• Wednesday-What'sUP July 3 - 09:06 am

Today's photos and info about them, come to us from Sue Uren, who sent them in, wondering if the Pasty Cam had ever done a story on this unique Freighter Cottage in Detour. I was intrigued to say the least.

The story of the cottage begins back in 1923, when the steamboat, John W. Boardman was built. She was re-christened the Lewis G. Harriman in 1965. During it's entire time sailing on the Great Lakes, it was used to haul bulk cement and was instrumental in the building of the Poe Lock at Sault Ste. Marie, MI, in 1968. Fast forward to 2003, she was then retired to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, to be sold for scrap. It was in 2005 when the hull was transported by barge, then hauled up on the beach to where it now sits, overlooking the St. Mary's River and Potagannising Bay. That was the beginning of its journey to become a "cottage" and is still a work in progress today.

Sue's top photo was taken in 2010, when the owners were in the process of scraping the white paint off the hull, so that they could repaint it in the original dark green color called, Huron Green, for the Huron Cement Co. of Alpena. In Sue's second photo, taken in 2013, you can see that the new paint job is complete and if you look closely, you can also see the owner in the lower right, next to his "cottage".

To read a more complete story about this amazing journey from sailing the Great Lakes, to being settled on the shores, watching other freighters sail by daily, click here: Mackinac Journal. An older article, with accompanying photos can be found here: Interlochen.org.

Thank you Sue, for bringing this to our attention and sharing the photos and information.

What a great story!! Thanks for sharing!!

What an interesting undertaking...at first I thought it was an ATV (all-terrain vessel)

That is cool.

What an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing, Sue.

What a cool, cool place to live! Almost as cool as
a lighthouse... Or maybe even better... Can't
decide. Anyway, thanks for bringing this to our
attention. Can't wait to read the details later
today when I have more time.

I remember seeing the story about that on the Boatnerd site when it was being undertaken. Also have an email friend who lives in DeTour, who kept us updated on the progress. Really neat place!

Just wondering, is this considered a second residence for property tax purposes or is it registered like a boat?

My ultrament dream home!!!

I meant my ultimate dream home. Can't spell.

What a neat story. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us, Sue. Mary thanks for the sites with more info. Now to get to Detour and see what else is going on there.

Wow...what a story and the pictures are beyond awesome! Such an interesting idea.

Alex--It would take a "tax" man to ask such a question. But it is an interesting question.

What an interesting and amazing story! I just love the pics and the whole concept!

Thank you for the interesting story, Sue and Mary.

It's incredible they were able to keep so much of the superstructure and antennas intact. Looks great! Sure makes me miss the Pilot House in Copper Harbor.

Flarich: is your comment a question? If so, then
relating to tax matters, and in answer to your question (if that is what it is), the Michigan property tax credit may apply if this is the primary residence of the homeowner or may become as such in the future. This credit can be worth up to $1,200.00, if qualified.

Great restoration!

Here's an inside look at the 'cottage': http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newsthumbs/newsthumbs_harriman-3.htm

Here's the rest of the story:

http://www.boatnerd.com/news/newsthumbs/newsthumbs_harriman.htm