Copyright © 1996-2005
Kevin E. Musser

The Copper Country Depot

A Copper Country FAQ and more......

This depot was built on: 10/14/97
The last train arrived: 4/7/05

The Copper Country Depot FAQ is closed.

Please use the Discussion Board for all new entires.

A lot of information here over the 8 years of postings so enjoy the FAQ archive.

The second depot (1916) in Painesdale on the Copper Range

If you have ever poked around Usenet and found alt.great.lakes or model.railroads, the ones I would guess someone reading this page might find interesting, you find a lot of uninteresting stuff. The Copper Country Depot is my version of Usenet just for, of course, the Copper Country.

Inside the Depot:

The Baggage Room: This posting area is for people who are looking for a particular article of Copper Country Memorabilia, either past or present.

The Waiting Room: This posting area is for people who have a question about the Copper Country. Any subject!

The Signal Board: This posting area is for people who would like to post past/present/future information related to the Copper Country. Any subject!

The Copper Country Depot Baggage Room.

Response: Atlas Powder Plant at Senter.
Author: Kevin Musser
Date: 6/25/02
Copper Range ran two daily passengers trains (monday - friday) from Hubbell to Atlas, then from Atlas to Senter. This train would return to Senter and then on to Houghton. Two trains ran per day, one in the late afternoon (southbound) and then another in the early evening (northbound). These trains were second class and ran until the 1930's. The schedule allowed for 15 minutes between Atlas and Senter (an average of 16 miles/hour). The speed limit for this branch was 20 miles/hour in the 1920's.

This information is about the Atlas interlock:

The interlocking plant at Atlas is to govern the movement of trains crossing the Mineral Range track for Senter. The interlocker does not govern the movement of trains on the Copper Range main line but trains leaving the main line of the Copper Range will blow one long blast and one short blast of the whistle to indicate that they wish to cross the Mineral Range track. Main line switch on the Copper Range will be lined by hand, trains will then proceed as far as the derail, its location is indicated by the standard switch target and will serve as a signal governing the movement of trains across the Mineral Range. A similar derail and target is located on the Senter branch for trains leaving the branch and will serve as a signal for trains wishing to cross the Mineral Range track south bound.

Subject: Calumet Railroad Depot
Author: Valerie Amo
Date: 6/20/02
I am looking for information, photos, etc. about the Calumet Railroad Depot.  When was it built?  When did it close?  Who owns it now?  

Response: Calumet Railroad Depot
Author: Paul Meier
Date: 6/24/02
The Calumet, Red Jacket, depot was built by the Mineral Range in 1908.  That was during the most prosperous period for the railroad.  The second floor contained the division offices and at that time Red Jacket was the center of operations.  By 1915 the Mineral Range’s fortunes started to reverse.  Calumet & Hecla took over the Tamrack and Osceola Mines and part ownership of the railroad.  The Mohawk and Wolverine Mining Companies did not renew the contract in 1918 for MR to operate the Mohawk  & Traverse Bay RR, but rather awarded it to the Copper Range.  In 1923, C&H consolidated all its properties north of Portage Lake; in 1925 they built the Trap Rock Valley line to handle the rock.  By the early 30’s the MR was done beyond Calumet.  The Red Jacket Depot last served passengers in 1968 - the end of the Copper Country Limited. I don’t know who owns it now.  There were some men doing repairs during the Fall of 2000.  It appears to be in reasonably good shape and could have a function in the Park if some one is enlightened enough to use it

The Mineral Rage Depot in Calumet

Subject: COPR 951
Author: Herman Page
Date: 4/27/02
The pictures on this site show COPR refrigerator car 951.   What color was it?  Hard to tell.... white, yellow, grey?   Also, how long   36, 40.   I’d like to do a model,  but need some info.   Thanks

Response: COPR 951
Author: Kevin Musser
Date: 4/27/02
COPR 950-953 were all 36' according to John Campbell. Not sure of the color, yellow or orange I believe.

Subject: Bridge Tender
Author: Tracy Ridout
Date: 4/27/02
Can someone share with me the responsibilities of a railroad bridge tender

Subject: Q&TL tracks
Author: Dave Freeze
Date: 4/14/02
When were the Quincy and Torch Lake tracks pulled up. Are there any tracks still down besides the area around the mine? Also is any of the right-of-way to accessible to the public.

Response: Q&TL tracks
Author: Paul Meier
Date: 5/2/02
Judging from the maps available, Q&TL sidings around the mine changed with the mine.  The final configuration - 1945 - was still intact during the 60’s.  At that time the whole surface plant was pretty much the way it was left at shut down in 1945.  The first damage was done when a gas line was run through the property in either the very late 60’s or early 70’s, which was confined to the area around the roundhouse.  The worst came during the various scrap festivals of the past 20 years.  This saw, not only the railroad go, but hoists, boiler, compressors, pumps, and anything else worth a penny a pound.  The ultimate was the rape of the machine shop just before the Park era.  I don’t remember the exact dates because it is just too painful to recall.  The National Park devoted to Copper Mines was there intact.  The only satisfaction is that some of the perpetrators were indicted and convicted for some of their other low deeds.  Some of the last rail was used to cap some shafts, which is a far better use than the stuff that went to line pockets.

