Spring is a season of change—though this year, the snow seems to be sticking around a little longer than it did in 1955! This photograph from the Michigan Tech University Archives’ Earl Gagnon Collection captures a sunnier springtime scene in downtown Houghton.
Speaking of change, take a look at how the cars are parked. Notice anything different? That’s right—Shelden Avenue was once a two-way street! Does anyone know when it switched to one-way?
Share your answers—and any other memories of downtown Houghton—in the comments!
About the Archives
The Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections houses a wide variety of print, graphic and manuscript resources related to the history and culture the Copper Country and Michigan Technological University. If you would like to research in the archives, appointments are available from 1-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Appointments may be requested by calling (906) 487-2505 or by filling out the request form on the archives website. If you have any questions regarding archives services, collections, or remote research help, please reach out to (906) 487-2505 or e-mail us at copper@mtu.edu. The Michigan Tech Archives can also be found on Facebook (Michigan Tech Archives), Instagram (@michigantecharchives), and X (@mtuarchives).
It was a two way street when I was there from 1977 to 1982 and I had no idea it was now a one way! I hear there is even a McDonalds. When I was there someone would make a McDonalds run and go all the way to Marquette to get McDonalds and take orders to bring back for people! We were desperate!
Wonder what happened in 1977? Sheldon was one-way the entire time I was there in 1970-74, with the southbound lanes running a couple of blocks uphill. That pavement looked pretty fresh back then, and apparently they’d finished re-routing 41 between Fisher and Wads.
McDonald’s wasn’t as big a deal back then – I don’t think they’d even got to Marquette by then, but I could be wrong about that. The closest we came to what’s now called fast food was an A&W drive-in on the outskirts of Hancock going toward Lake Linden. I suppose you could go to Marquette if you wanted Beef-A-Roo bad enough, but AFAIK, nobody I knew *ever* wanted to…
My husband and I were at the Tech at the same time 77 to 82 and we remember as one way back then too
The power house looks like it was still running then … from the smoke coming out of the stack. It was our Teen Center in the late 60’s; I was Co-President and the other President was a girl from Hancock (sorry can’t remember her name just now).
I see a 55 Chevy, so this picture must be from the late 50’s and before the lift bridge was built. Wonder what was on at the Lode?
It was 1-way while I was there in 1965-1969. South bound 41came off the bridge and curved around to the south (back) of the down town area. Then it merged back to 2-way just east of down town. I went back for my 50th reunion. What a change. Where 41 used to run thru campus, there is now a beautiful common area with paved pathways between the buildings. All new athletic facilities “up the hill” including the Seaman Museum. A variety of food stations in the cafeteria and girls all over the place. So many that if this were the case when I were there, I might have had an outside chance at a date for winter carnival.