Houghton-Douglass Falls

Houghton-Douglass Falls
Houghton Falls, Douglass Houghton Falls
Houghton-Douglass Falls in July 2022
Houghton-Douglass Falls is located in Michigan
Houghton-Douglass Falls
Location within Michigan
LocationHoughton County, Michigan
Coordinates47°12′25″N 88°25′39″W / 47.20700°N 88.42758°W / 47.20700; -88.42758 (Houghton-Douglass Falls)
TypeCascade
Total height110 feet (34 m)
Number of drops1
WatercourseHammell Creek

Houghton-Douglass Falls[1][2] (also known as Douglass Houghton Falls[3], Douglass Falls or Houghton Falls[4]) is a waterfall in the U.S. state of Michigan. At 110 feet (34 m) from the top to its base, it is Michigan's tallest waterfall.[5] It is located in the state's Upper Peninsula between the villages of Laurium and Lake Linden just off Highway M-26. It is designated by the state as a Scenic Site and Veterans Memorial Park,[6] and named after Douglass Houghton – Michigan's first state geologist[7] – and his cousin and assistant Columbus Christopher Douglass.[2]

The waterfall is situated in a deep gorge that is flanked by sharp loose rock. Multiple deaths have been reported at this location, including one in September 2011.[8][9] Part of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the falls expose two layers of volcanic rock which have been folded over younger, softer sandstone.[10] The site includes 115 acres (47 ha) of land along Hammell Creek and frontage along M-26.[3][11]

The property was purchased in 1949 by the Kuusisto family, then sold to the state in 2018 by Jim Kuusisto, a Vietnam War veteran who wished the site to be preserved as a veterans memorial.[12] The Michigan Department of Natural Resources paid $300,000[12] (equivalent to $368,000 in 2024[13]) and began developments for visitor accessibility and safety.[14] Phase 1 was completed in 2025, adding an access road and parking, a vault toilet, and a pedestrian bridge over the creek. Phase 2, projected for completion in 2027, includes a trail to the falls, safety improvements, observation platforms, and the veterans memorial.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Markkanen, Greg (April 24, 2024). "House approves resolution to urge state park status for Houghton-Douglass Falls". Mi House Repubs. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  2. 1 2 House of Representatives, Michigan (May 3, 2024). "HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.232". legislature.mi.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Parks and Recreation Land Acquisition" (PDF). August 13, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Houghton Falls". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). 628663. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  5. ↑ "What's the tallest waterfall in Michigan?". Michigan Radio.
  6. ↑ "Houghton-Douglass Falls and Veterans Memorial Scenic Site". DNR Recreation Search. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  7. ↑ Wallin, Helen (2004). Douglass Houghton: Michigan's First State Geologist 1837–1845 (PDF) (Pamphlet). Lansing: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Fall from Cliff Kills U.P. Man". Daily Press. Escanaba, Michigan. September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Fatal Fall at Douglass Houghton Falls". Ishpeming, Michigan: WBUP-TV. September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  10. ↑ Dahl, Alexis. "How Do We Know What Happened a Billion Years Ago? | Nebula". nebula.tv. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  11. ↑ Champion, Brandon (November 30, 2023). "DNR to share design plans for scenic site around Michigan's tallest waterfall". Mlive.com. Mlive.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  12. 1 2 Powell, Mariah (September 20, 2018). "Veteran sells Houghton-Douglass Falls property for DNR scenic site". Upper Michigan's Source. Negaunee, Michigan: WLUC-TV. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  13. ↑ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  14. ↑ "Houghton County DRAFT of Five Year Master Plan" (PDF). Houghton County. December 7, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Key project updates". Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
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