• Tuesday-What'sUP March 16 - 02:50 pm

Stanton Township Park is located near Toivola, about 16 miles southwest of Houghton. It boasts campsites, both with and without electrical hook-ups, swimming, picnic facilities and a sandy beach, not this time of year to be sure, but they are there! Like any other campground, Stanton Park also has rules that visitors need to adhere to and of course there's a fee for staying overnight at the campsites. Joyce Tormala recently visited the park and snapped a shot of the regulations and the Pay Pole, where you need to deposit your fee, should you decide to spend the night. That's something you don't see too much now-a-days... the honor system as a means to pay your way, thus saving the need to have someone on duty to collect each day. I wonder if Joyce had enough cash with her to slip in the slot, in case she decided to stay the night in order to get some good sunrise shots? If not, I'm thinking she could probably leave an I.O.U. and pay for the stay later! :->

OK...for a second I thought the sign said $700 and $500 per site. Then I realized the decimal point was missing. Well, I HOPE they are missing. Either that or those are steepest camping prices I have ever seen! LOL
I hope everyone is having a good day!
Best wishes,
Renee$

OK....that $ after my name in the previous post was the result of a cat stepping on the keyboard as I was typing.....opppps. :-)

looks a lil cold to be out camping !!

This is one of my favorite parks! I love to go there when the winds are high and the waves crashing into the beach! Wish i was there right now!

Hey, my dog is going to love this place! Puddy almost always wants to be under controlled! Okay, okay, so I know we're sort of picking on the sign maker here....I must admit, though, that this home-made sign, along with the adherence to a pay-as-you-stay honor system gives this place all the charm you could ask for.

I'm quite ready for some camping weather! Spring is here in a week!

Looks like a wonderful place, but like Renee$ (appropriate slip, I would say!) $700 per night seems a bit steep.

but what I really enjoyed was "pets must be leashed and under controlled"!

I wouldn't know today, but back in '92 on our cross-country trip, we paid more often than not on the honour pole, between five and twelve bucks per night, the latter in parks that offered showers and laundromats. Glad to see there's achievable lodging in the UP, makes that future trip look more likely to happen.
Unless I take up on the offer to stay in a cabin.

Yep, with S.A. and such you'd better be, maija!

I do think it is super great that places like this still exist and can operate on an honor system!

Hey Danbury: I may be undercontrolled, but I'll never be leashed!

Hey, we've got an extra room in Eagle Harbor the week of July 3. If we're lucky the pasty picnic will take place during that time. Swim on over and we'll put you up for the price of a couple dinners.

And I thought I was the only owner of a typing cat.

Mary, That is a great map! What is the source? I'd like to print and get more of the Keweenaw... Thanks!

If you checked the What's UP section today, there's a note from Charlie setting the record straight that I get everything lined up for the next day and Charlie does the actual posting on the website in the wee hours of the morning! Sometimes he adds something wonderful like today's map, so I'll have to defer to Charlie for his source! :->

Where is the map from- so much detail - Arcadian Hill, Mason etc.

The pay pole...OMG, I haven't seen those since I was a youngin...really really youngin. But I remember hubby telling me that they still have the pay poles in norhtern Michigan in some of the state forest camp grounds.

Love the map Mary...now that's what I call a map. So how was your trip home?

The trip home was uneventful, so that means good. Although it was quite depressing to be in summertime mode one day (shorts and tank tops), then with each stop along the way having to add more clothes! Driving home is better than flying though, since your body has a chance to acclimate gradually! Thanks for asking... :->

The sign reminds me of traveling across M-28 at Three Lake in 2002 and across the road from Ruth Lake a new home was being built with a large stone parking lot and the portable sign stated..PARKING PERMITTED AND PAY AS YOU CAN...Needless to say I made a quick Youie and took a picture that can not be located at this minute.

that should read Three Lakes...

I played peek a boo with the young female deer behind this pole in late October 2004. A beautiful, peaceful place with vibrant fall colors. The Lake was blue and the beach walk wonderful....a bonus day.

I have to wonder about a map that shows Tolonen Hill but not
Hancock. I must have missed the Tolonen Hill exit on my last visit
home.

Speaking of the "honor system" and doing the right thing... Yesterday morning I had a phone call from a man in Chicago, named Eric Miller. He tried to pronounce my daughter's name and asked if she were in Chicago. He had found her wallet outside a coffee shop on his way to the train station. Her driver's license and credit card were inside along with $1.00.

