Caspian in Iron County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Finnish Sauna

Iron County Homestead Complex

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 2022

1. The Finnish Sauna Marker

Inscription. This sauna from 1900 was originally located on the Alto farm in Beechwood, Michigan, donated by William and Senia Maki and moved to the museum in 1986. This is a traditional Finnish bath house.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 46° 4.108′ N, 88° 37.573′ W. Marker is in Caspian, Michigan, in Iron County. Marker can be reached from Brady Avenue, 0.2 miles north of Caspian Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the front/south facade of the sauna, located on the Iron County Historical Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Brady Avenue, Caspian MI 49915, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brule Homestead Cabin (a few steps from this marker); The Sunset Lake Home (a few steps from this marker); Iron County Homestead Complex (a few steps from this marker); The Beechwood Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Sharrard Logging Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); The Puotinen Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Johnson Homestead Cabin

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Log Jammer (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Caspian.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Iron County Homestead Complex

Also see . . . The Great Finnish Emigration.

Most of these Finnish settlers arrived on American soil during the “Great Finnish Immigration.” Between 1870 and 1929 an estimated 350,000 Finnish immigrants arrived in the United States, many of them settling in an area that would be come to known as the “Sauna Belt,” a region of especially high population density of Finnish Americans encompassing the northern counties of Wisconsin, the northwestern counties of Minnesota, and the central and northern counties of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Why did so many Finns choose to settle half a world away? The answer lies in the many economic opportunities available in the “Sauna Belt” that were extremely scarce in Finland, a common dream to earn enough money to buy a farm, a need to escape from Russian oppression, and the Finn’s deep cultural connection to the land.

(Submitted on January 5, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Finnish Outdoor Bathouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 2022

2. Finnish Outdoor Bathouse Marker

(mounted between front door & window)In 1986, the Museum acquired this 1900 log Finnish Sauna. This sauna was built on the Alto Farm in Beechwood. This farm was later purchased by William and Senia Maki.

Finnish Sauna image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 2022

3. Finnish Sauna

(marker is mounted just right of front window)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 4, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on January 5, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.