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When you think of distinctive Midwest architecture movements, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style will most likely come to mind. His work spanned the globe and changed the world of architecture. You may not know there was another Midwest architect who also created a distinctly unique style of architecture called mushroom houses. Earl Young, a true innovator and one-of-a-kind, built these mushroom houses starting in 1919. Although in-demand and requested all over the world, he refused to build his mushroom houses anywhere but in his hometown of Charlevoix, Michigan.
Who Was Earl Young?
Earl Young grew up not far from Charlevoix, in a town called Mancelona. As a boy, he collected rocks from the banks of Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix, as many people in the area do. He showed an interest in architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright early in life, and enrolled in University of Michigan architecture school. Unmoved by the linearity of formal architecture, he dropped out after a year. He tried his hand at realty and began selling houses, and actually held onto his realtor license for nearly his whole life. The more he spent time selling houses, the more he wanted to design them. So he did. Over time, these distinct homes have come to be known as the mushroom houses.
An Architect with No Blueprints
The aspect of design that Young loved was Frank Lloyd Wright’s idea that the house should fit into the landscape. FLW would design homes around trees and existing topography in order not to disrupt nature. Young wanted his homes to do the same, specifically in Charlevoix. He decided he would pull stones and boulders from the lake in order to bring the beauty of the underwater world, into plain view.
Without the proper training, Young bypassed blueprints in favor of sketching a design in dirt with a stick. His contractors would have to work from there. Known to be somewhat unpredictable, some of his work even reflected his feelings toward neighbors.
A Vision for a Private Residence Club of Mushroom Houses
When visiting Charlevoix, one will quickly learn that there are a few areas of town that are private resident clubs. These are exclusive and beautiful areas, and quite historic. Earl Young wanted to make his own exclusive private residential club of mushroom houses in Charlevoix. He envisioned “Boulder Park” along the banks of Lake Michigan, an homage to his design and home building.
Earl Young mushroom houses stand out in comparison to the classical style of home built during the architect’s lifetime. As such, Young was inspired to create a section of Charlevoix dedicated only to his buildings. While he certainly had a commanding presence of Charlevoix’s Park Avenue, he wanted something more set away from Charlevoix’s traditional residences. While he did succeed at building a number of homes in this secluded lakeside area, financing issues due to the Great Depression as well as practicality of homes ultimately sunk the idea.
Characteristics of Earl Young Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix
Not to beat a dead horse, but Earl Young mushroom houses were both on trend and very unique. Built during the height of Mid-Century Modern design, the homes integrated seamlessly with nature and the landscape around them. There were however, some distinct markings of the man himself in each of his buildings.
- Young built most kitchen and closet space as an afterthought, or sometimes not at all. Kitchens of his mushroom houses are tiny as he despised the kitchen and cooking. Some homes don’t even have closets.
- Mushroom houses are light on storage. Many residents have had to add exterior sheds for more room.
- Young typically didn’t add garages onto his homes unless explicitly asked.
- Mushroom homes had a fairy tale quality built into each chimney. Young deliberately added a snow cap to the top of chimneys to give play up the whimsy of a wonderland. Some people even say this gives the homes a gingerbread house quality with the chimney caps resembling frosting more than snow.
- Organic home shapes are a staple of Young’s work. Even working entirely with stones, he was able to mold homes around the landscape.
- Young built stone walls or fences to match the homes he made (when possible.)
- Fireplaces were often focal points in Earl Young buildings, including at Stafford’s Weathervane restaurant.
- Many roofs of mushroom houses were made using expensive cedar shake
- Mushroom house ceilings are markedly low, due to Young’s short stature.
- Mushroom houses get their name from one distinct house that resembles a button mushroom. (above)
How to See the Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix Michigan
You can certainly participate in a self-guided walking or driving tour of the mushroom houses, but you won’t learn much about them. To get the true history and anecdotal stories about the architect and the families who lived in these houses, I highly recommend booking a tour with Charlevoix local, Edith Pair. Edith runs approximately 60 minute Mushroom House Tours by foot or by multi-passenger GEM car. She is so well informed and brings a charm to the tour that another tour provider couldn’t replicate.
Many thanks to Visit Charlevoix and Mushroom House Tours for arranging my research trip for this article. As always, all opinions are my own.
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I’ve not heard of Earl Young before, but these mushroom houses are so so. I’d love to do a tour of them.
I couldn’t believe I’d never heard of them! The tours that Mushroom House Tours and Edith give are fascinating!
Some of those places really look hobbits built them.
Earl Young was a very short guy…so it sort of make sense!
I grew up in Charlevoix. I graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1951. I remember those homes on Park Avenue & enjoyed showing them to others. There are none like them anywhere. I remember my Dad, Leslie Everts talking about Earl Young & giving me some history behind the homes & the man. What a gift of Design that Earl Young had. It’s been quite a few years since I have been back but I hope to return there one of these days.
Ohmigosh, that must have been an idyllic place to grow up. Could you imagine if he built those homes around the world? I bet they’d be big hits. I do appreciate that he stayed true to his hometown and gave Charlevoix such a special gift.
Loved Seeing these homes when we lived in Charlevoix! Very special. Ate in his rest often, too!
I didn’t get a chance to dine at the Weathervane but I used the restroom and checked out their view. I’ll have to go next time!