Update on Houghton Falls 10/17/2008

The Conservancy has been working with the Town of Bayview and the Trust for Public Land to locate funding and reach agreements with landowners to purchase approximately 77 acres near Houghton Falls on Lake Superior.

Together, we hope to acquire both sides of the main waterfall as well as the Echo Dells upstream. The Town of Bayview created an ad hoc committee that has drafted a management plan to provide for the public’s quiet enjoyment of the property while protecting the natural beauty of this historic site.

Currently, we are waiting to hear how the project ranks nationally for federal funds and then will continue working with the Department of Natural Resources on an application for a grant from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund.

This site is historically very important to people who have lived here, as early as the Copper Age civilization 6,000 years ago. Although in private ownership, the area has always been a destination for people who rode the train to the Houghton Stop and then caught the excursion boat out to Long Island. Over the last one hundred years, due to the generosity of the private landowners, many people have enjoyed on the rock ledges, explored the waterfalls and dells, or enjoyed the pine-needle trail along the ravine. Our goal is for the Town of Bayview to hold title to the land open to the public for quiet enjoyment of this beautiful natural area.