Part of the Bishop Baraga Shrine, in the northwest corner of Michigan's upper peninsula, is on the auction block on September 10, 2005. It's not the sculpture of the Snowshoe Priest itself (you can't buy it and move it), but the adjacent Bishop Baraga Shrine Gift and Pastie Shop, along with 14 acres on Red Rock Bluff, overlooking Keweenaw Bay. The two ladies who own it want to retire, and have put the site up for sale. The gift shop has exclusive access to the Shrine of the Snowshoe Priest, a giant statue floating on sculpted clouds that honors the life of Bishop Baraga, who converted many of the area Native Americans to Christianity. The Shrine and gift shop are popular attractions, but the owners no longer want to pay the electric bill to light the shrine at night.

We hope any new owner continues the pasty ("pass-tee") shop tradition. The snack bar's cook is known for her 1 and 1/4 pound Shrine Pasties , an upper peninsula favorite made of diced potatoes, carrots, onions, rutabagas, and meat stuffed inside a large dough ball and baked.

The gift shop is in the Red Rock Lodge, which also includes a four-bedroom apartment that can be used as a rental property. For more information, go to superiorauction.net. [09/05/2005]

November 26, 2009