John Miller
Mushroom houses are whimsical structures that resemble giant mushrooms, often with stout stems, doorways, and windows. These unique homes can be found in various parts of the world, from Perinton, New York, to Charlevoix, Michigan, and even in fictional realms. Earl Young, an enigmatic master builder, is known for his iconic mushroom houses in Charlevoix, earning the neighbourhood the nickname fairy tale village. These houses are characterised by their organic aesthetic, use of stone, and distinctive roofs. Beyond the real world, mushroom houses are a common feature in fantasy settings, inhabited by gnomes, pixies, and other magical creatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Charlevoix, Michigan; Perinton, New York |
| Designer/Architect | Earl Young |
| Number of Structures | 28 |
| Common Names | Gnome Homes, Hobbit Houses, Mushroom Houses |
| Notable Features | Boulder-lined front windows, low doorways and ceilings, wavy cedar shake roofs |
| Notable Structures | The Thatch House, Boulder Manor, Half House, 306 Park Ave., Castle House |
| Cultural References | The Smurfs, Ice and Fire (Minecraft), Nana Moon, Magi-Nation, The Light Fantastic, October Daye, Kabouter Plop, Planescape, Pathfinder, Rifts, World Tree (RPG) |
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What You'll Learn
Earl Young's Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix, Michigan
Earl Young, born in 1889 in Mancelona, Michigan, moved to Charlevoix with his family at the age of 11. He graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1908 and briefly studied architecture at the University of Michigan. Young was a self-taught builder who began his craft in 1919, designing and building custom homes in Charlevoix, Michigan. His first project was his personal home on Park Avenue, which has been dubbed the “Mushroom House” due to its unique roofline that resembles a mushroom cap.
Over his 50-year career, Young built 26 residential houses and four commercial properties, mostly in Charlevoix. His homes are characterised by their use of natural materials, such as limestone, fieldstone, boulders, and cedar shake roofs. Young's designs often featured wide, wavy eaves, exposed rafter tails, and a horizontal emphasis. He was known for his unusual work methods, drawing blueprints in the sand instead of on paper, and designing the roof first and then fitting the house underneath. Young's small stature is reflected in the homes' low doorways and ceilings.
The "Half House" is considered the smallest of Young's houses and a quintessential example of his style. Other notable homes include the "Thatch House", the "Owl House", named for its owl-like front, and the "Castle House" on the shores of Round Lake. Young also built commercial properties, including the Weathervane Inn restaurant, the Weathervane Terrace Inn & Suites, and Hotel Earl.
The Charlevoix Historical Society offers walking tours of Earl Young's "Mushroom Houses", which are a popular attraction in the area. These tours take visitors past some of Young's most famous creations, including the official "Mushroom House" at the corner of Grant Street and Clinton Street, considered his residential masterpiece. The tours last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours and provide a unique insight into Young's whimsical and organic architectural style.
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The Mushroom House in Perinton, New York
The Mushroom House, also known as the Pod House, is an iconic residence in Perinton, New York. The house was constructed for the attorney-artist couple Robert and Marguerite Antell between 1970 and 1972 and was designated a town landmark in 1989. The house comprises four 80-ton pods that rest on reinforced concrete stems ranging from 14 to 20 feet in height. Each pod has a different function, with one serving as the living and dining area, one as the kitchen, and two as sleeping areas. The unique design of the house, inspired by the stems of Queen Anne's Lace, has made it a popular attraction and it has been featured in television programs and books.
The Mushroom House is located in a moderately-wooded ravine adjacent to Powder Mills Park. The structure is made of concrete and polyurethane and stands on fourteen 20-foot stems of steel-reinforced concrete. The exterior of the pods is brown, resembling mushrooms, and the sides of each pod's "cap" are entirely windowed. Mrs. Antell, a potter, was heavily involved in the construction process and handcrafted over 9,000 ceramic tiles found throughout the house.
The Mushroom House has changed hands several times since it was first built. In 2015, it was on the market for approximately two years before finally finding a buyer at a listing price of $629,000. This was a significant decrease from the original asking price of $1.5 million. The house is considered a treasure by the community and has even been imagined as a potential museum, conference centre, or public attraction.
The Mushroom House stands out as an unusual and visually striking structure in the Greater Rochester region. Its organic design and imaginative approach to architecture have made it a beloved part of the community and a popular destination for those seeking a unique glimpse into the world of whimsical homes.
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Mushroom Houses in fiction
Mushroom houses have long been a feature of fiction, from fairy tales set in the Black Forest to J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbiton, Toad Hall in "Wind in the Willows", and Smurf Village. In the real world, the town of Charlevoix, Michigan, is home to a collection of whimsical mushroom-shaped buildings designed by self-taught local builder Earl Young. These structures, known as the Mushroom Houses, have become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors likening them to something out of a fairy tale or fantasy novel.
