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  The Abide Cottage was built in 1938 and is one of the most “fairytale looking” of all the Mushroom Houses. Earl Young had traveled to Europe at this point and started designing with a much more English Coltswald feel.  This is a great example of his transition on stone shape and sizes….he used Onoway…

Boulder Manor     Boulder Manor sits on the southern shores of Lake Michigan in Charlevoix.  It’s easily found by following the street leading to the cement factory, an eye sore never missed when looking over beautiful Lake Michigan. Ahead of the grey and depressing monstrosity, there sits one of the loveliest communities in town…

      “THE SUCHER HOUSE” The beautiful Sucher House….located in one of the most fabulous locations of all the Mushroom Houses……. atop a hill overlooking beautiful lake Michigan.  Its also I would have to say, one of the most expensive of all the Mushroom houses simply because of the property, amount of land, and…

“Boulderdash” or the actual “Mushroom House” I cannot tell you how many times I get asked during our 45 min. tour of why on earth all these houses are called “Mushroom Houses?!”  When the tour starts out and for most of the first half, they simply look like fairy-tale houses and Gnome Homes no doubt………

Earl Young Half-House The Half-House is one of the most beloved “Mushroom Houses” and one of the most recognizable.  Its beauty and intrigue has garnered it numerous awards for color placement of the stones, style and structure.  This house to me….represents everything Earl Young was trying to portray in his work and has all the…

  This is the Story of Irene Harsha “Behind every good man is a great woman” so quotes the bible in not so many words.  That couldn’t be more true in the case of Earl Young’s life and career.  Not to say that Earl Young wasn’t an absolute creative genius, but without his better half…….

THATCHED ROOF HOUSE 2017 The Thatched Roof House I will be blogging about each one of Earl Young’s houses separately as each one is so unique and so interesting!  If you need a background on the architect Earl Young…please visit my previous post aptly named “The Evolution of Earl Young.”   The Thatched Roof House…

Meet Herman Munster’s long lost brother, Earl Young. Everything Earl Young Earl Young has arguably become one of the most influential and beloved characters in the little town of Charlevoix, Michigan.  One would have never known the significance of  having the “Mushroom Houses” would become in the day.  I can tell you that it makes…

Trip Advisor named us the #1 site to see in our area!! Tours are filling up fast so the BEST way to ensure you get the date and time you want….go to our online booking system by clicking the “Book Now” icon at the top. You can also text (next best option) or call us at 231 445-0770! The Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix are 28 of the most fascinating stone structures you will ever see in one town.  We give a wonderful, fun and educated tour and that you will cherish for years.  Why just drive by and not know a thing about what you are seeing?  We give you the inside scoop that no book or online research can match. *Tours begin and end at Elements Gallery, 211 Bridge St., Charlevoix, MI 49720 We offer 2 options: …

WE COULDN’T WAIT ANY LONGER!! “GiGi” is finally out of Storage With a newly purchased house and a year round home base for the tours, a.k.a elements gallery, we decided to wait no longer and get these GEM car tours going!! Dress warm enough and this will be one of the most fun and most educational tours Charlevoix has to offer. We take our 6 seat GEM car lovingly named “GiGi” and with your beloved guide, visit all 28 Earl Young Mushroom Houses.  We actually have a shot getting inside one depending on the rental status. Special arrangements can always be made and until we start our booking system back up…we will schedule your GEM tour by appointment for $15 per seat. We always offer our spectacular walking tours as well, which are $10 per person. Starting Memorial Day Weekend….we will be doing a complimentary…

Trip Advisor named us the #1 site to see in our area!!   See what the fuss is about….its easier than ever with our newly installed booking system!!   The “Mushroom Houses” of Charlevoix are 28 of the most interesting and fascinating stone structures ever built in the United States and…they are only here in good ole’ Charlevoix, MI.!!!   They are a MUST see sight and there is no better way then with a fun and educated guide!  We will give you the inside scoop and with all the fun tidbits and facts that no book or amount of online research can match!                                                                            …

Even though its still considered winter….we can still have fun!!   With Spring fast approaching…these little glimpses of 50 degrees and above have proven that we can do tours year-round!! Unbelievably, we had a stretch of in-climate weather that made everyone get a dose of early spring fever!!  So much in fact…I was able to pull “GiGi” right out of storage and gave some tours before the inevitable snow returned and thus….an example of the brave souls are shown below.     If tours this time of year are not your thing….then start thinking about when you want to book a tour this summer!! We will be enhancing ALL aspects of our tours this year and have some fun and exciting new options and products! Keep in mind that ALL tours will be running directly out of Elements Gallery located at…