• Sunday-What'sUP August 11 - 12:42 am

A few weeks ago our Pasty Cameo about Crestview told of crowds of visitors to Eagle River, mainly by way of the train that took a left at Phoenix. That was between 1909 and 1925. At the peak of this interest in Keweenaw's County Seat, a project was initiated to build a monument honoring Douglass Houghton, who had died offshore almost 70 years earlier. The memorial was dedicated August 12, 1914.

When our family moved to Eagle River another 70+ years later, we got to know the monument well, just across the street from our house. Weakening of the mortar joints caused some of the rocks to fall out, which we stored in our garage for several years. Then Pasty Central came along in 1996, and our pictures on the web got some attention to the need for repairs. A number of families donated to the cause. Now, more than 10 years later, the structure is still in good shape. We're looking forward to the 100 year mark in 2014, to possibly get a look at the time capsule in the base of the monument.

There is a nice story about the memorial in this month's "Superior Signal", the regular publication of the Keweenaw Historical Society. If you haven't joined yet, just remember: the sooner you pay a lifetime membership, the more you'll get your money's worth out of it.

Have a good week :o)

Morning cammers. If you've never been, the tour of the Copper Harbor lighthouse is a must-do for everyone. Although the boat ride, lighthouse, lightkeeper's house and exhibits are really worth the price of admission, I can't see something about Douglass Houghton without thinking about the place just north of the lighthouse where Houghton blasted rock during his visit here so many decades ago.

Something really amazing knowing you're walking along the same ground as Houghton...