Keweenaw County

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Keweenaw County

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Bammert Blacksmith Shop

Bammert Blacksmith Shop was built in 1882 at Clifton. The building was moved in 1901 to its present location at Phoenix. The building was re-opened in the spring of 2000. The original blacksmith tools are on display. Open to the public.

Additional Information

Location: 1/2 mile from US 41 on M-26 in Phoenix.
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More information: 906-289-4990, 906-337-2244 or www.keweenawhistory.org.

Central Mine

One of the most noteworthy historic sites in Keweenaw County is Central Mine, the village and site of a mine begun in 1854. By the time it closed in 1898, the mine had produced 51,875,527 pounds of refined copper. The Keweenaw County Historical Society has acquired a total of 58 acres in Central since 1996, which includes original residences. There are 10 houses and a Methodist Church. Four of the houses are rented to seasonal residents.

Additional Information

Location: On US 41, 4 miles N of Phoenix, located on a hillside.
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The church is open one day per year during the Central Reunion at the end of July. A visitor center is open daily during the summer with numerous exhibits. More information: 906-289-4990, 906-337-2244 or www.keweenawhistory.org.

Cliff Mine

The Cliff, which began operations in 1844, was the Keweenaw's first profitable mine. The mine produced 40 million pounds of copper, much of it being chiseled from great masses weighing 100 tons or more. The village of Clifton was named after the mine and was located near the church foundation and cemetery.

Additional Information

Location: N from Ahmeek on Cliff Dr., then follow Cliff Cemetery sign.
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More information: 906-289-4990.

Delaware Copper Mine

Delaware is one of the earliest copper mines in the area, having operated from 1847 until 1887, at the start of the country's first major mining boom. Approximately 8 million pounds of copper were extracted from the site during its 40-year operation. Opened in 1977, the Delaware Copper Mine has been preserved just as it was left at its 1887 closing. Visitors descend 100 feet below ground on stairs through the 31-foot shaft, and venture 900 feet through the mine's first level where the story of 1800s mining is told. Mining equipment, antique engines and trains are displayed throughout the grounds, and a deer pen features two miniature deer. All are accessible via a picturesque walking trail. A gift shop to greet guests with an orientation video completes the facilities.

Additional Information

Location: 38 miles N of Houghton and 12 miles S of Copper Harbor on US 41.
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More information: 906-289-4688 or https://delawarecopperminetours.com/

Eagle Harbor Lighthouse & Museums

In the mid-19th century, when roads to this area were almost nonexistent, the infant community of Eagle Harbor saw a dramatic increase in waterborne commerce, including incoming settlers and supplies and outgoing shipments of copper and logs. Lake Superior's unreliable disposition meant incoming and passing ships needed navigational assistance, and in 1851 the original lighthouse was commissioned. In 1871 the lighthouse was replaced with the present red brick structure. The Keweenaw County Historical Society became the 22nd "keeper of the light" in 1982, and through museum exhibits, period furnishings and interpretive devices, the history of this structure has been brought back into focus. Besides the lighthouse, there are three museums on the lighthouse site: the Maritime Museum is in the old fog signal building; copper mining in the garage buildings; and a commercial fishing exhibit in the assistant light keeper's house. This is the only light that is still operated by the Coast Guard. The Keweenaw County Historical Society became the owner of the buildings and property in 1999.

Additional Information

Location: US 41 to M-26. In Eagle Harbor, take Lighthouse Road.
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Open June-October. More information: 906-289-4990, 906-337-2244 or www.keweenawhistory.org.

Estivant Pines

Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary, approximately 500 acres, is the largest virgin white pine forest in Michigan. Two looped trails of about a mile each, lead visitors on easy-to-moderate hikes through this magnificent forest ecosystem. The Estivant name comes from the French family that owned the property, including nearby Clark Mine. The pines were saved from logging many times due to harsh terrain and weather, and were saved from the saw forever thanks to the efforts of local activists and a timely purchase by the Michigan Nature Association. The oldest white pines are estimated to be about 500 years old.

Additional Information

Location: On US 41, turn right in Copper Harbor. Take Manganese Rd. to Clark Mine Rd. and then turn right at the beaver pond. The pines are located approximately 6/10 of a mile farther.
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More information: 906-281-3500.

Fort Wilkins State Park

Built in 1844 to keep the peace in Michigan's booming copper country, Fort Wilkins is a well-preserved example of a nineteenth century frontier military outpost. The fort was abandoned in 1846, but re-garrisoned in the late 1860s to house Civil War veterans. Long a popular resort for outdoor enthusiasts, the fort became a state park in 1923. Twelve original structures survived, and army life comes alive through exhibits and living history costumed interpretation. The state park also contains copper mining sites from the 1840s, and a lighthouse museum with restored buildings from 1848 to1866.

Additional Information

Location: On US 41, one mile E of Copper Harbor.
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More information: 906-289-4215.

Keweenaw Mountain Lodge

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and Golf Course is surrounded by the wild and majestic beauty of Lake Superior and the Keweenaw Peninsula. The original 1935 lodge, a Civil Works Administration Project, is an example of rustic elegance. Lodge amenities include a picturesque dining room, 34 rustic log cabins with fireplaces, an 8-unit motel, and a conference center that can accommodate 250 guests. Activities include a 9-hole golf course, non-motorized trails, snowshoeing and a snowboarding terrain park. Enjoy nearby Copper Harbor, with access to Isle Royale and numerous shops just a mile down the road.

Additional Information

Location: 1 mile S of Copper Harbor on US 41.
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More information: 906-289-4403 or www.atthelodge.com.

Phoenix Church and Townsite

St. Mary's Church was built in 1858 to serve the Catholic residents in the mining community of Cliff, the scene of the area's first major copper discovery in 1844. Services continued until 1899 when the church was dismantled and reassembled in Phoenix, where it was renamed The Church of Assumption. Masses were held until 1957, marking a century of providing spiritual guidance to mining families and their descendants. In 1985 the Keweenaw County Historical Society took over the property and began extensive repair and restoration work. Although now deconsecrated, the church is still used for weddings, memorial services, and an annual blessing of the pets. Look for nearby foundations of the school and Methodist Episcopal Church.

Additional Information

Location: On US 41 in Phoenix at the junction of M-26 to Eagle River.
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More information: 906-289-4990, 906-337-2244 or www.keweenawhistory.org.

Rathbone School

This one-room school has had an unusual career since classes were dismissed for the last time in 1872. Justus H. Rathbone, who began teaching here in 1860, conceived the idea in this building for the rituals of the Knights of Pythias, a secret fraternal society that he founded. This interdenominational organization, which had a peak membership of a quarter-million, carries on charitable work, always placing great emphasis on its high moral standards. The site has long been an object of pilgrimage by society members from the United States and Canada. In 1982, the property was deeded to the Keweenaw County Historical Society, whose extensive restoration and interpretive work assures that this small corner of Keweenaw's past will have a meaningful future.

Additional Information

Location: Eagle Harbor, two blocks W of the harbor on Center St.
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More information: 906-289-4990, 906-337-2244 or www.keweenawhistory.org.