The Quincy Mine's No. 2 Shaft House 1934
|
Located within the Keweenaw National Historical
Park, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the site of the Quincy Mining Company. It became one
of the first commercially successful, and longest operating mines in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The Quincy Mining Company began exploration in the late 1840s, and centered its operations along
the Pewabic Lode. When Quincy ceased underground mining in 1931, its shafts reached 5,000
feet below sea level, making it the deepest mine in the United States. The No.2 Shaft house
reached a final depth of 9,260 feet.
The Quincy Mine operated between 1846 and 1945, although some activities continued through the
1970's, and was known as "Old Reliable," as the Quincy Mining Company paid a dividend to investors
every year between 1867 and 1921. The company closed operations, (but did not dissolve) in
1931 due to low copper prices. During World War II, the mines re-opened due to increased
need of copper for the production of munitions. When the government stopped supporting
copper prices after the war, the mines quickly closed for good.
The Quincy Mine buildings and grounds are currently maintained by The Quincy Mine Hoist Association,
and have now become a popular Keweenaw tourist attraction. During the summer, guided tours
of the Number 2 Shaft House, and several of the mine tunnels are provided. The tour includes
a ride on a passenger cog rail tram that travels five miles underground into the mine, and gives a
first-hand view of the mine's operation.
|
|
|
|
|
The Champion Mine and Copper Range Railroad
The Champion Mine features the oldest standing rock house in the copper county, and is located in
Painsdale Michigan. Recently, restoration has begun in an effort to restore this site to the
condition of its glory days, and reflect on its history. The Champion Mine, part of the extensive
Copper Range Company, was once a major producer of native Michigan copper. The drawing, inspired by
an old photograph, depicts the Copper Range Railroad engine No. 29 being loaded at the mine.
Engine No. 29 was a 2-8-0, and is shown as it and the mine looked in 1924.
|
|
 |
|
|
THE KEWEENAW CENTRAL
The Keweenaw Central, a short line railroad, carried the copper
ore rock down grade to the Lac La Belle gravity fed stamp mill where
the ore was extracted. The town of Delaware was built around the mine.
This reporduction also depicts the area logging operations. The logs
were used as supports in the mines and tunnels as well as to build the town.
|
THE COPPER RANGE RAILROAD
Locomotive number 29 departed the mining town of Calumet, Michigan,
located in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This
is an area in Michigan rich in copper and silver and where the first
mineral rush of our great nation occurred. Copper was mined here starting
in 1845 and ending in the 1960s. Exploratory mining continued until
the 1970s. The Copper Range Railroad was the first standard gauge
rail road in the Keweenaw Peninsula and was incorporated in 1898.
The railroad served the copper mines and stamp mills of the area
as well as logging, freight and passenger service.
|
 |
|
|
THE CALUMET & HECLA
The Calumet & Hecla railroad, located in the center of the Keweenaw
Peninsula, served the Calumet & Hecla mines in the area, which were
the largest copper mining operations in Michigan. There were many
shafts under the center of the city itself. In the drawing the locomotive
Torchlake, is at the water tower and is taking on water for the day's
chore, while the locomotive on the bridge is pulling an ore train
from the Calumet mines. Seen though the portal, under the bridge,
is the old Mineral Range railroad, once a narrow gauge line that was
absorbed into the Copper Range railroad. All railroads in the Keweenaw
Peninsula have been abandoned and all tracks have been pulled up.
The mines are closed and the structures have been torn down. The locomotive
Torchlake, built by Mason Boggie in 1878, is the only existing locomotive
of its kind and is operating at Henry Ford Museum during the summer
months.
|
THE QUINCY MINE
The Quincy Mine shaft house
number two is located in the south end of the Keweenaw Peninsula
of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This drawing of Quincy number two
shaft house depicts the mine as it looked in 1897. A newer steel
shaft house was constructed in the early 1900s to replace the outdated
wooden structure. Shaft house number 2 has been restored and displays a great
history of an era that is gone forever.
|
 |
|
|
THE EASTWOOD FARM
Located in the northwest part of Michigan's lower peninsula, the Eastwood Farm was constructed in
the late 1800's. This drawing depicts life during the depression era of the 1930's. The
Eastwood farm survived the depression by raising cattle. The house, now more than 120 years
old still stands.
|
THE SHCULZ MILL
In January of 1886 three brothers from Germany purchased a piece of
land off Hannon Road in New Boston Michigan for $170. In August of
that year they took out a mortgage for $1,500 to build a mill near
the Huron River. It was a perfect place to build the mill since the
property was located on a sharp bend in the Huron River. The rear
of the mill was once used as the Shculz family home. Two larger additions
facing the North is where all the work was conducted.
|
 |
|
|
OLD MACKINAC POINT LIGHTHOUSE, 1900
The Straights of Mackinaw is a treacherous
waterway with shoals and islands dotting the Straights between Lake
Huron and Lake Michigan. Construction on the Mackinac Point Lighthouse
started in 1892, and the lighthouse enabled safe navigation of the waterways
until 1957 when it was closed. The Lighthouse has been restored and
tours are available.
|
WHITE RIVER LIGHTHOUSE
In the early 1800's western Michigan consisted of seemingly endless forests.
By 1850, several saw mills had begun to work the area forests, which increased local ship
traffic. With a growing frequency of wrecks in the area, it appeared that a lighthouse
was needed. A survey of the area was conducted and land was obtained for the new lighthouse
in 1874. The foundation was laid from native limestone blocks, and the walls constructed
of yellow Michigan brick. The spiral cast iron stairs were manufactured in Muskegon, and
the cast iron lantern room was prefabricated at the Milwaukee lighthouse Depot, and delivered by
lighthouse tender. The lens rotated at a speed of one half a revolution per minute, and
showed as a fixed white light varied by a flash one a minute. In 1875, William Robinson
became the first keeper of the new White River light.
Unfortunately, the new lighthouse did not prevent a number of shipwrecks and vessels from running
aground in the area over the ensuing years. The shore-based light station was
decommissioned in 1960, and the Fresnel removed, crated and shipped to the Detroit Coast Guard
Depot. Fruitland Township purchased the structure in 1966, and converted it into a
maritime museum. The museum was opened for the first time in the summer of 1970.
|
 |
