• Wednesday-What'sUP September 1 - 07:43 pm

When you're cruising along the Portage channel, heading out to Lake Superior, you expect to catch glimpses of some waterfront homes along the way. You just don't expect to see a home for barnyard animals right there on the waterfront, like George Hoyem did recently. I can't count the number of times I've traveled that channel and admired this structure, which seems to be well-built with sandstone and a surprisingly large number of windows for a barn. According to George, this is Messner's barn and I'd have to say the Messner's farm animals were pretty lucky to enjoy a spot like this!

Morning!

Some people don't live in homes this nice.

Arcadian: rustic

Arcadian: A mine located near Ripley!! ;-) Sorry Margaret, I couldn't resist, hehe.


One of the biggest walleye I ever took out of the Portage came from just about where that pic was taken; funny thing was I wasn't even fishing for walleye that day, but for smallmouth. I guess you just never know what's on the other end of the line until you get it to the boat. All I knew was I had something big......

This has to be one of the best looking barns I have seen. My horses would be honored with a home such as this!

Thanks Capt. Paul, and I knew about the mine. It's the Victorian in me that oozes out from time to time.

Great photo! Wish I was there right now!

Can someone tell me if the old Coast Guard station on the waterway next to McLain Park is still there, or have the buildings been torn down? I heard awhile ago that the Park wanted to take over the land. Who owns the property now?

Arcadia was a region of ancient Greece that very often served as a setting for pastoral poetry. This type of poetry typically idealised simple and innocent country living and compared it to the harsh and corrupt life in a city. Thus, as Arcadia was this idyllic rural location used so often in Greek literature, the term Arcadian has come to describe a place of simple natural beauty or a person who is living a simple country life.

George:

The buildings are still there but haven't been kept up and appear to be . There is a cable across the entrance with signs that say it is U.S. Government property and not to trespass. Just outside the gate but still on the federal land is a navigation attenae/transmitter site that is fenced in.

I'm sure the state would like to be able to take that part over and expand the park as they did years ago which resulted in people not being able to access the breakwaters without going through the state park.

George,

I walked around the old Coast Guard property at the North Entry a couple of years ago. I was thnking that it would be a great place to live if you could purchase it.

However, water is now well up on the land & sidewalk next to the boathouse, and I think you'd need to hire the Army Corps of Engineers to do some major work to fix this. Unfortunately, this would probably not be practical for most folks.

Cheers, Bill

Arcadian Mine-------check the old mine remnants on Arcadian Hill. Not really close to Ripley.
Maybe they are the old Denby Mines on the hill?

My mistake, the adit portal to Arcadian is in Ripley. The actual mine itself is up on top of the hill, much like Quincy's layout. New Arcadian is quite a ways off to the north.

Betsy and late Mike Messner are my God parents. I remeber as a child going to this barn. they had a giant bull on the lower level. Then mike turned it into a beautiful wood working shop.To this day, (at close to 50) I still get a birthday card from my God mother Betsy--wishing you well Betsy,love, your God son

What fine craftsmanship! Just beautiful!

Somewhere there's another photo of this barn from a different perspective which is very nice too. It was on pasty cam within the last 2 years I guess. Maybe someone remembers where it is.

Well, thought I would post on this pretty pic. Usually I'm lurking in the brush enjoying all the fantastic pictures and responses. I too remember the Messner Farm. Been years since I was on the property. My Grandfather and Great Grandfather who organized the Lake Superior Beagle Club used to hold field trials at the farm. Although this was well before my time too.(Pre 1940) My Great Uncle Clyde Messner who was my Grandfathers brother in law got permission from the Messners to hold the trials there on occassion. Last time I was on that property would have been over 30 years ago with my grandfather. What wonderful memories. Thanks!

Great pic!
I think this is right next to my Aunt & UNc's farm at Princess Point....and they have a most awesome barn at their place as well. Those farmers must have been pretty prosperous back in the day...I love it!!

Pasty Cam Guest Photos :: Robert C Wetton :: 21

Bright, beautiful morning here on the shores of Lake Erie this a.m.8-31-06
have a good weekend!!!