Imagine a parallel universe where the lodes of copper in the Keweenaw were 10 times the size. The greater potential wealth tilted the scales in favor of Calumet to be Michigan's capitol, instead of Lansing. Henry Ford started his plant in Houghton-Hancock instead of Detroit. The triangle from Ontonagon to L'Anse to Copper Harbor subsequently became the Metropolis which would have been Southeast Michigan.

The 2002 world series arrives... Who would the Keweenaw Clippers be playing? Perhaps that lowly team from the wilderness downstate?... the Southfield Tigers? Ah, but how likely would it be that two teams from the same state would be playing this year?

Thanks to JoAnne Stefanac for sending the Pasty Cam this photo, with the simple note on the back: "Keweenaw baseball team 1921".

YUCK. Leave the rat race downstate where it belongs. Leave us in this glorious, serene spot. No concrete jungles here...just pristine, rugged, clean lands.

Well said Auntie.

I have the Keweenaw Centennial newspaper from
1961. It includes a picture of the Mohawk Cricket team, members listed were,Mac Maloney,Sam Pascoe,
Jim Wall, Jos.Williams, Rutter and John Trevarrow.
The 1930 Baseball team include
R.Thompson, K. Collins,C.Rapson, R. O'brien,
Sirola, Sibola,Josby,Rillstone, Ruonavaara, Rutila, E. Johnson, H. Rapson, Dr W.T. King and Gordon Rapson, manager.
Unfortunately they printed the pics in bluish ink and it is fading.
Alicia
http://www.mfhn.com/houghton/

Was Coppertown USA ever once called Copperama? I recall a Copperama that I used to go to, but can't quite remember just where it was.

Alex

Just me again,
Copperama was at the old Isle Royale mill site between Houghton and Chassell. This was during the '60's.

Although 1921 was a year after his death, the front center player with the white sleeves bears a close resemblance to George Gipp!

My history teacher in Ontonagon High School always told us that the mines had plenty of copper but the drop in the price of copper is what actually caused the mines to close. The idea was that it became cheaper to produce it in less labor intensive ways, like the open pit copper mines of the west, or with cheap labor such as in South America. I know the copper mines around Rockland, Greenland and Mass City have large chunks of copper inside of them. As a kid growing up around there, I spent some time climbing around and exploring where I shouldn't have.