Keweenaw Peninsula (Copper Country): Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  You start your journey at the Portage Canal Lift Bridge in Houghton.

• Hancock and Houghton

  Houghton, founded in 1851, and Hancock, founded in 1859, thrived due to profitable copper mines.

• Quincy Mine

  Quincy Mine, known as "Old Reliable," produced 726 million pounds of copper between 1856 and 1925. Tours offer a glimpse into mining life, including a ride on the Midwest’s only cogwheel tram.

• Quincy Smelting Works

  Back in Hancock, the Quincy Smelter, built in 1898, processed nearly a billion pounds of copper, separating it from rock through superheating.

• Winter in Keweenaw

  Keweenaw winters are long and snowy. Locals enjoy snowmobiling, skiing, and other winter sports, as well as cozying up by the fire.

• Big Louie

  Boston Location, now a ghost town, was home to Big Louie Moilanen, Michigan's tallest man at 8 feet 3 inches, who worked in the Boston mine before dying at 27.

• Titanic Survivors

  The Keweenaw was home to Titanic survivors Maude Sincock and Agnes Davies, who were originally scheduled to be on a different ship.

• Lake Linden

  Lake Linden, founded in 1868, offers historical charm with stops like Lindell's Chocolate Shoppe and Saint Joseph Catholic Church. It's only four miles off the main route.

• Laurium

  Laurium, initially called Calumet, was renamed in 1895 after Lavrion, Greece. It grew rapidly during the mining boom, becoming the largest incorporated village in the country.

• Ruth Ann Miller

  A memorial for Ruth Ann Miller, who tragically fell into the Tamarack Mine Shaft in 1966, serves as a reminder of the dangers of living near former mines.

• Keweenaw Vortex

  Visit Prospector’s Paradise rock shop, and then explore the Keweenaw Vortex out back, believed by some to have healing and supernatural properties.

• Ahmeek Mine

  Ahmeek, named for "beaver" in Ojibwa, housed a mine with four steep shafts. The miners often partied hard at Safety Parties to celebrate good safety records.

• Mohawk

  Mohawk, founded in 1898, saw miners using candles on their helmets long after others switched to oil lamps. "Hard Luck Ed" Johnson, a local legend, overcame numerous injuries to enjoy his active life.

• Pasties

  Miners carried Cornish pasties for lunch—meat and veggie-filled hand pies. Traditionally served with ketchup in the Keweenaw, though gravy is also popular.

• Snow Thermometer

  The Keweenaw Snow Thermometer, standing 35 feet tall, marks snow levels, with the highest recorded at 32.5 feet in 1978-79. It's a must-stop for a photo.

• M26 Turn

  Turn left onto M26 to drive along the scenic Lake Superior shoreline, built in 1933 and known for its beautiful views and wildlife.

• Crestview

  Crestview Casino, a non-gambling, alcohol-free pavilion, attracted thousands for music and dancing from 1909 to 1925 before burning down.

• Eagle River Falls

  Eagle River, founded in 1843, is one of the oldest towns in the area. The beach is a great spot for agate hunting, and the courthouse is Michigan's oldest in use.

• The Jampot

  The Jampot, run by monks, offers delicious baked goods and jams. Stop for treats and visit nearby Jacob's Falls, a beautiful roadside waterfall.

• Jacob's Falls

  Jacob’s Falls, a two-tiered waterfall, is accessible via a pull-off across from the falls or from the Jampot parking lot.

• Great Sand Bay

  Great Sand Bay offers stunning Lake Superior views and a perfect spot for a picnic. The parking area is on the right with amenities.

• Cat Harbor

  Cat Harbor, named after a shipwreck's cats, is a scenic spot with a narrow beach. It’s a quiet stop for enjoying the view.

• Eagle Harbor

  Eagle Harbor, established in 1844, features a lighthouse, life-saving museum, and rich history. Butter Bay commemorates the "butter boat wreck" of 1929.

• Eagle Harbor Lighthouse

  The Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, built in 1851, offers a museum and is said to be haunted. Park on the main road if driving a large vehicle.

• Life-Saving Museum

  The Life-Saving Museum in Eagle Harbor displays early rescue boats and recounts heroic rescues like the L.C. Waldo shipwreck in 1913.

• Keweenaw Underwater Preserve

  The Keweenaw Underwater Preserve protects numerous shipwrecks along the coastline, established in 1991 to prevent vandalism and salvage.

• Brockway Mountain

  Take the turn for Brockway Mountain for stunning views and bird watching. The mountain, named for early settlers, offers the highest above-sea-level drive between the Alleghenies and the Rockies.

• UP Immigration

  The Keweenaw saw a diverse influx of immigrants in the 1800s, including British, French, Finnish, Italian, and Swedish communities, shaping the region's culture.

• Yooperese

  Locals speak "Yooperese," influenced by Finnish, Italian, Cornish, and Swedish languages. Pronounce "sauna" as "sow-na" to fit in with true Yoopers

• .Brockway Wildlife

  The road to Brockway Mountain passes through multiple nature and wildlife sanctuaries, offering hiking, biking, and skiing opportunities amidst wild blueberries, towering pines, and bald eagles.

• Brockway Overlook

  At the top of Brockway Mountain, enjoy breathtaking views and fresh air, with only a cellphone tower and visitor sign marking the spot.

• Brockway Mountain Hermit

  Bill Mattila, the Hermit of Brockway Mountain, lived off-grid in a 12-by-12 cabin without electricity or running water, enjoying visits from curious guests.

• Esrey Park

  Esrey Park, on the left, features a stone walkway to the water, perfect for a brief stop and agate hunting.

• Agate Point

  Agate Point is known for its abundant agates, formed from ancient volcanic activity. Look for brightly colored, banded, slightly transparent stones.

• Isle Royale

  Isle Royale, a National Park and former mining hub, offers hiking, boating, and a ferry from Copper Harbor. It's a historic escape with minimal pollen allergens.

• Lake Superior

  Lake Superior, formed by volcanic and glacial activity, is the world's largest freshwater lake by area. Its size makes it both calm and volatile.

• Devils Washtub

  Devil's Washtub, a local secret, is a swimming hole on calm days and a blowhole during storms. Park at the unmarked gravel pullout for access.

• Copper Harbor

  Copper Harbor, the gateway to Isle Royale, is a haven for mountain biking and snowmobiling, with a rich history of shipwreck rescues.

• Brockway Town View

  A viewpoint above Copper Harbor offers stunning scenery. Turn right at the brown sign and enjoy the platform view before returning to town.

• Porter's Island

  Porter's Island sparked Copper Harbor's mining history. Early settlers built tents and log cabins here while waiting for mining permits.

• Fort Wilkins

  Fort Wilkins, built in 1844 to keep peace between miners and Indigenous people, was quickly abandoned. Explore its historical complex surrounded by water.

• Conclusion

  Your tour ends here.