The Upper Peninsula of Michigan
A Different World - Part Three
Just down the street from Calumet is a small town of Laurium. Some of the wealthy mine owners built their homes in this town. The Laurium Manor is a B & B by night and a museum by day. The mansion has 45 rooms and boasts a 1,300 square foot ballroom on the third floor. Just down the street is the Victorian B & B, an equally impressive mansion. Such wealth amid such poverty.
Continuing North on US 41 are town after town sprung up because of the mining industry. They are reminders of an era long past. At the northern terminus of Rte.41 is Copper Harbor, the ferry dock for Isle Royale National Park, fifty miles in Lake Superior. The State of Michigan also operates Fort Wilkins State Park. Fort Wilkins was built in 1844 to keep the peace among the miners, after the land was ceded by the Chippewa Nation to the USA. Copper was always known to be in the area, but now "we" could get our hands on it legally. The Native Americans had been mining the pretty metal for thousands of years. Everyone knew it existed, but not in such great abundance. In the State Park are numerous shafts going down over 125 feet, dug by the miners who came in the 1840s.
Found out a new word today: sutler. A sutler is a store in a fort which carries nonmilitary articles, such as tobacco, alcohol, playing cards and other amusements, like today's PX. This was different from the quartermaster's store where only military supplies could be gotten.
Drive to the top of Brockway Mountain. This is 735 feet above Lake Superior with views on a clear day as far away as Isle Royale. The CCC during the depression erected the stone walls along the road. They are a marvel of engineering.
There are many other side trips to take in Keweenaw County: Delaware Mine Tour, Eagle Harbor and Lighthouse, Copper Harbor Lighthouse, Mandan Ghost town (named after the Mandan Indian tribe who were fair haired and blue eyed-some say descended from the Welsh).
On the way back to Hancock, take the mandatory stop at Gay, MI. A smoke stack is the only remaining symbol of the copper stamping plant which was there. Gay has one bar, appropriately called "Gay Bar". If it wasn't for the name, the bar would be just one of the local dives you find in any small town. What makes this so unique is the name and Yuper is spoken there. Yuper is more a frame of mind rather than a language. Sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. It is well worth the $2.00 for the beer.
Stop at Adventure Mine for an underground tour. This is different than the ones at Quincy or Delaware Mine. What made this interesting is that the mine tour went from one side of the mountain to the other side. On this side was an overlook of the countryside. To the right was a manmade cave. Native Americans mined for copper at this spot. Archeologists date the excavation to be more than 7,000 years old. Lake Superior was six hundred feet higher then and this area was a island. The archeologists found stone hammers under the slag pile. These hammers were rounded and formed to fit the hands of either right or left handed people. The stone is not native to the area, but is found in Northern Canada.
Visit the Restoration Project at the Victoria Mines. This is near Rockland, MI, once the second largest town in the UP. The project consists of five two story houses which bunked twenty four men at a time. They slept in shifts. Wives did the cooking, laundry, etc.
John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a full-time RVer, who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music., A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org
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Michigan Upper Peninsula Attractions
Munising, Michigan
Munising, Michigan is a Midwest vacation travel of treasures. Little known, the quiet little city of Munising in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is one of the most beautiful cities in the Mid West.
Au Train Recreation Area
The area is rich in natural resources and the perfect area for a quiet and peaceful vacation get-away for the entire family. Enjoy Michigan Upper Peninsula in Au Train, Michigan.
Munising, Alger County Michigan Attractions
The City of Munising, Michigan will provide your entire family with an avalanche of outdoor recreation activities and enjoyment- Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