Route of the Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad (copyright KEMusser 2002)

Subject: Knights of Kalevala
Author: Kusty Linja
Date: 2/7/02
I would like to know what the main headquarters address is for The Knights of Kalevala. I know that the organization was first founded in Montana

Response: Knights of Kalevala
Author: Kevin Musser
Date: 2/13/02
I have read quite a bit about the K of K and I have not seen anything past the 1960's that points to anything active. I could be wrong, but I think they may have "dried up". There is quite a large section on the history of the K of K in the book (History of Finns in Michigan, by Armas K. E. Holmio, currently in print). If you come across any current information in this regard I would be very interested in what you find out

Response: Knights of Kalevala
Author: Kusty Linja
Date: 2/13/02
As of Oct. 1992 the active Knights of Kalevala chapters in the U. P.
are as follows: Aiitolaisen Maja No. 33 Negaunee;  Kullervon Maja No. 14
,Ontonagon; Osmon Maja No. 11, Ironwood;   Taaton Maja No.18 , Ishpeming;
Ainon Tupa No. 13, Mass City.  There were many other Chapters years ago but
all have been discontinued, most likely because the people died.

The K of K do have a year book titled "Kalevainen", also I do have the main address someplace I just have to find it. I don't know if you ever heard of "Salolampi" it is a Finn language camp sponsored by the "Kalaven Ritari" (K of K). I tried starting or reactivating one of the local chapters in Calumet or Hancock, but there were not enough people interested in it.  To reactivate you have to have at least 15 people willing to attend the meetings, pay yearly dues, at least 1/4 Finn blood, wanting to help their fellow Finns, and someone willing to retain records for the chapter. The K of K Motto is "come closer to Brotherhood ".

Response: Knights of Kalevala
Author: Mark Duggan
Date: 8/5/03
You asked about the sword and small blacksmith trinkets. The swords, although not of any particular value, were given to officers of the organization as part of our formal rituals. They were worn way back when during initiations, funerals, etc. The trinkets, if I recall correctly, are a small anvil and hammer and tongs. They are the tools of a blacksmith as you eluded. They were given many years ago to members who attained 6th degree highest status within the organization. One could only do this by attending the grand lodge ceremonies that were held every other year in different locations around the eastern states and southern Canada. The trinkets are symbols which are to remind Kaleva brothers of a story in the Kalevala Finnish national epic which tells of one of the characters struggles in creating the “sampo”, a mythical machine that could create anything which was desired. Attained 6th degree status last year, attending my first grand lodge meeting in Sudbury Ontario. As the youngest person in attendance, I was shown many of the older folks mementos and reminders of yesteryear. I saw these trinkets and was told there were at least 100 sets made, but as are yours, were passed on through the generations. Evidently they were to be returned, but few were. Best wishes, Mark. Your uncle would have been a member of the Suomalainen Lodge of Wakefield, MI. It was formed in 1911, but disbanded in 1965 as membership decreased. My history of the Knights named a John Niemi as a member but did not mention your uncle exactly as the history was incomplete. One of our brothers, Oiva Saarinen recently translated and added to a prior Finnish language version, A history of the Kaleva knighthood, the Knights of Kaleva, reprinted last year.  I can provide a copy to you if their is interest                          

Subject: Calumet Photos
Author: Dale
Date: 7/23/01
Help! I am looking for any pictures of a specific street corner in Calumet from the 1890-1925 time frame. There was an old Barber Shop on the corner of 5th street and Elm in a two story white wood frame building, most likely a house with a business on the first floor. My Great-Grandfather, Medoes Sangrass ran his Barber business in this location during the early 1900's.

The building is across from what is the City Hall now, and did not seem to have many pictures taken of it due to the Hall and the Theatre being across the street. Apologies for not knowing what side of the street this is (north, south, etc), but I would guess it as the north east side of the intersection. If anyone has one or more pictures of this location and could send me Jpg's/Gif, etc. that would be terrific! Thanks in advance.

Subject: Copper Country Drive-In's
Author: Larry Lewis
Date: 4/18/01
I am looking for information on two defunct Copper Country drive-in theaters. They were the Hiawatha Drive-In of Chassell and the Lakes Drive-In of Lake Linden. Does anyone know of their addresses and when they were closed down and if anything of them remains.

Subject: Movement of stamp copper
Author: Dave Freeze
Date: 4/18/01
I need some information on the operation of the C&H Ahmeek stamp mill..After the ore was stamped how was it moved from the stamp mill to the smelter. Also could you tell me how the stamped ore was moved from the Quincy stamp mill to the smelter. Was the finished product loaded into rock cars at the stamp mill?

Response: Movement of stamp copper
Author: Stuart Mathias
Date: 5/9/01
The DSS&A, ex- Mineral Range, ex-Hancock and Calumet, Lake Linden branch line was used for sure from the Ahmeek mill to the Hubbell smelter. There were two spur tracks, one to the boiler house for coal and another into the ground floor of the mill for both supplies and copper. I believe the same line was used west from Mason to Ripley for the Quincy, but the earliest operation was by tram from the mine to smelter before the stamp mill and railroad was built.

Subject: Phoenix Mine Information
Author: Andrea Olsen
Date: 2/26/01
I am looking for information on the Phoenix Mine which I believe collapsed sometime in the spring of 1916. It believe it was owned by the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Follow up questions from Andrea: Thank you very much for the information on the Phoenix Mine. I wonder if you would have any information on a collapse which occured in 1916 and a list of the miners who were killed. I believe my great-grandfather was killed in this mine and am looking for information regarding this.