When he got to work, he looked on the internet for our name and city and started calling. Luckily he found the right number with the first call.

I called my daughter at work and gave her his number to call for working out a time to retrieve the wallet. She hadn't even realized that she had lost it by the time she got to work. Last evening her wallet was returned with "everything" intact.

Who would have ever thought that she would get her wallet and contents back the same day in Chicago. It just goes to show that there are still lots of honest people in the world, even in the big city. Eric Miller, of Chicago, Thank you so much for being honest and helping my daughter. One good turn deserves another. Pass it on.

They use pay poles for access to certain parts of the Cleveland National Forest here in Southern California. You put your money in an envelope and write your car license # on it. A piece of the envelope tears off to make a receipt that you put on your dashboard. All of the cars I see in the lots seem to have paid.

I've encountered pay poles at other National Forests, including the Jefferson, Washington and Monongahela in Virginia and West Virginia. Also, campgrounds in Ontario, Quebec and New England. The Yoop is special, but not always unique.

Our Little League Baseball team used to travel from Dollar Bay,which is on the map,to Stanton back in the 60's.Them farm boys could realy play some ball.I bet some Farmer's still put produce out along the driveway to pay on the Honer System.Always wondered about this? We park our cars in the driveway,and drive our cars on the parkway.Win or lose we always got a icecream cone at the Frosty Top in $ Bay from Harry.

Honor system parking at Houghton Airport too. Place your money in the enveleope, and drop in the box, as I recall.

For years my sister ran a greenhouse in Ewen MI and both her and her husband worked, they would leave a bowl with change in it and people would come and pick up what they wanted and pay on the Honor System. They raised Five children so YES there are plenty of Honest people out there and especially in the U.P.

Is this the "Agate Beach" park?

No this isn't the Agate Beach park. Actually there are two Agate Beaches in the Copper Country. One up in the Keweenaw and one in the Toivola area. The one in Toivola does have camping though. Both are beautriful!

Looks to me like there are a lot of roads on that map better traveled by snow mobile than car. I do see the intersection where the Nash had to be put back on it's wheels by the plow drivers before the oil ran out though.

My brush with the honor system was this past Summer. A lady puts out sunflowers, and other flowers, under an umbrella table at the road and a cigar box. Honor System. Very reasonable suggested prices too, like $2 or $3 a bunch! It always works, I always round up, just because of the effort she makes! She even puts the flowers in vases and suggests to take the vase if you need it, just please bring it back. It doesn't get more honest than that!

Wow, my grandparents used to have a camp south of the park right on the lake. Spent many happy weekends there on Misery Bay.

Neil Issacsons golf course just out of Ahmeek on 5 mile point roads also honor system--great place to golf

I would like to know how many sites they have at that Stanton Park. Thanks a buunch!

You forget how nice that there is still an honor system in this great big country. I forget what it's like after living in the city for so long.

Rich,

Here is the website to the Agate Beach Park in Stanton.

http://www.keweenaw.info/details_427_agatebeachpark.aspx

Incidently, you will also note that the picture on the website of the beach is also by Joyce. Congrats Joyce on such beautiful photography. :)

Rich,

Another link to the Agate Beach Park/campground. Hmmm...doesn't say how many campsites are available, but does give a contact number.

http://www.houghtonhistory.org/camping.html

Greetings from sunny California. This is indeed the Agate Beach Park in Toivola. I grew up on a farm just a couple of miles from the spot this photo was taken at. That is the concession stand in the background. I haven't lived there in years, but will do so again sometime in the future. Joyce takes some great photos for sure. My Aunt Gerty ran the concession for a few years. Before her it was a nice lady named Diane. My Mom, Diane and I drove to Marquette to pick up the stove and frosty machine for the stand when it originally opened. Early 70's. I don't know it's current status, but Iv'e had a few good burgers, and cones out of the front window. My Mom, and my Aunt have since gone 'home'. Today is my Mom's birthday. How nice to see a familiar piece if God's country today, where I spent so many summer evenings with Mom.

ddl-I'm glad your Chicago posting was a positive one. There are plenty of honest people here (and the other major cities too)-but since crime is what makes news it's probably rare that you hear the good stuff.

PS-we have "honor boxes" here for parking lots-but if you don't put your $$ in you'll get a ticket!

