Sarah Brown
Charlevoix, Michigan, is known for its whimsical Mushroom Houses, designed by the eccentric local architect Earl Young. Young's passion for boulders began in his childhood, and he would go on to build his unique homes from the stones and boulders lining the miles of shoreline in Northern Michigan. Over his 50-year career, Young built 26 residential houses and four commercial properties, each one different and designed to blend in with its natural surroundings. The homes feature wide, wavy eaves, exposed rafter tails, cedar-shake roofs, and low doorways and ceilings, reflecting Young's own diminutive stature. The Mushroom Houses have become a beloved attraction in Charlevoix, with visitors flocking to the town each year to admire and photograph these fairy-tale-like structures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of mushroom houses | 26-28 |
| Location | Charlevoix, Michigan |
| Architect | Earl Young |
| Style | Fairy tale, Hobbit Houses, Gnome Homes |
| Construction material | Stone, boulders, limestone, fieldstone, cedar-shake roofs |
| Notable houses | The Thatch House, Half House, 306 Park Ave., M. Sucher House |
| Tours | Self-guided, GEM car tours, Charlevoix Historical Society walking tours |
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What You'll Learn
- Charlevoix's Mushroom Houses are also called Hobbit Houses or Gnome Homes
- They were designed by Charlevoix native Earl Young
- Young built 26 residential houses and four commercial properties
- The houses are made of stone, limestone, fieldstone, and boulders
- They are unique, fascinating examples of architecture
Charlevoix's Mushroom Houses are also called Hobbit Houses or Gnome Homes
Charlevoix, Michigan, is home to a fairy-tale village of 28 "Mushroom Houses", also known as "Hobbit Houses" or "Gnome Homes". These unique structures were designed and built by Charlevoix native Earl Young, who grew up in the town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Young was an avid nature lover with a passion for boulders, which he would collect and study. This passion is reflected in his architectural work, as he constructed each house from the stones and boulders that line the miles of shoreline in Northern Michigan.
Young's Mushroom Houses are known for their whimsical and organic shapes, with walls of local stone and boulders, and cedar-shake roofs with lines that bend and twist like waves or growing tree branches. The houses seem to have sprung naturally from the surrounding soil, like mushrooms, giving them their name. Young meticulously chose the boulders that support the houses, and then built around them, giving each home a distinct personality.
The Mushroom Houses are located in or near downtown Charlevoix, with many accessible within walking distance from the town centre. They can be found in the Boulder Park neighbourhood, and several are available for overnight rentals. The Charlevoix Historical Society offers walking tours of the Mushroom Houses, and self-guided tour maps are also available from the Visitors Centre and the historical society museum.
Young's most famous Mushroom House is located at the corner of Clinton and Grant Streets and was built in 1951. This house has walls that are up to three feet thick and a unique roofline that gives the impression of a mushroom. Other notable Mushroom Houses include the Half House, which appears to be cut in half, and the Thatch Roof House, which features an impressive thatched roof and sweeping arching rooflines.
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They were designed by Charlevoix native Earl Young
The Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix, Michigan, were designed by Charlevoix native Earl Young. Young had an obsession with boulders from a young age, and this passion would later inform his unique approach to architecture and design. Young studied architecture at the University of Michigan but was not a registered architect. He designed homes that fit the site, rather than forcing the landscape to accommodate his designs, and built them using stones and boulders from the miles of shoreline in Northern Michigan.
Young's Mushroom Houses are small, cutesy stone cottages that seem as if they could have sprung naturally, like mushrooms, out of the surrounding soil. They are also sometimes called "Hobbit Houses" or "Gnome Homes". Over his fifty-year career, Young built 26 residential houses and four commercial properties, all of which are individually different. His signature designs include wide, wavy eaves, exposed rafter tails, cedar-shake roofs, and a horizontal emphasis.
Young's most famous Mushroom House, located at the corner of Clinton and Grant Streets, was built in 1951 and is perhaps the most photographed house in Charlevoix. Its walls are up to three feet thick. Other notable Mushroom Houses include the Half House, which appears to be cut in half along its property line, and 306 Park Ave., which has two chimneys that look like melting cement. Young also designed several Charlevoix hotels, including the Weathervane Terrace Inn and The Earl (formerly the Lodge Hotel).
Young's work has been recognised by the Charlevoix Historical Society, which offers walking tours of the Mushroom Houses, and by Trip Advisor, which named Mushroom House Tours the #1 "thing to do" in Charlevoix. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour using a map from the Visitors Centre or the Charlevoix Historical Society museum.
