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Collecting Copper Stories

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Collecting Copper Stories Park News National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior 1931 Calumet and Hecla Stamp Mill at Lake Linden, Keweenaw NHP Archives Collection Collecting Copper Stories ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE INDICATES THAT NATIVE Americans were mining here 7,000 years ago. They took advantage Superintendent’s of outcrops of float copper on the surface and followed copper Message veins, using a variety of tools to extract it from the ground. Extensive trade routes carried copper across eastern North Welcome to a unique and new unit of America; Keweenaw copper beads, tools, and ornaments have been the National Park System - Keweenaw found in Louisiana, and appear in ceremonial mounds preserved at National Historical Park. The park is Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa. unique in the sense that it was European explorers followed the trails left by prehistoric miners, established upon a broad partnership and started the first mineral rush in the United States in 1843. mandate between government (federal, Spurred by the Civil War and the rapid industrialization of state, local) and non-governmental America’s cities, several prominent mining companies entities that - collectively and established operations in the Keweenaw. The Calumet and Hecla Keweenaw NHP Archives collaboratively - will provide many of the Mining Company produced over 75% of the nation’s copper Hancock grew up around the Quincy Mine; the slope of traditional visitor services experienced in during the 1870s. Even by 1886, the company was still responsible Tuzcuccu Street surely provided thrills for young cyclists. other units of the National Park System. for supplying half the nation’s copper. Just twelve miles away, the Quincy Mining Company, established in 1846, was well on its way Ta ke, for example, one man’s experience working for the Quincy Please, keep two things in mind as you to earning the nickname of “Old Reliable” as it steadily extracted Mining Company. In 1926, Frank Shabal was working in the visit: (1) the developing nature of both copper from the Pewabic Lode. No. 6 shaft. Two men on his shift, Finnish and Italian, were the park and our partnership will evolve instructed to work in a stope that was known to be dangerous over many years; and, (2) the story of Between 1880 and 1920, thousands of people immigrated to the – miners had heard the rock cracking underground. The the Keweenaw is much more than that Keweenaw to find work in the booming deep-shaft mines. At one Finnish man refused, on the grounds that he had a family to point, over 33 different nationalities were represented in Calumet support. The displeased mine captain struck the Finn in the of mining copper. However, like the alone, including Italians, French-Canadians, Croatians, and mouth hard enough to knock out a tooth. “In them days, a accompanying articles testify, exciting Chinese. Immigrants established ethnic benevolent societies, couple of them bosses, they would punch before they progress is being made in shaping the churches, and saloons, helping new arrivals make their way in the explained,” Shabal reflected. “In other words, we were slaves.” park’s future. We invite you to visit and community. Mining companies managed business through explore the park’s Cooperating Sites to corporate paternalism, providing not only jobs but also schools, Memories such as these connect important aspects of the learn first hand some aspect of the hospitals, homes, and even tennis courts for their workers. Keweenaw’s history to the larger picture of America’s copper story. Visit and walk the streets immigration and labor history. Such stories remind us of the of Calumet, marvel at its’ resplendent Through recording oral histories, Keweenaw NHP is saving price many people paid to earn a living in this country, and architecture, imagine shops of all unique, first-person accounts of the copper mining industry’s preserving these accounts ensures that they will not be forgotten varieties supporting a population in history. By documenting and preserving important personal by those who have inherited their legacy. perspectives, we remind visitors and local communities of the excess of 60,000 people 100 years ago! role we all play in creating history. By Jo Urion See mighty Lake Superior and the Park Historian, Keweenaw NHP rugged wilderness of the peninsula and imagine what it took to carve out a ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ living and life here in an area virtually isolated from the world seven months of the year! Take in as much as your visit Contrast this park experience with a journey by boat across Lake Superior, will allow and hopefully you, too, will Parks in the Neighborhood ending up at Isle Royale National Park. Here, the natural environment over- become enchanted by the song and whelms evidence of man’s workings. This is a place that has defied perma- Located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are two neighboring national parks story of the Keweenaw! nent human habitation over the centuries. with special stories. One is a remote and wild archipelago surrounded by Lake Superior while the other is situated on a peninsula rich with Experience a land without roads, with rugged scenic shorelines, cold clear pure, elemental copper that produced the greatest longevity, produc- lakes, and wild creatures. Whether exploring this wilderness by foot, tivity and technical innovation in North American copper mining. Isle kayak, canoe, or powerboat, there are superb opportunities for soli- Royale National Park and Keweenaw National Historical Park each tude and reflection. One is likely to see moose and loons and per- Frank C. Fiala offer their own unique experiences. haps, with luck, hear a wolf howl. It is almost guaranteed that one Superintendent will return to the mainland feeling refreshed after visiting this fasci- Visiting Keweenaw National Historical Park provides glimpses of a vibrant nating ecosystem unlike any other in the world. copper mining era from the turn of the 20th century. As one explores the remnants of the industry left behind, they may feel dwarfed by the Despite the vastly different experiences these parks offer, they share a enormous scale of the mining operations such as Quincy Mine. A stroll commonality of mission. Both parks are tasked with preserving their unique Inside This Newspaper through the industrial core and historic downtown of Calumet may resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of present and provide one with insights into the hopes and dreams that the many future generations. Both parks are administered by dedicated professionals Interpretive Services .................. Page 3 ethnic groups brought to this community. committed to providing effective management of these national treasures. Exploration of this ‘company town’ reveals evidence of the corporate pater- These two parks are part of the larger National Park Service system working Cooperating Sites....................... Page 4 & 5 nalism that once existed. Understanding and appreciating how the copper to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and industry shaped both the landscape and the lives of the region’s residents, outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. A visit to these Visitor Information .................... Page 8 both past and present, can only be accomplished through discovering the parks will offer you a taste of what the National Park Service is all about. many facets of Keweenaw National Historical Park. By Betsy Rossini, Administrative Officer, Isle Royale NP and Keweenaw NHP The Ingot — 2004 INGOT_04_FINAL 1 5/16/04, 9:43 PM Preserving Calumet’s “Main Street” Visitors to community life: shopping, working, industry’s ties to the Boston financial markets, Main Street not only aids in the Keweenaw recreating, and living. Calumet, which is to the grandeur of the Calumet Theatre (c. rehabilitation of Calumet’s cultural National Historical situated in the heart of Keweenaw NHP, 1900), the first community-built opera house landscape, but also fosters the desire for Park (KNHP) will is a natural choice for such a program. in the country, Calumet’s downtown area is a preservation among residents, see many testament to its rich heritage. Preserving this developing community leaders who will references to “Main Once the center of financial and cultural vital resource is essential to providing the champion preservation efforts into the Street Calumet.” activity in Michigan, Calumet boasts some of societal link to the story of copper mining. future. By elevating the level of pride However, you will the finest historic architecture in the state. Were this resource to disappear, visitors and felt by the community for its copper not find a village From its modest Payne & Webber office residents alike would lose a vital element of mining heritage and recognizing the thoroughfare that (c.1890), which bears witness to the copper Copper Country heritage. aspirations that were achieved by their bears the name forebears, the program seeks to bring “Main Street.” Instead, you will find a downtown Calumet back to its former historic downtown emerging from the acclaim: a bustling center of social life and throes of decline, striving to regain the service-oriented shopkeepers, all set against stature of an era gone by, and starting to the backdrop of beautiful historic
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