The Shrine of the Pines, Baldwin MI

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Saturday January 03, 2015 · 8:12 AM PST

2015/01/03 · 08:12

The Shrine of the Pines on M37 between Grand Rapids and Traverse City is run by a private group and open from May 15 to Oct 15. It consists of a cabin filled with the lifetime work of Raymond Overholzer a craftsman who worked with only hand tools and wooden dowel joinery. He began in the early 20s and worked until his death in 1952. He married his school teacher and made a living as a hunting and fishing guide and taxidermist only working on the furniture and other items during the winter months. He used stumps and roots left from the logging of the great white pine forests of the area near Baldwin.
By 1939 his collection was so large that he and a group of friends built a cabin on a bank overlooking the Pere Marquette River, a renown trout stream. He has two signs spelled out with natural white pine root sections that call the place both "The Shrine of the Pines" and "Hunter's Rest" and tours were offered.
I first saw the Shrine shortly after his death and his widow was the guide. I can remember her as a tiny woman south of 5 feet. Some people, like the friend I took along this trip, bypass this great tourist stop thinking it is a Catholic Shrine. Our guide told us of a group that arrived by bus but left when they found out it was not a Catholic shrine. Too bad because they missed what is truly a remarkable and even religious experience seeing craftsmanship of this level.
The cabin his widow lived in while serving as guide is now the souvenir shop. These were shot during a very bright day and it shows. Pictures below the thing. Also there is a nice Youtube video that explains the whole story of its creation.

This is looking at the game alcove and the main sign.

The centerpiece of the alcove is the game table with 5 club seats

Another view of the alcove with our guide. Notice the pine root shaped like a duck decoy Raymond rescued from the ground

This is the dinning room table for 10, he began with a 700 pound stump and put 60 inlays on the top. Made during prohibition it includes a hiding spot for a bottle