-Born in the UP, raised in Chicagoland

I had forgotten that today was Grandma's birthday. Thanks Uncle Dan.

It is providential that pasty-cam has a picture from Toivola today.

Hi Ben,
What a surprise to see your posting. I surf this site often...post seldom. I just enjoy the awesome photos. And that photo just flooded memories back to me. I practically lived at Agate Beach, and it didn't cost anything back then. It was in it's true rough form. I cleared plenty of brush down there when I worked on summer youth programs. (By the way Grandma would be 82 today) The other Stanton Park is at the breakwaters over by Freda/Redridge area. Past Schmidt's Corner, Covered Drive, etc. Have a wonderful day all.

We also have an honor system in Nw ILL. There"s a farm between Freeport and Rockton, near Beloit. We buy sweet corn there and if no one's home we just leave the money in a box. Can make change if needed. You're right tho, good people don't sell newspapers. Only bad stuff.

I spent a lot of time at agate beach during early to mid 1970's when I was in grade school. My Mother and her sisters have a camp there. I remember the great smells coming from the concession stand in the background. Hamburgers and onion rings along with vanilla cones with a chocolate topping.

Several years ago,BPP (Before Pay Pole)) the kids and I were walking past one of the campsites when they noticed something hanging from a low limb:money! Sure enough, three dollars were rolled inside a note of apology from the campers for leaving the site before the caretaker came to collect.
The concessions stand is now used during the annual Jamboree. Folks from the community volunteer their services and the proceeds benefit recreation in the area.
We spent most of our time and all of our money at the stand. I am drooling on the keyboard as my mind wanders back 30 years...HUH? It seems like yesterday! The stand-it will always be the STAND-has been closed since the early 1990's,maybe-I am not sure. We do miss the food off the grill,fries and rings and,oh,the many varieties of ice cream treats! Good stuff. Great people!
I'm sure you Naasko "kids" remember Levi's little store in the hall. Geyser's,Tophats,Nehi,Frostie-I'm dripping again!
I need a dose of Agate Beach at least twice a week,52 per year,in order to survive!
The sign is worthy of a smile,I know.
Thank you for the post,comments,smiles and memories.
I took a few moments to remember,in detail,Mrs. Naasko and her contributions to this community and I can't stop!

All State and/or National Forest Campgrounds in Michigan have pay poles for the campsites. You tear off a form with envelope attached at the sign board, fill it out, insert cash or check, fill out the other half of form which clips on a post at your site. Us seniors get a discount rate!

Yes as Dave says there are a few farmers in the outlying areas, around here anyhow, that leave veggies, grain bags, straw bales etc. on side the road with a tin can and price sheet!

There is a family owned Dairy farm just outside of Kalkaska MI that sells milk, other dairy products right from a little roadside building with no one there! Coolers, price sign, a metal barrel with a slot for the money, change box, calculator to use! Milk in old fashioned glass bottles, cream on the top! no hormones or preservatives. Their own cows, feed and hay from their own land! Just like the "good ol days"! All honor system business! Good stuff too!

Mary,

One corection is needed: On this shore one would have a view of the setting sun. Have watched several there, especially with a bonfire nearby!

OK....one more Naasko kid from Toivola? I too look at this site.
Ides of March was indeed mother's birthday. Appropriate that
Pasty could post from Agate Beach Park on this day. Thank you
from Ben's dad and Dan's brother. Yes, the sun sets on this
beach.

Thanks Joyce for remembering mother, she cooked at Heikkinen
school for a long time.

I grew up in Toivola, down near Misery Bay. We knew 'Stanton Township Park' as AGATE BEACH. I took my wife and kids to Agate Beach back in February, and walked out on the ice banks. Very impressive.

There are still a few Pay Poles in Troll land too. A few summers ago I went to a county park on Lake Huron with my kids. We spent most of the day there and on the way out I had each of them drop a dollar in the pole. They asked why I had them do that since we didn't camp and I said we did spend all day there so I figured a partial payment couldn't hurt.

Joyce,
Thank you from me as well for remembering my Mom. She was a great lady, and a wonderful cook. I sure miss her, that good old time Finnish cooking, and the hospitality of the Copper Country/Yoop. I do remember Levi running the little store , very well. It always smelled like cigars in there. And had his dog Queenie with him. And thanks for posting all of the great photos. You do an awesome job.