Houghton-Douglass Falls
Waterfall in Houghton County, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Houghton-Douglass Falls[1][2] (also known as Douglass Houghton Falls[3], Douglass Falls or Houghton Falls[4]) is a waterfall in the U.S. state of Michigan. At 110 feet (34 m) from the top to its base, it is Michigan's tallest waterfall.[5] It is located in the state's Upper Peninsula between the villages of Laurium and Lake Linden just off Highway M-26. It is designated by the state as a Scenic Site and Veterans Memorial Park,[6] and named after Douglass Houghton – Michigan's first state geologist[7] – and his cousin and assistant Columbus Christopher Douglass.[2]
| Houghton-Douglass Falls | |
|---|---|
| Houghton Falls, Douglass Houghton Falls | |
Houghton-Douglass Falls in July 2022 | |
  Location within Michigan | |
| Location | Houghton County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 47.20700°N 88.42758°W |
| Type | Cascade |
| Total height | 110 feet (34 m) |
| Number of drops | 1 |
| Watercourse | Hammell Creek |
The waterfall is situated in a deep gorge that is flanked by sharp loose rock. Multiple deaths have been reported at this location, including one in September 2011.[8][9] Part of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the falls expose two layers of volcanic rock which have been folded over younger, softer sandstone.[10] The site includes 115 acres (47 ha) of land along Hammell Creek and frontage along M-26.[3][11]
The property was purchased in 1949 by the Kuusisto family, then sold to the state in 2018 by Jim Kuusisto, a Vietnam War veteran who wished the site to be preserved as a veterans memorial.[12] The Michigan Department of Natural Resources paid $300,000[12] (equivalent to $368,000 in 2024[13]) and began developments for visitor accessibility and safety.[14] Phase 1 was completed in 2025, adding an access road and parking, a vault toilet, and a pedestrian bridge over the creek. Phase 2, projected for completion in 2027, includes a trail to the falls, safety improvements, observation platforms, and the veterans memorial.[15]