The Life and Legacy of Earl Young: Mushroom House Tours 

 

Important Note About Homeowner Privacy 

As a friendly reminder, please keep in mind that these homes remain private residences. We ask that you respect the owners by not trespassing on the property, peeking through windows, or removing any materials from the roofs or landscaping. Additionally, please be mindful not to block local traffic while you enjoy the view of these enchanting structures. Feel free to walk along the sidewalks and drive on public roads to view houses and to respect those who keep the Mushroom Houses and the legacy of Earl Young alive. 

 

Tucked inside the heart of Charlevoix are the Mushroom Houses built by local architect Earl Young. These solid stone homes are straight out of a fairytale, highlighting an important and unique part of Charlevoix's history. In 2006, Edith Pair, a lifelong Charlevoix resident, began studying these homes. Pair, whose father was an acquaintance of Earl Young, notes that Young often remarked that his houses were “Built for people to live in, but mostly to look at.”  By 2009, Pair had started the Mushroom House Tours. 

Who Was Earl Young

Earl Young was born in 1889 and moved to Charlevoix at 11 years old. Quickly, Young fell in love with this lakefront community. He was fascinated by boulders within the region, especially along the Lake Michigan shoreline. 

Despite having had no formal architectural training, Young became a self-taught builder. Earl Young was of Swiss and German descent; much of his inspiration comes from European cottages and Swiss Chalets. His vision was to use the boulders found along the shore, taking these simple rocks, and turning them into one of a kind homes. 

 

What are Mushroom Houses 

 Referred to as Hobbit Houses, Gnome Homes, these cottages are best known for their iconic rooflines that resemble mushroom caps, giving them their most popular name: Mushroom Houses. Many of these structures were designed with notably low ceilings, curves and diamond-shaped windows. Young wanted to create homes that looked as if they grew from the ground. He was adamant that the natural landscape should be maintained as much as possible. Surrounding many of the homes are trees that seem to be sprouting from the houses themselves. 

 

What to Expect on a Tour  

The tour begins winding through the enchanting historic district, starting on Park Avenue. While guests must remain inside the vehicle throughout the journey, photography and videography are allowed. The tour stops outside of each house, and the guide details the history of the home, who it was built for, what materials were used, along with photos of homes, and insight into the unique architectural vision of Earl Young. 

A highlight of this tour is Boulder Park; this area was intended to be a complete village of stone residences, a dream that was unfortunately interrupted by the Great Depression.

Upon entering the neighborhood, we came upon Boulder Manor, one of the most well known of Young's homes due to the massive size of the boulders used to create it. In the backyard of his massive house is a dollhouse built by Young for his daughters to play in while he worked. Within this dollhouse is a working fireplace showcasing the dedication put into each and every one of Young's creations.

While driving through this neighborhood, the guide stated that many of these magical homes are now vacation rentals, allowing visitors the opportunity to stay in one of these historic homes.  

 

 

The Link between Earl Young and Hollywood 

The Panama House, located inside Boulder Park previously served as the home of Norman Panama, a notable figure from Hollywood's golden era. It is widely known that the fairytale atmosphere of the residence inspired him to write the classic film "White Christmas" while living there.