• Wednesday-What'sUP August 26 - 07:11 am

You may have driven through the city of Houghton hundreds of times, but when you go for a boat ride alongside the town, it's an entirely different perspective you see. Chad Johnson recently had the opportunity to do just that and these are a few of the photos he snapped along the way. The rooflines, steeples and advertisements painted right on the buildings are something you just don't notice when you're smack dab in the midst of it all, but just look at what is there when it's viewed from a distance like this. Chad's photos today are just another reminder that we move too fast now-a-days and don't always take the time to notice the interesting places that surround us. So let's get out there and take it all in.

hi

When I was in Houghton the end of July, I took photos of some of the same structures. Downtown Houghton is constantly changing. My only disappointment was seeing those grand homes on US 41. When they were private homes, they were well maintained; now, they are in such disarray. Those stately homes gave an air of grand luster to the city. Maybe, they should look to Laurium and what they have done with their historical homes.

Joy, I just mentioned to my husband the other day the same remarks you made about the grand old homes on Houghton...how they used to look and now how they look. We've retired back up here and it saddens me to see this avenue looking like it does compared to how it used to look. Shame. Love the pics.

of course a lot of the homes are sorrity and fraternity homes. there is one that cleaned up some and moved the volley ball net and painted the house but, at least they are not empty and boarded up.

Beautiful buildings! Houghton has such gorgeous architecture, and it's refreshing to see it from the perspective of the canal. Thanks for sharing it!

Yes, the old homes on US 41 have gone downhill since the sororities and fraternities purchased them. It's too bad. I wonder if they could be encouraged or incented to clean up their act?

Ah yes, a little touch-up and a little paint and just when everything is looking perfect..."Food fight!"
Nice photos...the waterfront walkway is a nice place to get out and stretch.

I love that Church steeple! Is that a Catholic Church?

Sadly to restore and rennovate does not come cheap these days with materials, labor, etc.

What is the building at the bottom of the first picture, the glass-walled building. It looks like a restaurant with people seated inside. Can you tell me what that is?

A different view of the waterfront buildings. Love the advertisements on the buildings.

AJ - WI (Ajinwi):"
What is the building at the bottom of the first picture, the glass-walled building. It looks like a restaurant with people seated inside. Can you tell me what that is?"
As the sign says: "The Library Restaurant and Brew Pub".

The Library, what a place. Mom asks, "Where are you guys going?" The reply is; "To the Library, Mom." Mom thinks; (What great kids.) Hehehe!

As the sign says: The library Restaurant and Brew Pub, you must have the best computer screen, ;O), because I could not read the sign on the building. I just knew what it was.

mickill mouse (Ram4):
"As the sign says: The library Restaurant and Brew Pub, you must have the best computer screen, ;O), because I could not read the sign on the building. I just knew what it was."
Well, it does help to have the Firefox browser's "Image Zoom" add-on. <grin>

But as you say it also helps to just know the place. It has been there for decades — often with highly mixed reviews — especially since the fire.

When we were "UP" there in 2008 I didn't notice I. E. Swift still there! That store has been there in the same place forever it seems! I remember my brother and I got our first "Daisy" BB guns there in the 1940s! $3.50 each! As I recall it was the old man Swift himself that waited on us! (?)

I'll be there in about a week and was just
online studying buildings and roads. It's such a wonderful historic place as is the Keweenaw.
It will be a wonderful week for certain.
Good for Pasty Cam for posting this!

I see the Library Restaurant in the top picture
as spotted by others as well. I ate there years ago and it was wonderful but I see online that the reviews are poor. Is it worth a stop anymore
or should I go directly to Sumoui Restaurant?
Downtown is a gem with the old buildings. I know they have improved the streets this year as well.

Wes Scott (Travelnorth):
"Is it worth a stop [at the Library Restaurant] anymore or should I go directly to Sumoui [sic] Restaurant?"
I'd vote for Suomi Home Bakery & Restaurant! (Another Copper Country institution of many, many decades standing!) <smile>

Suomi ALWAYS has good food...never did care for the Library, but everyone I know loves the place...(As FRNash said above: "It has been there for decades — often with highly mixed reviews" — )

Everytime we use to come up here, before my mom passed away 4 years ago and before we moved up here 9 months ago, Bill always stopped at Soumi to pick up a couple of loafs of Nisu. My mom looked forward to it, too.

Suomi prices are still like they were 10 years ago pretty much.
Same crowd too :)

Thanks much!! Suomi it will be! I can't wait
to eat there. I'm taking some people along
that have never ever been in the U.P at all.
This should really open their eyes to see all
that the U.P has to offer. I'm certain they
will really enjoy it.

Wes Scott (Travelnorth):
"I'm taking some people along that have never ever been in the U.P at all. This should really open their eyes to see all that the U.P has to offer."

Well in that case, I have a few more suggestions, minor Copper Country secrets, that will give your guests some feeling for the grand elegance of life in the Copper Country in its "Golden Age". (Quite a contrast to the daily life of the miners of that era, eh? <smile>):

1. The Calumet Theater; Tours.
2. Laurium Manor Inn; Tours.
If your guests are truly unfamiliar with the Copper Country, these two sites will blow their minds with a magical trip, beyond their wildest imagination, back to the turn of the century, ca. 1900! Try to do both of the tours, they'll be an awesome experience! (I feel quite a strong connection as my maternal grandmother was on the kitchen staff at the Hoatson's Mansion shortly after it was completed, circa 1908-1909 and my great uncle, J.W. Nara was a prominent professional photographer in the area during that grand era.)

In a similar vein, and from the same era, be sure to check out Lindell Chocolate Shop in Lake Linden.

I could go on at great length, but someone's already done the leg work, so I'll just yield to Hunt's Guide to Michigan's UPPER PENINSULA.

I would also recommend obtaining a copy of Hunt's Map Guide to Michigan's UPPER PENINSULA, an invaluable reference at a mere $6.95; you can probably find it in a number of places in the UP as well as by mail.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks much! I didn't know about the Chocolate Shop in Lake Linden. The Theater in Calumet is a real gem as are the old homes in Laurium. Now I'm excited about the trip. Love the history.