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The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, 560 acres, designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. The park is named Keweenaw Dark Sky Park.

Superior Development began operating the lodge in 1966. Many upgrades and changes were made. A full-sized swimming pool was installed, the original handcrafted lounge and dining room furniture was replaced, the lounge was remodeled. The dining room had previously had a sort of dress code, “jacked and tie after 5” that was done away with.  Unfortunately, Superior Development was under capitalized and within a year went delinquent on it’s land contract. 

Project Developers, Inc. began operating the lodge under a five-year land contract. Art Pontius became manager. He and his partner, William Greig tried to run the lodge year round and did not succeed. Project Developers failed to make a required $27,000 payment on January 1, 1971 and just after that Pontius and his partner walked away from the business. Literally. Without even bothering to…

On May 13, 1968 Superior Development was found in default, and Circuit Judge Stephen D. Condon ruled that they were to forfeit all rights, title, and interest in the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge premises and Keweenaw County resumed ownership. They needed a monetary advance, and had to resolve several liens before opening for the 1968 season. The lodge showed a $10, 648 loss that season.

U.P. Engineers and Architects designed the motel addition. Construction began with Arend Builders Inc., and was constructed adjacent to what had been the swimming pool that was built back in the 60’s by Superior Development. During construction of that pool, the soil was not compacted properly. As a result, during frost heaving one winter, the bottom of the pool cracked and wouldn’t hold water. Efforts to repair it failed, and it was filled in with mine rock, leveled, and paved to become a parking area.  The motels completion brought the lodges occupancy to a total of 41 rental units that could accommodate more than 100 guests.  Questions: Was cabin 22 also built at the same time as the motel?