Mushrooms have also made their way into science fiction, fantasy, and horror stories, often serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of tampering with nature. For example, in Star Trek, Spock recommends purging records of the spore drive, which allows for near-instant travel but causes great pain to the living being symbiotic with the spores. Similarly, in the video game and television series "The Last of Us", mushrooms symbolise old and modern fears of sickness, zombification, and societal collapse.
In recent years, mushrooms have gained attention for their potential applications in space exploration. NASA is exploring the idea of growing mushroom structures on the moon and beyond, taking advantage of their self-propagation and radiation-shielding qualities. This "mycostructure" technology uses fungal-based materials for construction and has been proposed as a solution to the challenges of constructing habitats in space due to their lightweight and radiation-resistant properties.
Mushrooms continue to capture the imagination of writers and creators, with their unique characteristics and versatility making them a perfect fit for a wide range of stories and settings, from fantasy and fairy tales to science fiction and horror. Whether it's a charming mushroom house in a whimsical village or a futuristic habitat on the moon, mushroom-inspired structures have become an enduring feature of fiction and storytelling.
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Mushroom Houses in games
Mushroom Houses are a well-known feature in the Super Mario Bros. franchise. These houses are often referred to as Toad Houses, as they are manned by Toadsworth and provide helpful items to Mario and Luigi.
There are several different types of Mushroom Houses, distinguished by colour: Red, Green, Orange, Blue, and White. Each colour corresponds to a different type of power-up or minigame that the player can access. For example, in the Red Mushroom House, there is a minigame where Mario or Luigi throws a ball to hit a bubble at the top of the screen. In the Orange Mushroom House, Toadsworth creates a Mega ? Block, which, when hit, stores a Mega Mushroom.
The White Mushroom House is particularly notable as it contains a single box with a P-Wing in odd-numbered worlds or an Anchor in even-numbered worlds. In Super Mario Advance 4, after the player clears the game, a Mushroom Coin shows the number of coins needed to reveal the White Mushroom House.
Mushroom Houses can be unlocked in various ways. In some cases, they appear after completing all 80 levels in the game or by collecting a certain number of coins. In multiplayer, players can make a Mushroom House appear by hitting the flag at specific time digits, such as 00, 11, or 22.
The Mushroom Houses play a significant role in the gameplay of Super Mario Bros., offering power-ups, minigames, and additional challenges for players to explore and engage with.
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Mushroom Houses in art
Mushroom houses are a popular theme in art, often depicted in whimsical and fairy tale-inspired illustrations and paintings. These artistic creations showcase the unique charm of mushroom houses, blending fantasy and creativity in captivating ways.
One notable example of mushroom houses in art can be found in the Pure Charlevoix Collection, which celebrates the iconic Mushroom Houses designed by Earl Young. These artworks, available through LindaBossFineArt.com, offer a charming glimpse into the whimsical world of mushroom-inspired architecture.
Numerous artists have also created enchanting paintings featuring mushroom houses. For instance, Lisa S. Baker's "Mushroom Fairy Cottage" painting captures the magical essence of a fairy tale setting. Similarly, Debbi Wetzel's "Fairyland and Fireflies" painting transports viewers to a whimsical landscape where fireflies dance around a charming mushroom cottage.
Other artists explore imaginative themes, such as Francois Ruyer's "Little House in the Woods," which depicts a cozy mushroom home nestled in a mystical forest. Debbie Criswell's "Froggy's Home" painting embraces the cottagcore aesthetic, presenting a charming mushroom cottage surrounded by nature. Esoterica Art Agency also contributes to the theme with their "Shroom House" and "Mushroom Home" paintings, offering unique interpretations of the mushroom house motif.
Mushroom houses continue to inspire artists and enthusiasts alike, with platforms like Pinterest brimming with ideas for mushroom-themed crafts, illustrations, and fairy doors. The whimsical nature of these structures captivates imaginations, inviting exploration through various artistic mediums. Whether in paintings, sculptures, or digital art, mushroom houses evoke a sense of fantasy and wonder, enchanting viewers of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom houses can be found in Charlevoix, Michigan. They are also known as Gnome Homes or Hobbit Houses.
The Charlevoix mushroom houses were designed by Earl Young, a University of Michigan dropout and self-taught architect.
Young used materials such as limestone, fieldstone, boulders, and cedar for the roofs. He also used stones from Lake Michigan.
There are 28 Charlevoix mushroom houses, all of which are privately owned.
No, the Charlevoix mushroom houses are not open for inside tours. However, there are five that can be rented.
