About Mushroom Houses
Charlevoix’s Mushroom Houses are a collection of stone buildings designed by self-taught local builder Earl Young. Their low profiles, rolling rooflines, oversized chimneys, and walls made from glacial boulders give them the appearance of cottages shaped by wind and weather rather than conventional plans.
Young worked in Charlevoix for decades, selecting stones for their natural color and form and adapting each building to its site. Many roofs dip toward the ground, while doors and windows sit beneath heavy stone arches. The result is often compared to mushrooms, storybook homes, or structures that seem to have grown directly from the landscape.
The houses are spread across several neighborhoods, with notable examples near Park Avenue and in Boulder Park. Most are private residences and are not open for interior visits. A respectful self-guided drive or walk is free, while guided and virtual tours are available from local operators. Visitors should remain on public streets and sidewalks, avoid blocking traffic, and never enter yards or driveways.