Underground and surface tours are available at Quincy Mine. The hoist remains intact within one of the Keweenaw’s most beautiful buildings, surrounded by stone ruins of all shapes and sizes. This truly massive feat of engineering provided the power needed to haul ore from such depths, earning Quincy the nickname “Old Reliable” for paying dividends to its investors for an unheard of length of time (over half a century!). 2 Hoist House contains the largest steam hoist ever built. The Quincy Mine Hoist once pulled copper (and miners) from deep underground.Īdding to Quincy’s glory (we like to brag about our mining heritage up here), the Quincy No. At the time of its closure in 1945, this was the longest mineshaft in the world! Owned by the Quincy Mine Hoist Association, the towering structure once pulled copper ore from a 9,260’ mineshaft driven over a mile beneath the surface. 2 Shaft-Rockhouse atop the hill overlooking Hancock. Please recreate responsibly and remember to leave no trace.Īside from the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, you’d be hard pressed to find a more iconic symbol of the Keweenaw than the Quincy No. Always be sure to ask the experts before you head out so you know if a site is open to the public. Stick with the listed locations below and avoid trespassing if you see something cool while driving around. Don’t make modern day researchers’ lives more difficult by leaving your trash too!įinally, mining ruins are everywhere in the Keweenaw and often lie on private property. Today, those old garbage piles give us an opportunity to learn more about how people lived long ago. Historically garbage was often tossed in midden piles and may appear to be worthless (or worth adding to). Remember to always pack out your trash and leave what you find. Respect historical sites and walk carefully as you proceed through old industrial sites. Although the chances of finding an open mine shaft are slim, you might find a slippery trail or unstable rock wall that could pose a risk. Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for jagged material as you hike around. Loose rock, rusty metal, broken concrete, and other hazards are often present. Wearing closed-toed shoes is generally a good idea during your visits. It’s up to you to keep the Copper Country story alive! Once history is lost, we’ll never get it back again. Even the National Park Service cares about our region’s history! Please do not damage, deface, remove objects you find, or otherwise impact these special places during your visit. We’ve gathered together some of our favorite ruins that are close to the hustle and bustle of town so you can get a flavor of what life was like during the Keweenaw’s heyday.Īlthough we call them ruins, many of these historic sites are actually well preserved by a wide variety of groups that care about our local heritage. Although the mines have long since closed, many of the structures remain. As the two most central cities in the growing copper mining district, dozens of mining ventures and related businesses popped up to support the trade. Nowhere is that more true than in the Houghton & Hancock area. Wherever you go you’re almost guaranteed to find a historical site nearby! Some are mere remnants of their former glory, while others stand tall decades after the last whistle blew. Mining ruins are everywhere you look in the Keweenaw, a testament to how all-encompassing the Copper Mining era was in our community.
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