While times have changed, the residents of the Douglass House continue to enjoy the special amenities and the central location that only a historic location can provide.

While the original structure dated back to the 1850s, the building has gone through multiple renovations. The last major renovation was completed in early 1984 where it became designated for senior housing apartments.

“You’re right in the center of downtown, you’ve got a stoplight right there,” said manager Robert Megowen. “There is easy walking to four restaurants, easy walking to the public library.”

Just from the businesses located on the lower levels of the buildings apartments, residents have access to accounting services, an insurance agency and a barber shop.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette A view of the historic Douglass House Apartments building from the side.

“The ladies at The Mirror are very willing to help ladies get their haircut also,” Megowen said. “They take care of quite a few of our residents.”

The police station is right down the street, adding to the building’s safety, Megowen said. The building is also equipped with multiple security features. And as a member of the Houghton Fire Department, Megowen makes sure the building is up to date with smoke and fire protection.

Megowen is proud of being able to carry on the tradition of the Douglass House.

Tenants also enjoy having the Houghton waterfront within walking distance. One former resident in a wheelchair was fond of going down to one of the piers and fishing, Megowen said. Another took walks to the Kestner Waterfront Park and back until she was 103.

For whatever residents can’t find downtown, there are three locations within the building where public transit can pick them up. The transits, and the building, are also wheelchair-accessible.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette A close-up view of the spire that sits atop the Douglass House Apartments building in downtown Houghton.

Tenants also have private parking downtown.

Residents can enjoy the trappings of the hotel days, such as the famed spires and features like an original fireplace. During the summer, they also enjoy sitting in the courtyard to enjoy the “magic garden” of roses.

Some residents have been able to live at the building until they were 104, Megowen said.

While the Douglass House is not an assisted-living facility, Megowen and Holly Matson try to provide personal care where possible, many of the residents also benefit from in-home nursing and skilled aids provided by outside agencies. The Senior Meals Program also makes daily stops in the building.

“Right now I have two people living here whose parents lived here also, so I’m on the second generation of two families,” he said. “So that’s pretty good if you think of a kid who wants to stay in the same building that their mother or their father lived in. And when other people have come to see that, they say, ‘Well, when I get older, I’m going to live there because my father or mother enjoyed it.’ That’s pretty important. And of course, I say I’m looking a little older than I did 20 years ago. But we’re still taking care of people.”

To live at the Douglass House, people must be 62 years of age or older or disabled. There are also income and asset requirements that are adjusted each year. The housing is overseen by USDA Rural Development, which also inspects the facility.

In addition to the subsidies provided by Rural Development, The Douglass House Apartments accepts MSHDA Housing Choice Vouchers and HUD Section 8 Subsidies.

If you are interested in moving to the Douglass House please contact them at 906-482-2000.

The Douglass House Apartments are an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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