Keweenaw National Historic Park

31 July 2022 Sunday

Posted 29 March 2023

Today we leave Eagle River, spend time exploring the history of Calumet, and find a camping spot on Lake Superior.

0936 48,165 Walked to the waterfall in Eagle River before thanking our hosts and leaving Smokin’ Soul.

0958 48,181 69° Calumet

Returned here to see more of Calumet and the Keweenaw National Historical Park. Much of the town and support buildings for the huge mining operation have been preserved here.

Lots of interesting background on the mining company is contained in displays at the Keweenaw History Center. One display had a 2.5 cent bath coupon that lead to us learning that a heated swimming pool was built underneath this library. Books and baths were a few of the benefits that lured workers to the mines.

More on the complex in this brochure.

The Calumet Theatre opened in 1900 with a modern electrified copper chandelier.

Can you guess what this is? *

The impressive 1898 Firehouse is open to the public. Stables for the horses that once pulled fire wagons are in the back. Hay and oats were stored on the second floor.

*The answer is a dimmer switch for theatre lights. That’s one big rheostat!

Calumet had a serious railroad infrastructure to move copper and supplies. A few unique pieces are on outdoor display like this bright orange Russell Snowplow. Steam locomotives pushed this plow to help clear the tracks from the Lake Superior snowfalls.

Trains were used underground as well. This low shovel loaded ore into the trailing hopper cars.

A huge piece of natural float copper is on display. Found nearby in 1970, it weighs 9,392 pounds!

Our van trip here was easy compared to the route mine workers traveled. From an NPS display on advice for travel from the East Coast in 1869: “I should advise his going via Chicago, thence by North Western Road to Fort Howard (Green Bay), taking a steamer there to Escanaba, thence by railroad to Marquette and from that point to Hancock by Boat. At Hancock he will find stage to get to Calumet.”

We enjoyed spending three hours at this Historical Park. Wrapped up the visit with a souvenir photo.

1252 Replenish groceries at IGA and Leave Calumet

Descending from Calumet to Hancock on the Veterans Memorial Highway provided this view of Lake Superior.

1300 48,198 Reaching lake level, we watched kids jumping from the Portage Canal light tower.

Just north of the canal we found room at McLain State Park. McLain’s “Modern Campground” has 98 sites.

Site 13, on the lakefront with 30 amp power (no water or sewer), was $35.

We were thrilled to have an unobstructed lake view. Pre-positioned Adirondack chairs were a bonus.

It was warm enough that we went for a swim directly from our campsite! The clear water was warmer than we expected.

Campground showers were great, with individual doors & no coins required.

We had one bar of Verizon cell service.

Good night from Hancock, Michigan on the shore of Lake Superior.

Today’s Route

(Click image to enlarge)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply