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An ancient vanished race mined native copper hundreds of years ago in countless pits and trenches scattered among the hills from Copper Harbor to Ontonagon and on Isle Royale. The explorer, Jacques Cartier reported in 1536 that Indians on St. Lawrence River told him of great hills of native copper far to the west. The Jesuit, Father Claude Allouez, was the first white man to report seeing copper along the south shore of Lake Superior. This was in 1666. In 1771 a company was organized in London England which sent an unsuccessful expedition to these shores to mine copper. A treaty between the U.S. Government and the Chippewa Indians on March 12th, 1843 opened the district to mining. During the succeeding years mines were discovered that for two generations produced a large percentage of the world's copper. The first successful mine was the Cliff Mine near Phoenix on U.S. 41. It was located in 1844. The conglomerate lode at Calumet produced over 4,000,000,000 lbs. of copper and paid over $160,000,000 in dividends. Scattered along U.S. 41 and M-26 you will find road-side markers that record only a small percentage of the ghost mines in which the hopes, the ambitions and the fortunes of a tough and hardy group of pioneers lie foever buried. We pay tribute to their memory. It was their courage and confidence that led to the enrichment of mankind. In the pure air and the scenic beauty of Keweenaw Land we have an "ore body" that can never be "mined out". We invite you to share it with us and wish for you a pleasant and memorable visit.
Keweenaw County Road Commission |