Response: Phoenix Mine Information
Author: Kevin Musser
Date: 2/26/01
The Phoenix Copper Company started in 1843 on lands owned by the Lake Superior Copper Company. The mine operated from 1843 until it was purchased by the Stanton Group in 1899 and renamed the Phoenix Consolidated Copper Company. A narrow gauge railroad operated between the mine and the stamp mill located on the Eagle River, a distance of 3.5 miles and operated a Climax engine with assorted flat and rock cars. By the time of the end of the companies railroad the community started to be served as well by the Keweenaw Central Railroad in 1907. For a time the narrow gauge cars of the Mineral Range Railroad were stored on the companies narrow gauge tracks, when the Mineral Range changed to standard gauge.

Phoenix Shafthouse and Rockhouse on the West Bed, one of five viens worked by the Phoenix

The mine shut in 1905 and was under new ownership by 1908 and was now called the Keweenaw Copper Company. The Keweenaw Central was hauling mine rock to the mill by this time. Calumet and Hecla took over control in the 1920's and began to dewater the mine. By 1944 the C&H had purchased all the assets of both the Phoenix and Cliff and neither saw any mining from that point to today.

Phoenix operated a post office from 1865 until 1944, after that time mail was sent to Mohawk.

Subject: Portage Canal
Author: Kraig Funkey
Date: 1/22/01
I am looking for information on the portage canal, portage lake lift bridge and other information concering activities on or around the canal. Thanks Kraig, Owner of Keweenaw Star Cruises.

Response: Portage Canal
Author: Kevin Musser
Date: 1/22/01
Try my story on the three spans over the Portage for a start. You can find it at http://www.portup.com/copperrange/spans.htm

Subject: Knights of Kaleva
Author: Walfred Raisanen
Date: 12/14/00
My uncle, Willam Oscar Niemi, was a Knight of Kaleva, in Wakefield MI in the 1930’s.  I have a sword and belt, with a pouch containing miniature implements of what looks like a blacksmiths trade.  Can anyone tell me more about the significance of these artifacts. 

Response: Knights of Kaleva
Author: Kevin Musser
Date: 12/14/00
The Knights of Kaleva are a Finnish fellowship that focus on uplifting moral and educational standards of its members, development of fraternalism and brotherhood.  They provide protection and assistance for its members by unified and cooperative effort. I hope somone else can add details to the significance of the items in your possession.

Subject: Lost logging locomotive?
Author: Sevie
Date: 11/1/00
Has anyone heard of a “lost” locomotive left over from the logging day’s in the Whitefish Point area.  PBS mentioned the legend several years ago and the story also circulates around the town of Paradise. I have walked miles of logging grades looking for it.

Subject: Modeling the Lake Superior and Isheming
Author: Paul Meier
Date: 10/2/00
George Anderson had a bunch of Copper Country photos at this year’s National Narrow Gauge Convention.  Among them was a 0-6-4 or 2-6-4, the front was obscured, Mason Bogie on a Mineral Range flatcar in the Calumet yard around 1910.  Written on the back was something like “old NG engine off the KC”.  First guess was it was the C&H loco Allouez used on its way home.  But, it had the over the boiler Walschearts valve gear typical of a 3 ft gauge Mason which none of the 49” gauge C&H locos had.  Does anyone know of a 3 ft gauge Mason which operated north of Calumet?  This appears to a new Copper Country mystery.

Subject: Modeling the Lake Superior and Isheming
Author: Lon Cooper
Date: 9/23/00
Although this isn’t quite a copper country question I was wondering if any one might be able to provide me with some information.  My son and I are attempting to model the Lake Superior and Ishpeming railroad particularly the ore dock in Marquette.  Does anyone have some drawings or other information that would help.  Thank you

  Subject: Keweenaw Central successors
Author: Cindee Molnar
Date: 6/21/00
I am looking for any information regarding any or all of the following; current list of names of board members, trustees of the Keweenaw Central Railroad or it's successor.  This request in in regards to railroad right of ways in the village of Copper City.  Any information would be greatly appreciated as this is the only thing hold up our upcoming water distribution system upgrade project.

  Subject: McKinley Temple
Author: Gunnar Westin
Date: 6/2/00
In Painsedale there was, at least until 1939, a division of Templars of Temperance and Honour, called McKinley Temple, whose name was Herbert Hall.. There was also a womens division called Laural Social Temple and two youth sections, which in 1939 had about 75 members in the ages between 12 and 18 years. As a member of the scaninavian branch of that Order I very much would like to know if there is anybody that knows anything about what became of these Temples and their members. I would be most grateful for information in this matter. Please send your answer by e-mail to gunnar.westin@systeam.se or by mail to
   Gunnar Westin
   Flodins vag 54 B
   S-640 50 STRANGNAS
   Sweden

  Response: McKinley (McKimly) Temple
Author: Kevin Musser
Date: 6/5/00
The McKimly (notice the spelling, at least two sources spelled it this way, but they could be wrong) Temple of Honors meetings took place in the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) Temple, also known as the Opera House, and was located on Kearsarge Street in Painesdale. This building was removed in 1962, they may have met somewhere else by then. 

Painesdale I.O.O.F. Temple (Opera House) on Kearsarge Street, 
next door is the Finish Temperance Hall.

