Bay Furnace

This is all that remains of a town called Onota, built in 1868, which smelted iron on the shores of Lake Superior. The town burned down in 1877 and was abandoned; only the furnace remains. The structure's been restored somewhat in recent years; 20 years ago it was in danger of collapsing into its component rocks. They've also added some historical commentary which wasn't there when I first found the place.

The current town at more-or-less the same place is called Christmas. Really. It's near Munising, and the Pictured Rocks lakeshore. The Bay Furnace campground is one of the finest I know, albeit with only minimal facilities.

This photo dates from June of 1998. I have earlier pictures; perhaps someday I'll post them.

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You'll perhaps have noticed that I'm kinda partial to iron-foundry ghost towns....