This uniqe one of a kind house stands in Harbor Springs. It was designed and built by Ephraim Shay the inventor of the geared Shay locomotive. He left a lasting mark on Harbor Springs, Michigan. His innovative locomotive, with its superior traction and ability to navigate tight curves, was favored by logging and mining companies worldwide. Thousands were built in Lima, Ohio, and some even ran on Shay’s own Hemlock Central Railroad, a fifteen-mile line north of Harbor Springs.
In 1891, Shay, an Ohio native born in 1839, built a unique hexagonal house in Harbor Springs. The six-winged structure, featuring a central core and utilized stamped steel for both its interior and exterior walls. Shay, a dedicated mechanic, contributed much to the town, including building and later donating its waterworks. His company also explored boat and automobile design, and he even built sleds for local children. Shay resided in Harbor Springs from 1888 until his death in 1916.
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