  Subject: Quincy and Torch Lake
Author: Olin Anderson
Date: 4/21/00
I enjoyed reading the information on the Quincy and Torch Lake, which I first discovered while visiting the Quincy Hoist in the late 1970s. Sadly, I have not been back since, and perhaps some questions I have might be answered. Besides the wooden gondolas and locomotives, are there other pieces of rail equipment from the Q&TL preserved in Keewenaw or elsewhere?
There were some interesting cabooses shown in the photos, and it would be awesome to see one of these restored at the hoist. Also- has anyone considered offering rides on the railroad behind a little gas or diesel locomotive? I imagine that would be an accomplishable task and another attraction for the museum.

  Subject: Quincy Dredge in Torch Lake
Author: Ralph Heun
Date: 3/21/00
When I Visited the area last year I saw the old Quincy Dredge which was run aground north around Ripley. How long has it been resting there and how did it ever escape being cut up for scrap? Is there any plans to restore or at least stabilize its condition?

  Response to Quincy Dredge in Torch Lake
Author: Kevin E. Musser
Date: 3/21/00
There are actually two Dredges out in Torch Lake. The first, which now resides in 40 feet of water in the middle of Torch Lake, was built in 1947 and sunk in 1956. You can still see the top of the superstructure from shore. The second, and the one you are referring to, was built after the first one sank and likewise did the same in the winter of 1968, right where it is today. You can find a nice diving site, which outlines a bit more detail that I have here by following this link, I have had a link to it on my site for awhile now, under the history section.. There is no effort I know of to restore or reclaim these interesting objects. Maybe someone else knows otherwise.

Subject: Charles Ongie
Author: Denise Brooks
Date: 1/9/00
I am looking for information about Charles Ongie. He was suppose to have worked on the Portage Lake Bridge around 1902. If anyone has any information they would be willing to share I would be most grateful.

Subject: Copper Range Consolidations #100 & 101
Author: Paul Meier
Date: 1/1/00
I am looking for information on the purchase and subsequent use of COPR's two big steamers 100 and 101. I had heard this Summer they came to COPR via the USRA, is that true? Once on the property how were they used? The roster I have has their tractive effort rated the same as the 20 series, but photos and other data indicate they were a much larger locomotive. Were they pooled with the others? Or did they end up more as a road engine? Thanks. 

Response to Copper Range Consolidation #100 & 101
Author: Kevin E. Musser
Date: 1/1/00
This is the information I have on the Copper Range "Big Boys". 
This information (except for the first two lines) comes from a report from the CRRR to the ICC dated 1/31/30.
Built: December 1917, Retired: March 1947
Desposition: #100 to Hyman Michaels Co., #101 to J. H. Green Co.
Builder's Numbers: 58278 and 58279
Diameter of Drivers: 60"
Boiler Type: Extended Wagon Top
Boiler Diameter: 73-7/8"
Boiler Length and Width: 107-1/8" x 75-1/2"
Tractive Effort: 42,700 lbs.
Factor of Adhesion 4.1
Weight in Working Order: 200,000 lbs.
Weight on Drivers: 174,500 lbs.
Weight on Lead Truck: 25,500 lbs.
Weight on Tender: 136,000 lbs.
Cylinders: 22"x28"
Valves: Piston
Valve Gear: Southern
Boiler Pressure: 185 lbs.
Tender Capacity: 6000 gallons water, 14tons coal
Schmidt fire-tube superheater
Hope this helps!

Response to Copper Range Consolidation #100 & 101
Author: Jim Fisher
Date: 10/3/01
These locomotives were bought at the time the railroad assuned operation of
the Mineral Range's line to Gay.  They were specifically intended to haul
rock from the Mohawk and Wolverine mines to their mills at Gay.  In the
1950's there were several railroaders around who remembered working these Gay
rock trains which ran until these mills closed.  They vividly remembered the
extremely rough ride these engines could dish out.  Thus they were unpopular
with engine crews.  The management loved them though because they were so
much more efficient and powerful than the 20-class, and used them as much as
they possibly could, especially after the Mohawk and Wolverine closed.  By
the late 1940's they were completely worn out which is why they were scrapped
and four 20-class engines chosen to back up the diesels.

Subject: "Copper Range stories"
Author: Joan Anderson
Date: 12/20/99
I am trying to find stories that my Grandfather wrote for the Daily Mining Gazette in the 60's. He was an engineer on the Copper Range Railroad. The Gazette would call him for a story and he would always give them one. His name was Joseph LaBelle. He had all his original stories when I was back here visiting in the early 80's but since he passed on, the family never found his stories. Like a huge mystery. I want these stories so bad but don't know how to get a hold of them. I'd thought the Gazette might have something on the internet, but no luck. My Grandfathers love of trains was special to all of us kids. If you know any info. I would love it dearly.

Response to Copper Range stories
Author: Kevin E. Musser
Date: 12/20//99
Your best bet is to view the Gazette's Microfile files at Michigan Tech's Archives in Houghton. You will have to have some idea of what dates you are looking for as they are not indexed.Good luck.

Subject: "CNW #175 and CB&Q coaches"
Author: L. Lime
Date: 8/10/99
My reason for writing to you today is in regards to current state of the CNW class R-1 4-6-0 # 175 and the Chicago Burlington & Quincy coaches that were owned by Clint Jones (one of the coaches is pictured as part of a train in your photo gallery). The Burlington Route Historical Society lists two of these cars, #6114, and 6168 as surviving in Hancock, MI. (The complete BRHS roster for passenger equipment is at: ) . I am presently working on a project to update current information on historic passenger cars, and other equipment, so that museums and individuals interested in such pieces for restoration can make better choices for their collections.

Finding current information on passenger cars, or historic rail equipment in general, is still a tough process. Specializing in passenger cars, I am particularly interested in the coaches. The CNW R-1 is also a very historic locomotive, and definitely deserves to be preserved. Have you seen these cars, or the locomotive recently; or know from a reputable source what condition that they are currently in? Are they still owned by Clint Jones? What does the current owner plan to do with them? How far away are they from connected or active track? Do you have any recent, or near recent photos of them?

I would very much appreciate any information that you would have on this equipment, or where or who I could find more information from.

Subject: Michigan Mineral Range
Author: Dave Pierce
Date: 5/23/99
Do you know of a Michigan Mineral Range company in Ishpeming? And do you know of any F units being delivered to them from the CNW? 

Subject: Keweenaw Central Switch Keys
Author: Bruce Scott
Date: 4/1/99
Did the Keweenaw Central Railroad have their own switch keys. If they did, would someone please post a picture of one. Were they lettered in any way?

Response to Keweenaw Central Switch Keys
Author: Stuart Mathias
Date: 4/28/99
They used regular brass switch keys made by Adlake, except the barrel is extra large diameter. The key cut is the same as for a Pennsylvania RR, dogleg to the right when looking at the key hole in the lock. Marked K C R R . Can't supply a photo 

Subject: Railroad right of way
Author: Anne
Date: 3/17/99
We recently heard that some railroad owned strips of land along the beach in Ontonagon and asked the owners or the land it crossed if they were interested in buying these strips of land. Can you tell me anything about this - i.e. What would be the advantage or disadvantage of buying it, who has been paying taxes on these strips of land, the RR or the property owners. Which RR is it that would run along the water front out of Ontonagon toward the Porcupines. Any information would be appreciated.

Response to Railroad right of way
Author: Dick Bates
Date: 4/11/99
The tracks in question running west of Ontanogan belonged to the Milwaukee Road. They were built about turn of the century & ran thru Green,& than to White Pine, the OLD mine that is.They turned south around Silver City& into W. Pine. I believe they were removed in the 1920s, but Ill have to check on that one. I assume the branch was to bring out rock & timber to Ontanagon where it went out by lake or the Milw. Rd. [Perhaps the rock was exchanged with the Cop. Range at Mc Keever, or the Mineral Range at Riddle Jct. nearby, to be milled at Keweenaw Bay.} I have seen parts of the old roadbed ,as well.

Subject: Quincy & Torch Lake RR Operations
Author: D. Freeze
Date: 3/08/99
I am interested in the Quincy & Torch Lake Rail Road. I need some information on the operation of the trains at the mine. Especially at the number 2 shaft. From the drawings I have seen it looks like there is some backing up to get ore cars spotted under the rock house. Is this the case or are the drawings I've seen incomplete. Also I am interested in the general operations of the rail road in general.

Response to Quincy & Torch Lake RR Operations
Author: Paul Meier
Date: 8/19/99
Yes, there was some backing needed to get rock cars spotted at Quincy No. 2 shafthouse. To get from the yard on the hill to any of the shafts except No.7, Quincy rock trains needed to negotiate a switchback. A cut bound for No. 2 shafthouse would most likely have the engine on the downhill end of the cut and would be pushed beyond the roundhouse and then pulled past No. 5 boilerhouse and No.2 hoisthouse past the leads to No. 2 shafthouse. From there the track arrangement would allow the loco to push the cut under the tipple and then pull the loads which would have been rolled to one holding tracks by the crew who loaded the cars. No. 2 was designed for gravity movement of the cars and was capable of loading moving cars, although I don't know it loading while moving was ever used. There was no clearance for a loco under the chutes so once spotted, the surface crew took care of the loading and moving. To handle cars at No.6, the loco most likely started from the yard on the uphill end of the cut and pulled it beyond the roundhouse and then pushed it the rest of the way to No.6. These are one way it could have been done if the railroad crews wanted, there were also enough places to run arround a cut so just about any method could be used. A study of the maps in the book OLD RELIABLE will show that the trackage at the mine was one big switching layout.

Subject: Painesdale Model
Author: R. Carlson
Date: 3/06/99
Did I read somewhere where K. Musser is buillding a model of Painesdale in his basement or garage.

Response to Painesdale Model
Author: Kevin E. Musser
Date: 3/06/99
Yes it was true that I was building a model of Painesdale in my basement. Was true, as I am in the process of a divorce and my HO scale railroad has been dismantled and is currently being stored at various locations. My  previous railroad was a model of the Copper Range from McKeever to Houghton but my next version will focus on the area from Houghton to Painesdale, and will be much smaller in overall size. I have presently completed a model of the Oil House and Captain's Office in Painsdale and am working on the final plans for my model of  the #4 shafthouse. The Oil house will be the subject of an up coming Hotbox article. I have also completed an evolutionary history of the structures surrounding Champion #4.

Subject: Bosch Brewery
Author: Milan Bosch
Date: 2/05/99
I am interested in acquiring advertising materials from the (old) Bosch Brewery I did notice a post of Bosch beer bottles. Would you know or could you point me in the direction of where I could find a sign, clock, ash trays, etc that might be available? Over thirty years ago I wrote the folks at the Houghton brewery and they sent me labels and other miscellaneous items and asked me to come for a visit. Unfortunately when we did visit the area a few years later, the brewery had ceased operations and the product was being made in Wisconsin. I might add that of all the places I've visited I still rate the Copper country as my favorite. I do hope to return someday. Thanks for your time and any help you might be able to give.