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Young built 26 residential houses and four commercial properties
The Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix, Michigan, were designed and built by Charlevoix native Earl Young, who grew up in the town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Young was an avid nature lover with an obsession with boulders. He constructed each house from the stones and boulders that line the miles of shoreline in Northern Michigan. Over his fifty-year career, Young built 26 residential houses and four commercial properties, all with individual designs.
Young's houses feature wide, wavy eaves, exposed rafter tails, cedar-shake roofs, and a horizontal emphasis in design. The walls of the houses are made of local stone and boulders, with lines that bend and twist like waves or growing tree branches. Young would meticulously choose the boulders that would support the houses, and then build around them, giving each house a distinct personality.
Young's Mushroom Houses are often referred to as "Hobbit Houses" or "Gnome Homes". They are mostly found in Charlevoix's Boulder Park neighbourhood, with several located within walking distance of downtown Charlevoix. Young's creations include the Weathervane Restaurant, the Weathervane Terrace Inn & Suites, and Hotel Earl (formerly the Lodge Hotel).
Young's most photographed house is the Mushroom House at the corner of Clinton and Grant Streets, built in 1951. This house has walls that are up to three feet thick. Young also built the Weathervane Hotel on the Pine River, which has two chimneys that look like melting cement. Other notable houses include the Half House, which appears to be cut in half, and the Thatch Roof House, which has sweeping arching rooflines.
Young's houses are a unique blend of arts and crafts and storybook styles with a touch of his own genius. They are a source of pride for Charlevoix, with the town offering walking tours of the Mushroom Houses and self-guided tour maps available at the Visitors Center.
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The houses are made of stone, limestone, fieldstone, and boulders
The Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix, Michigan, are made of stone, limestone, fieldstone, and boulders. These materials were sourced from the miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan. The houses' designer, Earl Young, was obsessed with boulders from a young age. He studied them, collected them, and dredged them from the lake, sometimes burying his favourite specimens for safekeeping. Young was an avid nature lover and constructed each house to blend in with its surrounding landscape.
The stone walls of the Mushroom Houses are distinct, with some up to three feet thick. The houses also feature cedar-shake roofs with lines that bend and twist like waves or growing tree branches. The boulders that support the houses were meticulously chosen by Young, and the houses were built around them, giving each one a distinct personality.
Young constructed 26 residential houses and four commercial properties over the course of his 50-year career. Each house is individually different and features his signature designs, including wide, wavy eaves, exposed rafter tails, and a horizontal emphasis in design.
The Mushroom Houses are a unique and fascinating example of architecture, blending something from arts and crafts and storybook styles with Young's eccentric genius. They are a popular attraction in Charlevoix, with visitors coming from all around to photograph the houses and take tours.
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They are unique, fascinating examples of architecture
The Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix, Michigan, are unique and fascinating examples of architecture. These structures, designed and built by Charlevoix native Earl Young, are an intriguing blend of art and science. Young's passion for nature and boulders is evident in his creations, with each house constructed from stones and boulders sourced from the miles of shoreline in Northern Michigan.
What sets these homes apart is their organic and whimsical aesthetic. With walls of local stone and boulders, and cedar-shake roofs with undulating lines, the houses resemble mushrooms sprouting naturally from the soil. Young's unconventional approach to architecture is further highlighted by his lack of blueprints and his preference for designing homes that harmonise with their natural surroundings.
The Mushroom Houses, also affectionately known as "Gnome Homes" or "Hobbit Houses," captivate visitors with their fairy-tale-like charm. One of the most iconic examples is the Thatch House, renowned for its impressive thatched roof and sweeping, arching rooflines. Another notable mention is the Half House, which appears to be uniquely split down the middle.
Young's attention to detail and incorporation of boulders into his designs are evident in the Weathervane Restaurant, which overlooks the drawbridge in Charlevoix. This structure stands out with its massive boulders and swooping roofline resembling a seagull in flight. Young's own residence at 306 Park Ave. is also noteworthy, featuring two chimneys that appear as if the cement is melting.
The Mushroom Houses are a testament to Young's creativity and his ability to merge art, nature, and architecture seamlessly. Each house, with its individual character and blend of arts and crafts and storybook styles, has earned its place as an architectural treasure in Charlevoix.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 26 to 28 mushroom houses in Charlevoix, Michigan.
The Charlevoix mushroom houses were designed by Charlevoix native Earl Young.
The mushroom houses are made of stone, including limestone, fieldstone, and boulders from the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
