The Keweenaw Peninsula: Copper Country

In the 1840 the copper rush started and this area built up from the boom.  The area is recreational now and you will see places vacated for many years. 

I decided to head east and go along the eastern shore and come back by the US 41.

No one could tell me the story behind the name.

Dollar Bay is a small inlet on Portage Lake that you see here. The far end of the lake was opened to flow into Lake Superior.

Some times you see a sign and just shake your head.

The Brockway Mountain Drive, 8.8 miles, has several nice vista spots to enjoy the scene.

The Copper Harbor Lighthouse was built in 1866.

Fort Wilkins is a restored military post in a State Park. Originally built in 1844 to keep order in the area as the copper mining was booming.

Painedale like many of the towns started because of the mining. This town named after William A. Paine who was part of this mine operation, but a founder of the Paine Webber brokerage. These saltbox houses are from the glory days.

A copper mine as it is going in the good days.

Through this area we see old shafts no longer in service.

Some mines are open for a tour.