Subject: Niemi Family History
Author: VALERIE
Date: 1/18/99
TRYING TO FIND OUT ANY INFO ON GRANDFATHER THAT PASSED AWAY. DIDN'T LIKE TO TALK ABOUT HIS FAMILY, LATER YEARS UNABLE TO RECALL INFO. HARRY NIEMI FROM CALUMET AND WIFE IRENE ( MAMIE) FROM GAY,MI. MOVED TO DETROIT EARLY PART OF CENTURY. UNDERSTAND PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER JENNY PERTTU, HARRY RAISED BY HER MOTHER(?), STORY GETS FUZZY AT THIS POINT, FATHER/STEP FATHER JOHN NIEMI? TRYING TO PIECE TOGETHERR HIS LIFE FOR FAMILY, ANY DIRECTION/CONTACTS YOU COULD GIVE MOST APPRECIATED.

Subject: Montana Houghton Mining Company
Author: Tom Schmiermund
Date: 12/24/98
I am looking for information on the Montana Houghton Mining Company. Any information would be appreciated. 

Subject: Newport Mine
Author: Dan Capal
Date: 12/21/98
Where is the Newport mine? Was it a copper or iron ore mine and which railroad(s) served it?

Response to Newport Mine
Author: Tom Roberts
Date: 2/18/99
Newport Mine (Newport - Bonnie Mine) - east side of Ironwood (iron ore mine) opened 1886, shipped every year except 1932, until 1961. Greatest depth 3260 ft from ground level. Total Shipment: 36,706,484 tons. (Found in the book called: Saga of Iron Mining in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, by Burton Boyum; page 35)

Subject: Copper ingots
Author: Dave Beckstein
Date: 11/22/98
Can anyone supply the dimensions for the copper ingot that were shipped via the Copper Range. I have a miniature but would like to add some ingots, in scale, to my flat cars. Thanks Dave.

Response to Copper Ingots
Author: Scott Janz
Date: 2/5/99
I recently acquired one from the White Pine mine. Not sure if that is what Dave is looking for, but here is the dimensions of what I have. 19" wide at the bottom, 17" wide at the top, 3 1/2" deep bottom, 2 3/4" deep top, 2 1/2" high. It has two 'v' notches on top-dims as follows, both are 1 1/2" deep, both are 3 1/2" wide. It is like the ingot on this website, but the notches are 'v' shaped instead of 'u' shaped. Weighs 37 lbs. Others I have seen were heavier about 50 lbs. In the late years at the plant, these were loaded haphazardly in the boxcars not on pallets, I was told. Contact me for further info.

Subject: Michigan passenger stations from the U.P.
Author: Louis Van Winkle
Date: 11/11/98
I have been working on a site about Michigan Passenger Stations. http://user.mc.net/~louisvw/depot/ So far there pages for nearly 30 depots. But none from the UP.Does anyone have photos of a UP depot they would care to share.

Response to Michigan Depots
Author: Tom Roberts
Date: 2/25/99
There is a woman in Iowa who sells postcards of depots. She has 80 of the UP and 450 in the LP. the cards sell for 3 dollars each.

Miss Roberta Niesz
1715 B. Ave. NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
Send a business sized SSAE for a Michigan depot list.

Subject: Steam on the H&TL / C&H
Author: Matt Foland
Date: 11/1/98
I have an interest in the Helca and Torch Lake Railroad, later the Calumet and Helca Mining Co., do you have any informantion on the steam locomotives on that road?

Subject: Marquette, Houghton and Ontonagon RR
Author: Don Capal
Date: 9/19/98
The Marquette, Houghton and Ontonagon R.R. sold #32, a Rodgers 2-6-0 built in 1882 and named ANNEMEEKEE, to a railroad called the "LSI & C. Co." . Is this a very early LS&I or another railroad altogether? I saw a picture of it in Marquette in 1913. What would all those initials stand for ?

Response to Marquette, Houghton and Ontonagon RR
Author: Dick Bates
Date: 9/22/98
The engine, MH&O #32 ANNEMEEKEE, went to DSS&A in1886 as # 32. It became#210 in1888, was sold to the MINERAL RANGE RR Mar.1,1903. It was later sold to the Lake Superior Iron & Chemical Co. July 10,1913. thus the LSI&C MARKINGS ON IT. Although the plants address was in Newberry, it had a large plant in Marquette. It had no formal business connection with the LS&I RR, but must have interchanged w/it since the LSI mainline from Presque Isle Yard to downtown& points east& south ,went right past the plant! The DSS&A was probably not involved as it was on the other side of town. No final disposition was shown for the engine, it may have worked many years at the Marquette plant, or at Newberry, just not sure. Souces: The Railroads of Marquette,MH&O Roster P. 32 THE SOO July, 1984, by the late Prof. Aurele Durocher. Also: Research done by myself on the Rail lines & Industries of the Marquette area,{part of the complex was still up a couple years ago,not sure now} Its located right off Lakeshore drive, about a mile north of downtown, just before you reach the NMU Campus & Lakeview Arena

Additional Response to Marquette, Houghton and Ontonagon RR
Author: George Anderson
Date: 10/15/98
The ANNEMEEKEE was a 2-6-0 Mogul built by Rogers Locomotive & Machine Co. in 1882, C/n 2963,18 x 24 cylinders,54 in. drivers
 

Subject: Bosch Brewery Bottle and Ad
Author: Terry Roehm
Date: 7/8/98
Kevin, I was excited to read your article on the Bosch Brewery as a friend of mine had ask me to pick him up any old bottles or signs I could find on the Bosch Brewery. I bought him a bottle and a sign from Bosch Brewery Co's. Malt Tonic with no dates or much information just that it was brewed in Lake Linden. I am sending you a picture of the bottle and sign in your e-mail, any information or dates on the bottle and sign would be greatly appreciated. 

