Who knew a quick work trip could turn into a mini adventure? Driving into downtown Charlevoix, we spotted Celeste Murdick’s Fudge & Candy Kitchen, and of course, I knew grabbing some fudge for the office would make me a hero. But business came first, so we pressed on.
As we cruised down Park Avenue (yep, there’s a Park Avenue here too!), I caught sight of a Mushroom House! These homes, designed by Earl Young, are like something straight out of a fairytale. I’d seen pictures but never laid eyes on one in person, so naturally, I told my co-worker Josh that we had to swing back for a photo op.
Meeting Over
After our meeting, I made a wrong turn (oops) and ended up near the hospital. But lucky us, it led to discovering another Mushroom House! This one, the Sucher House, was built in the late 1940s and is the largest of the Mushroom Houses at 2,400 square feet. It’s famous for its unique stone design and the story of how Young decided where to build: he wanted the view to be one-third sky, one-third water, and one-third grass. Talk about artistic vision!
With my picture-taking itch satisfied, we circled back to check out the first house I spotted. Known as the Thatch House, it was originally Earl Young’s home, built in 1920 using stones from nearby Castle Farms. In 2013, the new owner, Michael Seitz, gave it a serious makeover, including a charming rolling thatch roof. And right next door? The Half House, the smallest of Young’s creations, complete with a quirky story about Young’s neighbor refusing to sell land. So, he built it to look like it was sliced in half!
Time for Fudge!
After our sightseeing detour, we swung by for some much-anticipated fudge (yes, it was amazing), and made our way back to the office.
Charlevoix hasn’t changed much since my last visit, and that’s a good thing. It still has that charming, small-town vibe Northern Michigan is known for. If you haven’t been, you’ve got to plan a trip! Whether you’re into lakes, golf, skiing, or just soaking in the beauty of Charlevoix the Beautiful, it’s a destination that shines in any season. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch the iconic drawbridge in action!
