Most Michiganders know that our state played a large role in the earliest days of the copper mining industry, but it’s easy to forget that we once sat at the very forefront of this booming business. Here are 11 incredible photos that will help you gain an entirely new appreciation for the Great Lakes State’s influence on the development of copper mining throughout the nation.
Most of Michigan’s copper is found in the western portion of the Upper Peninsula.
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Michigan’s “Copper Country” is unique because it produces a form of copper that’s more pure than similar metals found in other parts of the country.
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While copper was originally mined by Native Americans around the year 5000 BCE, Michigan’s “mine rush” began in the mid 1800s.
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The majority of early mining took place along a 100-mile section land that reached from Keweenaw to Houghton.
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Between 1845 and 1887, Michigan was the national leader in copper production.
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Miners from across the country flocked to Copper Country in search of work.
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Popular mines included the Tamarack Mine, the Cliff Mine, and the Phoenix Mine.
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During these peak years, our state produced nearly 95% of America’s copper.
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Mining continued throughout the early to mid-20th century, reaching its height in 1916, when Michigan produced over 250 million pounds of copper in one year.
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As modernization continued throughout the states, the mines slowly lost their influence in the area. Copper mining eventually became far less prominent in the region.
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While the Upper Peninsula’s primary economic sources are now rooted in tourism and logging, its rich copper mining history will not soon be forgotten.
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Does your family have any historical tie to Michigan’s copper mining industry? Please feel free to share your stories in the comment section below.
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