Barbara Bouwkamp was out and about in the Calumet area snapping a few photos of the Landmarks that folks notice from the mining days, when the area was booming. I’ve always admired the building in the first photo. That was the Calumet and Hecla Library back in the day, but now houses the Keweenaw National Historical Park History Center.

The second photo is the Alexander Agassiz Statue in front of the KNHP History Center building. The statue was unveiled at the dedication of the Agassiz Park in Calumet back in 1923, but was later moved to this location. Agassiz made a career as a reef scientist, zoologist, science administrator and mining engineer, eventually becoming the President of the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company. The mines have been closed for decades and Agassiz died over 100 years ago, but his mining legacy is still seen in the area, with the company-built houses, schools and churches that were built at the company expense and on company land.

In the third shot from Barbara, we see one of the reminders of those mining days, what is left of the Centennial Mine which is located not too far from the Hut, in Kearsarge. If only all these old buildings and shaft houses could talk.

Today’s video comes to us from Bob Gilreath. That’s his wife Liz, using a snow scoop to clear off their deck after the last storm dumped on us. Bob said to take note of the hill she is climbing to dump the scoop... it’s a 3 step drop to the yard in the summer. I’m hearing we may get some more snow toward the end of the week, so this will get all us Yooper’s primed for the next storm.

Question #1: Can that sky get any more blue?
Question #2: Where is Bob? Sitting in the easy-
chair, watching the games while Liz does the 3
step drop???

Beautiful pics and Liz is a SISU TROOPER with a
great attitude, Bob... you're a lucky man! :)

I love it when a Pasty post entices me to do more research. I knew of Alexander Agassiz’s contribution to much of the study of geology and mining in the U.S. but until today I was unaware that his first and foremost love was as an ichthyologist (I’ll let interested parties look it up if needed).

I knew that Alexander’s contribution and reputation to the natural sciences in the U.S. was only surpassed by his father, Louis Agassiz. Both he and his son were great contributors to Harvard, scientifically and financially.

One disturbing thing I also just learned is there is an active campaign afoot to cancel dear Louis for his biblical beliefs in Genesis leading to his study of Polygenism.

BTW, the Michigan Tech research vessel is named the R/V Agassiz:

And there's also the 8000 year old ancient glacial lake, Lake Agassiz in southern Manitoba and eastern Ontario. Now since almost gone but once was larger than all the Great Lakes combined.

Thanks D.A. very interesting

Thanks John,
Oops, western Ontario. It's so big, it might as well
have covered the whole thing.