Response to Bosch Brewery Bottle and Ad
Author: Kevin E. Musser
Date: 7/8/98
The Bottle and display are from 1912-1915 as a description for the bottle reads as: 31pt. Amber, AB Co., Hand finished lip for brown cap (c 1912-15) The bottle photo I have has the words Lake Linden at the base of the neck and run all around the bottle. Yours did not have this but it is from the same period I am sure. The photo is on page 17 of "Old Bottles and Jugs of Michigan's Copper Country" and you should still be able purchase this book. It is a must for anyone collecting bottles in the Keweenaw.

Subject: Cliff Mine
Author: Dave Freeze
Date: 6/9/98
I have seen various pictures of the Cliff Mine area. In some pictures there is a white fence and in some of the later pictures the fence is gone. Does anyone know when the fence was taken down

Subject: Redridge Photos
Author: Jeff Klein
Date: 5/11/98
I was looking for old pictures to see what the Redridge area looked like. Do you know where I can look to find that. 

Response to Redridge Photos
Author: Kevin E. Musser
Date: 5/11/98
The best source for Redridge photos is the Copper Country Archives at Michigan Tech (3rd floor). They have a vertical file containing photos of Redridge and you can also ask the very helpful staff to point you in the direction of other photo collections, like the William Brinkman collection. Mr. Brinkman was a long time resident of Redridge and took many photos. For another source you can look on-line at Robert Goniea Homepage, he has a collection of Redridge photos like the one shown here as well as a very good history of the town and Atlantic / Baltic Mills. Be sure to click on the photos on his page to find further information. Visit the Industrial Heritage of Redridge Michigan by Robert Goniea

Redridge around 1910.

Subject: Calumet & Helca rolling stock and engines
Author: R. Bates
Date: 4/28/98
I am looking for any info on C&H RR during 1948-1968. I am looking for photos of late steam, diesel and rolling stock, along the same idea of your COPR RR color photos. I am also looking for anything on the two Alco RS-1's C&H got from LS&I around 1966. I know the Baldwin swichers went to EL&SRR, but the RS-1s, after being listed in the reading"C&H the Final Chapter", seem to have disappeared. do you or anyone have anything on this? Either the C&H in general,and/or the RS1s inparticular would be a great help!

Response to Calumet & Helca rolling stock and engines
Author: Tom Roberts
Date: 6/17/98
This information regarding C&H RS-1's was obtained from an article which appeared in the April 20th 1974 edition of the Daily Mining Gazette.
#206 - Sold to S.P.Ojala Salvage Co.; Shipped to GB&W shops in Green Bay to be brought up to I.C.C. standards, then sold to Diesel Supply Co. in Wisconsin. (It was sent from Calumet sometime in the week prior to date of paper.)
#205 - Sold to S.P.Ojala Salvage Co., Shipped in May '73 to Nekoosa-Edwards, in Wisconsin.

Subject: The Calumet & Helca in Colorado ?
Author: Dave Beckstein
Date: 4/19/98
I was wondering if any one has any information on the affiliation of the Calumet and Hecla Company to anything in Colorado. South of Buena Vista, Colorado on the Arkansas River, there is a rafting take-out named Hecla Junction. This in itself might be unusual but the spur that left the D&RG mainline serviced the Calumet mine. Don’t know what they mined. Having lived in the Copper Country this is a strange pairing of names for else where in the U.S.A. Thanks for a GREAT web page. I vist every week to see what’s new

(I do know that the C&H did have an operation in Globe, Arizona, but not sure about Colorado. KEMusser 4/21/98)

Response to Calumet & Hecla in Colorado
Author: Paul Meier
Date: 3/9/99
Calumet and Hecla was a very big name in mining and it was quite common to find, Calumet, or Hecla, worked into mining company names. The area you refer to, Dave, I believe was an iron mine which supplied CF&I.. There were various Hecla's and Calumet's throughout the West. Profits from C&H found their way West. Col. Livermore a C&H officer invested heavily in the Telluride area. His son-in-law Bulkelly Wells was a classmate of McNaughton.

Subject: Houghton County Traction
Author: Mike Sutinen
Date: 12/30/97
Does anyone know what type of vehicles were used by the Houghton County Traction Company around 1913? I know that the line ran from Hancock through Redjacket to Mohawk, and I would like to include a portion of it on my HO scale railroad. Thanks

Subject: Kaleva Temple
Author: Joe Allen
Date: 10/26/97
I have a question regarding the Kaleva Temple in South Range. I have tried to find information about it's history etc., but have come up empy handed. Can you offer any help? Thanks

Response to Information on the Kaleva Temple
Author: Kevin E. Musser
Date: 10/27/97

Orginally started in 1907 and 1908 the building could not be completed by the first owner and in 1909 the Knights of Kaleva purchased the uncompleted sandstone structure and completed it in 1910. The Knights of Kaleva were a secert Finnish society modeled after the Masons, but adapted to Finnish culture. The society was started in 1898 in Montana and by the time this structure was completed there were thirty lodges in the U.S. with 3,000 members, 10% of which were located in the Copper Country.

