It’s hard to know where to begin describing this unique property.  The lake?  The cabin? The history?  The town?

The cabin.  Actually, the cabin and 3 out buildings.  The main cabin has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths and a loft.  It was built in the 1930s and has been meticulously kept up and remodeled to respect modern sensibilities.  The walk-out level was fully remodeled just a few years ago and could be used independent of the main floor and loft since they both have kitchens, bedrooms and a bathroom.  The cabin got a new roof, new plumbing, new electrical service and a new foundation less than ten years ago.  And, new windows and doors two years ago.  It is ready to move into with no work needed!  You can see a full list of updates below.  The seller says most things can stay if desired, making this cabin absolutely easy to enjoy this summer.

Access to the lake has been honed.  There are easy steps to the lake and a removable dock that is perfect for casting, swimming and boarding kayaks and boats.  A sandy beach is also a few steps away if you want to feel the sand on your feet.

The 3 outbuildings are quaint and functional, with two being bunk houses (one has a bathroom), and one for laundry and storage, also with a bathroom.

All said, the buildings can easily sleep 10 people comfortably.

The property and its history.  The buildings are on a point, surrounded by Lake Michigamme, of course.  With over an acre and about 340’ of frontage, there is room to stretch.  The point is at a dead-end road (there is an easement) for privacy.  And the trees, huge white pines stand tall around the cabin and let you in on their rustling and that piney smell that means you’ve arrived.

This property was part of a children’s camp, Camp Kechuwa, from 1914 to 1970.  Nancy Reagan attended it as a child (though she probably did not wear her trademark skirt suits there).  The seller’s father and uncle ran the camp for over a decade.  You can read the seller’s thoughts about this place below.

The Lake.  Lake Michigamme is one of Michigan’s largest lakes, topping 4,290 acres.  And, it’s deep – over 70 feet deep at its deepest.  That is deep enough to support a whitefish population, which is unique for an inland lake.  There are also muskellunge and brook trout as well as the commoners like small and large-mouth bass, northern pike and walleye (delicious).

The town.  You can walk the ¾ of a mile to the town of Michigamme.  There is a lovely restaurant, museum and you might see a moose since this area was exactly where moose were introduced in the 1980s.  They are still around on occasion and watching them eat along the lake’s edge is treat.  You can’t but be impressed by their sheer volume.

The area.  This spot is less than an hour’s drive from Marquette where you can find anything you need (and even closer to several convenience and grocery stores if you need a quick run).  Marquette has a regional airport with flights to Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis so you can get here and out when you need to.  One would be remiss in not mentioning that Craig Lake State Park is just a few minutes away too.  Craig Lake is managed as a wilderness more or less, with over 8,000 acres that are not vehicularly accessible. The canoeing and hiking and peace and quiet are reinvigorating.  You can also watch (from afar of course) eaglets getting fed and loon babies getting rides.  It is a magical place.

$419,000

More Information

Information on Updates:

2008 – Cabin professionally leveled and basement project added on to underside of cabin

2008 – New rebuilt dormer and dormer window

2008 – New roof installed on entire Log cabin, new fireplace piping and trim

2008 – New fireplace and gas fireplace insert installed

2008 – All new electrical lines run through entire cabin, all new light fixtures and outlets/switches

2008 – All new Pex water lines throughout cabin, all new plumbing throughout

2008 – New electric water heater, all discharge lines and sump pump out to septic

2008 – Concrete patio poured outside basement and deck reconfigured

2008 – Basement rock outside walls completed, all basement windows and doors installed new

2008 – Internal basement walls completed with tongue and groove ash (walls in outer living area) and pine (all ceilings and walls in the bedrooms), cedar in bathroom, new toilet, sink, shower, ceiling

2008 – Birch hardwood stairs installed, all new basement light fixtures, outlets/switches installed new

2008 – Dormer interior rebuilt with new tongue and groove pine, stained

2008 – Treated beam lakeside retainer walls built and final stretch completed in 2015

2008 –  Upper bathroom remodeled with new tongue and groove cedar, new sink and fixtures

2010 – New well pressure tank and incoming and outgoing water lines installed new

2010 – Log railing around basement opening professionally installed

2012 – Entire cabin exterior stained with quality 20-year exterior stain

2012 – Porch floor repainted, outdoor deck re-stained every 3 years

2012 – Interior of cabin varnished with new coat of interior semi-gloss varnish

2015 – Garbage disposal replaced with new, sink faucet replaced with new

2016 – All windows and all doors (main floor and dormer) replaced new with Pella brand

2016 – New basement cabinets and countertop installed in lower kitchen area, new lights, plumbing

Laundry Building

2012 – New roof installed on red laundry building, interior ceiling of building painted 2 coats

2013 – All interior walls installed with plywood, varnished, display collectibles added for effect

2014 – New water heater, all new Pex water lines throughout from water source

Other Structures

2014 – Added structural foundation to upper lawn and garden shed

2015 – repainted small green cabin

2017 – repainted white House

2017 – Built new stairs down to lake and docks, stained both docks

Seller’s thoughts:

This cabin and property that is for sale is part of the historic Camp Kechuwa that was founded in 1914 and closed in 1970. Kechuwa started out as a girls’ camp and first lady Nancy Reagan attend this camp as a child. My father and my uncle took over the camp from my great aunts in 1957 and converted it to a boys’ camp until 1970. I was a camper for one year at the age of 11 when the camp eventually closed.

My greatest memories as a child are all from this place. Growing up here as a child was a real privilege for me and this place has been near and dear to my heart with lasting memories that I will never forget.

This property is located at the end of a private road with views of water on all four sides. You can sit on your back deck or on the screened in porch, or even underneath the porch on your lower patio to enjoy the beautiful views this place has to offer. Take a short stroll down the steps onto your private beach and step onto the docks and cast a fishing pole to catch fish, launch your canoes or kayaks, or even take a nice refreshing swim in this beautiful lake.

This log cabin is part of the Michigamme historical society and is maintenance free and move in ready for years to come. The numerous upgrades in this cabin over the past 10 years makes this place a dream come true.

Anyone who acquires this cabin, I am sure will enjoy this place as much as I did.