I was taking some after-construction photos of the Ontonagon breakwater this week, and as our quickly changing weather would have it, I caught the structure being tested by some strong waves. People passing through Ontonagon often mistake the light at the end of the pier to be our lighthouse, but it is actually far inland, surrounded on three sides by the Stone Container paper mill.

I'm not sure the Army Corps Of Engineers are going to see what they expected in the photos I took. Those waves rolling in front of the lighthouse are pretty big, even after having passed the wave attenuator that was built this summer. It is pretty hard to tame Mother Nature.

Ahhh....The Lake!!! Nothing like seeing Gitchee Gumee (sp?) a little riled up. It seems like mankind can hardly tame her when she wants to act up. I can feel the wind and cold spray in my face.

As a native Ontonagonite these photos bring back memories of life growing up there right on the lake. I get back there twice a year and every time experience the splendor and mystery of the Big Lake. I have stood by the lake in Ontonagon in the midst of a November fury, when the roar of the waves made it impossible to speak with someone immediately beside you. The word "awesome" is overused badly, but it does desecribe moments like that.

Hey Mike, better get a strong boat to mess with that lake. It's so powerful.

Stone Container merger with Jefferson Smurfit several years ago, they are now referred to as Smurfit-Stone. Great Pictures!!!
Heading up to the UP this weekend, better turn the clock back 10 years...

This site is WONDERFUL! So very nice to get a small taste of the U.P. each day. First site I go to each and every morning.

A small taste is much, much better than no taste at all...

Any pictures past or present of the Engadine area?

Thanks Dan...fabulous pictures...the gales of November!! When we were kids we were always out on the pier and sometimes would swim across the river from pier to pier! In the summertime, those waves would be a challenge as we would try to either dive into them or jump over! They have tours of the lighthouse in the summertime and it is now being preserved by the Historical Society; if you visit the museum, you will see a lot of history of it. My great grandfather (Stripe) was the keeper there for a time...need to do some research to keep for the family history.

Neat photos.

Brrrr.... Sure looks cold! I was born in Ontonagon so have a tender spot for it, even though I didn't live there long enough. Great pictures!

The wind sure whips the lake into a frenzy! Anyone in the Ontonagan area - stop into the InnTowne pharmacy and say "your sister Greta says hi" to my brother John the pharmacist. Spice up his day a little!

Probably the worst part of being at that location is the nasty smell from the paper mill. That steam from behind the lighthouse is a waste treatment facility. The mill smells like rotten eggs. I definitely don't miss the cold wind, even after 20 years away.

The mill smell is better (or at least less bad!) nowadays, I think. They must have put more scrubbers on. Still not the best on days when the wind is from that quarter.

What you can't see in this pic is as Dan says--it is quite a bit inland. When the lighthouse was built, the lake was about 50 feet from the front door.

The Historical Society is in the process of restoring it to its condition of around 1940. To put it back to the original would mean ripping out all of the electric, etc.

Anybody know what is going on up at Michigan Tech? Heard they had a power outage today and cancelled all classes. Kinda' concerned about my son who is travelling home for the Thanksgiving holiday tonight and I can't get into the MTU web sight. Any info regarding that and the driving/weather conditions up there from any Yoppers would be greatly appreciated.

Yep, we've gotten a couple extra days of vacation :)The power was out all day at Tech. The weather is nice for Thanksgiving break, in Houghton anyway.

I remember listening to Jan Tucker on the radio back about 20 years ago....from Ontonogon

I am formerly from Calumet, Maiden name Virginia Rasinowich, married name Hartselle - I have lived in Florida for 42 years but love where I am from.
I am co-founder of the Yooper Club of Florida and we always have a picnic here in FL on the first Sun. of March every year, so if you know anyone that would like to come that is a Yooper and will be in FL in March please have them write to me, Virginia Hartselle - 1360 Nimitz Ct. - Rockledge FL 32955 Thanks - Also we will be going to Calumet in July for our all school reunion. of Calumet High School and Sacred Heart High School.

To Techie Mom, Mid-Michigan:

Follow this link: The Daily Mining Gazette - Local News for Friday Nov 22, 2002 then scroll down to the headline as reads:"Powered up: Electricity restored at Tech; classes canceled"

My husband and I were just talking about the great pasties that are served in Ontonagon. We have eaten them in a restaurant in the downtown, but we can't recall the name of the place. We were frequent visitors in the late 60's and early 70's and the last time was probably in the early 80's that we visited Ontonagon. That restaurant also had great banana cream pie. Can anyone help me with the name of the restaurant and is it still in business?

Jane - -

You're thinking of Syl's Cafe, which appeared on the Pasty Cam several years ago. **Great Pasties**

Just tasted Syl's huge cinnamon buns. They were perfect... Will have to take a short trip some day to pick up a handful. :) Thanks Syl's

If you were not aware, Dan Urbanski passed away this summer (2004). These lovely pictures are among dozens of discussions which Dan started here on the Pasty Cam. We sure miss him.

Very fitting to remember Dan on this Thanksgiving Day. I am very thankful to him and all the photographers for the beautiful pictures that enrich all of our lives, and to all the editors for all their hard work.

The calendar is beautiful.