Houghton Lake Heights, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Houghton Lake Heights, Michigan
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Houghton Lake Heights Post Office
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 Houghton Lake Heights, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Houghton Lake Heights, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Roscommon |
| Township | Roscommon |
| Elevation | 1,175 ft (358 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
48629 (Houghton Lake)
48630 |
| Area code(s) | 989 |
| FIPS code | 26-26163 |
| GNIS feature ID | 628666 |
Houghton Lake Heights is a small community in Michigan, USA. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's part of a larger area called Houghton Lake. You can find it in Roscommon County, right on the western side of Houghton Lake. Even though it doesn't have official borders, it does have its own post office with a special ZIP Code, 48630.
Contents
Discovering Houghton Lake Heights
A Look Back: How It Started
Houghton Lake Heights began around 1883. It was a busy place for cutting down trees, thanks to the S. C. Hall Lumber Company. Because the area was on higher ground, people started calling it "The Heights."
A post office opened here on November 24, 1923, also named "The Heights." Later, in 1956, its name was changed to "Houghton Lake Heights."
In 1913, four men bought a large farm near the lake. They created the Houghton Heights Corporation. They divided the land into smaller pieces, especially near the lake. This area became known as Houghton Heights.
Fun Times on the Lake
In 1915, a hotel called Dad Smith's Hotel was built. It was later known as the Heights Inn. This hotel was a popular spot for people who loved outdoor sports and wanted a comfy place to stay.
The years from the 1920s to the 1950s were very exciting for Houghton Lake Heights. From 1923 to 1939, a big boat named the "Houghton Queen" offered fun cruises around Houghton Lake. It could carry up to 68 passengers!
There was also a huge waterslide built on stilts in the 1920s. It was called Sanford's dock. This slide was taken down every winter to protect it from ice.
Busy Businesses in the Past
In the early to mid-1900s, Houghton Lake Heights was a lively place with many different shops and services. It was known as the most popular business center in the area.
Some of the businesses included:
- Bill Park's Grocery
- Dr. Snyders Drug Store
- The Little Gift Shop
- RaWalla Dance Hall
- Akin's Hotel
- Parker's Barbershop and post office
- The Heights Inn
- Ray Walling's garage and gas station
- Girley's Gift Shop
- Tam-a-rack Lodge
- Anderson's Patent Medicine Store
Houghton Lake Heights Today
Today, Houghton Lake Heights is a quieter place. Many of the old buildings from the 1920s and 1930s are gone. However, the historic Heights Inn still stands, though it's no longer a hotel.
The community still has its post office. There's also a public park where you can access the lake. You can also find a couple of local pubs. The Houghton Lake State Airport is also located within Houghton Lake Heights.
