Standing 5 stories high on the ridge that forms the Keweenaw's base, the Quincy Mine is the first to let you know you've arrived in Copper Country.
- Location
- 47.1357, -88.5731
- Don't Forget
- Binoculars, a warm jacket or sweatshirt, closed-toe shoes.
- Best Time to Go
- Anytime
Fresh Coast Tip
Even on hot summer days, it stays a chilly 43 degrees down in the mine shaft, so bring a cozy sweatshirt. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety.
Standing 5 stories high on the ridge that forms the Keweenaw’s base, the Quincy Mine is the first to let you know you’ve arrived in Copper Country.
Once the busiest mining site during the copper boom, this registered National Historic Landmark spent 99 years tapping precious metal from subterranean veins more than a mile deep. The goods were then hauled to the surface courtesy of the largest steam-powered hoist engine ever built.
The Quincy Mine’s impressive output and tireless efficiency earned it the nickname “Old Reliable.” The adjacent Shaffthouse, built in 1908, remains an engineering wonder to this day, with multi-level stages that enabled just three workers to process 1,000 tons of rock in a day.
Explore the mine complex with an above-ground tour that shares the history and culture shaped by the Keweenaw’s copper industry, or dive deep (pun intended) into the mine’s workings with a below-ground tour that takes you 365 feet into the earth.
No matter which tour you choose, be sure to include a ride on the Cog Wheel Tram. Not only is it the only working model of its kind in the Midwest, but it also offers unparalleled views of the Portage Lake Lift ridge, Houghton, and the Huron Mountains.
Whether you’re a history buff, an engineering connoisseur, or just curious about where the Keweenaw gets its cultural quirks, this historic landmark is a unique way to experience the history of Copper Country for yourself.
Photo: Adam Johnson / @whiskeyandradiators