Jutting out into Lake Superior the Keweenaw Peninsula had the largest deposit of pure elemental copper in the world. In the early 1840s, the US Government signed treaties with the local Native Americans that unleashed the copper boom; an essential component of everything from guns to cookware to telegraph wire. The saying "Go West Young Man" was really directed to encouraging men/miners to tame the Keweenaw Peninsula. Forget California!
Remote and inhospitable the Peninsula flourished as a mining center and became a mecca for immigrants from around the world. In Calumet, 30 languages were spoken on the streets, 6 foreign language newspapers were published, and world class theater was performed. And like most booms, when the copper ran out and the trees had all been clear cut the area sunk into a gritty poverty.
Today tourism (both summer and winter!) and a couple of universities drive the economy.
The 2 UP seasons: Winter and Almost Winter. Ha.
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| Lovely stone building from very successful Calumet & Hecla Copper Mine. |
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| Calumet Theater opened in 1900 -- sign of a wealthy community |
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| Snow Fall Record from 1978-79. Snow and more snow. Everyday for months. |
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| Driving a backroads to a grove of "old growth" pine. |
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| Copper Harbor Lighthouse at the "top of Michigan" |
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| Ridge top above Copper Harbor looking out towards Eagle Harbor and Isle Royale. |
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| Eagle River Lighthouse |
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