A Masterpiece in Log Architecture
and Finnish Craftsmanship
Perched on a high bluff overlooking the pristine waters of Lake Michigamme, Cohodas Lodge stands as a testament to the vision and artistry of its creators. Designed in 1934 by Swedish immigrant and local architect David E. Anderson, the lodge was commissioned by Sam Cohodas to serve as both a private residence and an entertainment center for his business ventures. Today, it remains a celebrated example of early 20th-century vernacular rustic log resort architecture, preserving the ingenuity and craftsmanship that defined its construction.
The building of Cohodas Lodge began in August 1934, spearheaded by Finnish master builder Nestor Kallioinen. Renowned for his expertise in log construction, including his work on the Granot Loma estate on Lake Superior, Kallioinen was 65 years old when he directed a team of Finnish craftsmen in the project. Every material was sourced within a 15-mile radius of the site, and the white pine logs were hand-peeled and expertly joined using traditional Finnish techniques. The lodge is notable as one of Michigan’s largest log structures built entirely without an independent superstructure, relying solely on the precise craftsmanship of its interlocking logs.
The lodge's rectangular, two-story design exudes rustic elegance. Its northern-facing facade is perfectly symmetrical, featuring an enclosed central entrance porch topped by a dormer and flanked by two-story gable bays. In contrast, the rear facade showcases an asymmetrical design with an intersecting gable and a balconette above a secondary entry. Inside, a soaring two-story great room serves as the centerpiece, surrounded by a U-shaped arrangement of adjoining rooms.
The construction process was as arduous as it was meticulous. During the harsh Upper Peninsula winter, Kallioinen and his team worked on a foundation poured directly onto bedrock, warming themselves with large fires at the structure’s center until it was enclosed. The lodge is rich with handcrafted details, from the grand staircase and chandeliers made from local cedar logs to the massive stone fireplace, constructed by 86-year-old stonemason Erick Bergdahl. Bergdahl’s signature “B” remains etched into the fireplace, a hallmark of his work.
The grand room features a large, historic mirror, believed to be 125 years old, which was salvaged from an old saloon in Houghton, Michigan. The mirror’s frame was constructed by the log workers who cut up logs from the surrounding forest to build it, adding a unique piece of local history to the lodge’s design.
Two large chandeliers hang in the great room and dining area, each crafted from logs taken from a nearby cedar swamp. These were designed and created by Nestor Kallioinen himself, further adding to the lodge’s distinctive, handcrafted character.
Notably, the lodge’s woodwork is primarily sourced from local logs, with two exceptions: the large ceiling beams in the living room, which were shipped in from Oregon, and the oak floors. These oak floors were laid with wooden pegs rather than metal nails, maintaining the lodge’s rustic elegance while preserving traditional building methods.
Adding to the lodge’s unique character are its expansive windows, custom-designed by Fred Andersen, the son of Andersen Windows’ founder. This project marked an early milestone for Andersen’s company, creating durable windows that flood the great room with natural light while framing breathtaking views of Lake Michigamme and the surrounding wilderness.
Cohodas Lodge was completed in June 1935, just in time to host its inaugural event: a meeting of the Western Fruit Jobbers Association. The gathering, attended by 24 members who traveled by private Pullman train from Chicago, was made unforgettable by a rare June snowstorm that blanketed the area.
For nearly four decades, the lodge served as a private retreat for Sam Cohodas and his family. Following Cohodas’s death in 1988, it transitioned into a bed and breakfast, offering visitors a glimpse into its storied history. In the 1990s, an attached garage was added to the east side of the structure. Beginning in 2023, the current owners removed the addition and replaced it with a log structure crafted to match the original building’s style and techniques.
Despite these changes, the lodge remains largely intact, a tribute to the exceptional craftsmanship and foresight of its builders. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1990, Cohodas Lodge continues to inspire admiration as a wilderness retreat, architectural marvel, and enduring piece of Upper Peninsula history.
