This house was built of bottle wall construction in 1941 by John J. Makinen, Sr. It is located in Kaleva, Michigan, near Manistee. Construction uses over 60,000 bottles laid on their sides, the bottoms toward the exterior. Makinen was a native of Finland and moved to northwestern Michigan in 1903. He owned and operated the Northwestern Bottling Works Company in Kaleva. Sadly, he died just before he and his family were to move into the new bottle house.
Most of the bottles came from his bottling plant, as revealed on the bottle bottoms. A large variety of bottles were used for many products, including drinks, wine, beer, and liqueur. The bottles were not only round but oblong as well. The bottles are arranged with clear and brown color bottles on the front of the house to spell "HAPPY HOME."
The Kaleva Historical Society bought the house in 1980. The Kaleva Historical Museum then purchased it in 1981 for a museum after it was remodeled. The museum includes 19th- and 20th-century items. Information on the local area schools, along with local companies and families. It is listed on the National Register of Historical Sites and the Michigan Register of Historical Sites as the plaques in front of the house show.
At the rear of the house, a traditional Finish sauna was built. During the Christmas season, a nativity scene is displayed there.
I enjoyed this stop in Michigan and found the history here interesting. A nice stop to stretch my legs and mind.
This stop can be challenging to people with limitations.
LINKS:
https://www.kalevamichigan.com/bottle-house-museum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._Makinen_Bottle_House
So cool!