|
Harvest FestivalSep 28, 2014
|
|
We had a great day at the Harvest Festival at Castle Farms....
Jerry in the King's chair...:-)
We went to the Harvest Festival in Charlevoix today. We toured Castle Farms and watched all the activities going on for the kids. We had free donuts and apple cider. My favorite areas were the gardens and the fish ponds. They also had a ‘Mini Farmer’s Market’, with vendors exhibiting and selling homemade items, including maple syrup and caramel popcorn. They had beautiful arts and crafts, games and prizes and even a magic show. We loved the horse drawn buggy rides too. It was a lot of fun.
After the festival we visited the lighthouse again and took a lot of pictures. They will be added to the Charlevoix Lighthouse update from last time. We also drove by Lake Michigan and took pictures of the awesome mushroom shaped homes in the area. One was even up for sale. :-)
Earl Young Houses have unusual names like: Hobbitland … mushroom homes … elf space … gnome houses … Smurfsville … the creations of Earl Young are known world-wide. And the only place you can see them is Charlevoix.
Our tour of the homes took us around the triangular block bounded by Park Avenue, Grant Street, and Clinton Street. Here you can see some of the most famous, and most beloved, work of long-time Charlevoix resident, Earl Young, homes he built or remodeled beginning in the late 1930s, and culminating in the construction of the “mushroom house” in the 1950s.
Earl Young lived most of his life in Charlevoix. He graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1908 and studied architecture at the University of Michigan for one year. He married Irene Harsha, daughter of Horace Harsha, in 1915, and worked in real estate for more than 60 years.
Earl Young built a number of homes in the Charlevoix area, and each reflects his unusual style. The Ludington Daily News in October 13, 1971 issue said it this way:
“Sometimes the rooflines sweep so close to the ground that side windows are cut into them. The homes feature large fireplaces, generous use of stonework, and creative landscaping which helps the houses blend and snuggle into the hillsides.” Young told the newspaper’s writer, “I always build the roof first, and then shove the house under it.”
We enjoyed seeing these most unusual homes and hope you enjoy the picture too. It was another fabulous day in Michigan, check back later for more.