The Knights of Kaleva get their name from Kalevala an epic poem written by Elias Lonrott. Many artists have taken from this work which include a very close resembance between "Kalevala" and Longfellow's "Hiawatha". 

Contained within this structure have been a dentist office, restaurant, various other lodges and groups, grocery, clothing store, a hardware store and a justice of the peace. It also housed the U.S. post office from 1915 until 1977 and the Royal Theater. 

The theater seated 250 people and opened in 1910. The building is on the National Register of Historical Places. A description of this building comes from Clarence Monette's book South Range; "This historic structure was built of Jacobsville sandstone, a regionally important building material. The temple was buillt with a flat roof so that a third story could be added if necessary. Ceilings were steel-plated. It is a two-story building of rough cut, course sandstone masonry, embellished with smooth stone facade trim and cornice trim along the flat roof line. A slightly projecting midsection extends vertically through the facade elevation, framing on the first floor a staircase entrance to the second story and on the second, a stone panel inscribed "Kaleva Temple". A knobbed cornice cap with pedimented peak, and inscribed with the construction date of 1910, tops the center projection." 

Subject: Information on Horace Greeley and the Keweenaw
Date: 10/18/97
I know there is some specific historical connection between Eagle Harbor, Michigan and the famed journalist Horace Greeley who said "Go West Young Man." I'm wondering if you can tell me what it is? I'm sure I saw reference to it somewhere IN Eagle Harbor.

Response to Information on Horace Greeley and the Keweenaw
Author: Kevin E. Musser
Date: 10/18/97
Horace Greeley visited the Keweenaw in 1847 and in 1848 aboard the Independance. He had an investment in the Pennsylvania copper mine near Eagle River and went there to check it out. He put to shore in 1847 in Eagle Harbor and stated that for lack of a pier the cattle was just tossed overboard into the icy water and left to swim ashore. They at least got a small boat.

>From Angus Murdoch's famous Boom Copper I relate the follow:

"According to his own account , a total stranger named Bailey wrote asking Greeley to serve as a director in a projected copper mine in the Keweenaw and offered a block of stock as an inducement. He not only accepted but traveled all the way to Eagle River and spent considerable time running the affairs of the Pennsylvania Mining Company during 1847 and 1848. All he accomplished in the course of two years was "coaxing several assessments from unwilling stockholders." His single success in the Copper Country had little to do with mining (his statement on "go west young man" I believe what he is refering to). During his spare time he solicited subscriptions to his New York Tribune from mining officials' wives.

In his misguided enthusiasm for the Copper Country, Greely waited until the last boat of the season before he embarked for home. There was no dock at Eagle River and he put out in an open boat to board ship. A heavy sea was running, and the little craft was tossed like a toy in the waves. The great Greeley was pulled aboard just before Superior dashed his boat to pieces."

He left the Keweenaw and "moved west" to Colorado to dabble in mining there.

Also from The Cliff by Donald Chaput

"Horace Greeley left his editorial duties with the New York Tribune in the summer of 1847 and visited more than tem mining companies on the Keweenaw - he was financially interested in the Delaware and a few other properties. Greeley was no mining expert, as he admitted, but his comments on these early operations are perceptive."

Subject: Calumet History
Date: 10/14/97
I am looking for some information on Calumet's history. Specifically I am looking for :
1. When did the name change from Red Jacket to Calumet?
2. Why was it originally named Red Jacket?
3. Did the name Calumet have anything to do with the great Calumet and Hecla mining company?
4. When was Red Jacket/Calumet founded and any important dates thereafter.
Thank you for any information which you can provide.

Response to Calumet History
Author: Kevin E. Musser
Date: 10/14/97
The Calumet Lode was discovered by Edwin Hulbert in 1864. Quincy A. Shaw found eastern money to develop the mine. Alexander Agassiz bore the physical brunt of establishing the mines in the wilderness and was most directly involved in the creation of the Calumet community.

The following was extracted from #65 in my collection.

"Red Jacket was incorporated in 1875 which grew up northwest of the mining area. When Red Jacket became crowded and population soared in the late 1880's and 1890's another village developed southeast of the mines; it was known at first as Calumet Village but after 1895 as Laurium. It's first village election was held in 1889. Other mining locations sprang up around the mine and were known as Albion, Blue Jacket, Yellow Jacket, Raymbaultown, Red Jacket Shaft, and Tamarack. These locations, with Red Jacket, Laurium, and the original Calumet, Hecla, and South Hecla mining locations, were known collectively as Calumet.

Calumet is a French word meaning reed or wood shaft, 1.5 to 4 ft long, perforated, decorated, and used by Indians in consultations and offerings to the gods. Hecla was named after an explosive nineteenth century volcano in Iceland. Tamarack is an Algonquian word for a tree accoicated with water. Red Jacket was a famous Seneca orator, a dispatch carrier for the British during the American Revolution, supplied by them with a dazzling red coat. Blue Jacket, a Shawnee chief, led many a contingent in battle against American settlers in Ohio in 1794. While the name Yellow Jacket identifies certain wasps, its use at Calumet seems to have originated in an attempt to find a name to conform with the others. Laurium was named after the rich Greek silver mines active about 500 years before the brith of Christ and mentioned by Thucydides.

Hulbert claimed that he had introduced the names Calumet and Hecla. Red Jacket retained its name until 1929 when the village was officially renamed Calumet."

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