The James Oliver Curwood Cabin, this building used by the famed Michigan author when he live here in Baraga County in the early 1920s.  The cabin was moved from its original site in the Arvon (Skanee) area by the Baraga County Historical Society in the early 1970s to the L'Anse Township Park.  The Park was rename the Curwood Park.  The cabin was dismantled in 1998, and will be relocated to the Society Museum site in Baraga.   It was here that the author wrote one of his books, "A Gentleman of Courage".

The Pinery Cemetery, the original burial cemetery for the Native Americans.  The Native American community would build houses over the remains of their departed members.  This house would contain food, water and some personal items that the person would need on their passage to the world beyond.  The NA believed that the journey would be three days in length and the person would need the items on this journey to eternity.

The famed "Red Rocks" between L'Anse and Baraga on US 41.   The Native Americans using the LacView Desert Trail, would arrive to the "Ance" and be  able to survey the settlements in both communities before making their decisions as to continue.  Situated on this bluff is the six story tall statue of Bishop Baraga for whom the county has been named.  This sandstone outcropping becomes a waterfall spectacular in the Spring as the Winter snows melt and cascade over the bluff often covering the roadway with the runoff.

Henry Ford believed that there should be a model community in the United States, and as he and his U.P. forest manager, Mr. Kingsford, were traveling he choose this site to create the town.  The steam operated mill provided employment and all employees and families lived in the village houses provided by Ford.  He also gave to each family a site to raise a garden, the village had its own school and was self contained.  The mill has been renovated by MTU and is scheduled to be open to the public for tours in 1998.

This pond was created by Henry Ford when he dammed the small creek and this became the source of the town's (Alberta) water supply.  It also provided water for the operation of the steam powered mill

The "Hot Pond", the washing of logs before they entered the mill to be sawed into lumber.  It has been reported when some logs were brought to the mill they were so large that the outer chute covering had to be removed for them to enter the mill.  The pond has been drained and filled for safety purposes.

The Sand Pointe Lighthouse being moved in 1897.  The light house it was determined was built too far inland and had to be moved "several rods" to its present location.  The Lighthouse served as a summer home for a local dentist and it was his efforts of reclaiming some of the point lost in the storm in the 1930s that lead to the discovery of ancient Mississippian Woodland Indian burial mounds.  The Lighthouse has been decommissioned and is presently owned the the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Community.  It has served as offices for the Tribal Council and at present, 1998, it is not being used.

For the hiking enthusiast, you will want to climb to the highest point in Michigan.  The state's two highest points are nearby "Twin Peaks", both Mt. Arvon and Mt. Curwood are located in the Huron Mountains in the Arvon area.  For direction to the Mountain, contact the local Tourist Association at 906-524-7444.

  You will want to enjoy the peaceful waters of the Bay between L'Anse and Baraga, you will enjoy the geese and swans as they too enjoy the water.   If you look around you don't be surprised to see a Bald Eagle or Blue Herons also enjoying the Bay.

The waterfalls certainly come alive in the rush of the Spring thaws, but winter also also gives beauty to Baraga County's waterfalls.  We enjoy an annual snowfall of well over 300 inches, over 390 inches in 1996-97.  This means for the snowmobile enthusiast there are over 150 groomed miles of trails and for the cross country skiers there are miles of unplowed roads and groomed trails to enjoy.  The Bay becomes tent city as the anglers battle the trout and other game fish.

"Big Erick's Bridge" frames the Spring rushing waters that are challenging the salmon run up stream.  This rushing water attracts not only the fist to their breeding grounds but the many anglers attempting their luck in catching and battling one of these tasty delights. 

The James Oliver Curwood Park in L'Anse Township is the home of the first trading post on the Bay.  The American Fur Trading Post was built here in 1837, one of the early managers, Mr. Crebassas was instrumental in bringing a young Catholic Priest to the early 1843.  The  priest founded his famed mission here and because of his impact the count was named in honor, Baraga.

The Hanka Homestead is a restored Finnish family home in Askel.  The Homestead has become a very popular destination of persons interested in seeing an early family's life style in the county.

My page would not be complete without a picture of what has become the most popular tourist attraction in Baraga County.  The "Shrine of the Snowshoe Priest".  You may visit the Shrine's web site at:  www.baragashrine.com , there you will learn about the efforts of this early missionary and also details about this must see attraction.

Pre-History or Early History of Baraga County?  The stone CAIRN seen in this photo taken in about 1900 shows one of the cairns that were built in the Pequaming area of Baraga County.  The stone structures were built for some unknown reasons by persons prior to the arrival of the white persons into the county.  The height of the cairn can be seen by the man standing along side of the stone pile.  The cairns were destroyed by the persons that were logging the area in the early 1950s and today only the stones, scattered on private property remain.

The stone cairns may be seen in the background of this party that was enjoying an outing at what was commonly called picnic point. 

I will update these five photos as more information is available.