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Peek at a secretive millionaires' retreat on Lake Superior

Boundaries of the Huron Mountain Club (2006)
Michigan Radio
Boundaries of the Huron Mountain Club (2006)
Boundaries of the Huron Mountain Club (2006)
Credit Michigan Radio
Boundaries of the Huron Mountain Club (2006)

Hidden in plain sight in northern Michigan is a rustic getaway where wealthy Americans have hiked, fished and relaxed for more than a century. The Huron Mountain Club spreads along the south shore of Lake Superior, running across more than 20,000 acres of land and water.

And it only 50 regular members.

Michigan Radio has put together an entertaining profile of the secretive club, despite a discouraging string of "no comments" from folks connected to the club.

The club began in 1889 as a simple hunting and fishing club, and grew to include well-heeled members. Among them was Henry Ford, who sometimes paused -- in suit and tie -- to hand-feed a deer. 

Old postcard depicting the Huron Mountain Club
Old postcard depicting the Huron Mountain Club

Michigan Radio's profile notes that in the Roaring Twenties, members carted lots of servants to the woods, so "roughing it" was not so rough. And some "cabins" are actually large homes.

In more recent years, the club has focused efforts on conservation, joining area residents to battle a proposed mine. It also supports a to fund research on lands and waters of the Lake Superior basin.

Copyright 2021 Great Lakes Today. To see more, visit .

Dave Rosenthal is Managing Editor of Great Lakes Today, a collaboration of public media stations that is led by WBFO, ideastream in Cleveland in WXXI in Rochester, and includes other stations in the region.