• Sunday-What'sUP October 16 - 02:59 am

Recently I was contacted by Lake Superior Magazine about a previous Shoebox Memory featuring the Lumber Men of the Mines. This led me on a search for other underground scenes showing wood reinforcements. Russ Emmons has a nice album of post cards, including this view of men at work on an expanding passageway.

For some reason this shot reminded me of that barrel-shaped corridor in The Hut, the new home of Pasty Central, which re-opened this past week. The more I think about it, part of the appeal of this building is that it feels almost like being down in a mine, with all the timbers overhead, and the unique lighting.

It really does look nice in there.

Mrs. Bill and I had an excellent dinner at the Hut last week. Charlie, an aside most unique in the area; background music that is just that, background music! ... plus not continual C+W either.

What a pleasant repast.

Charlie, I too enjoyed a great dinner on your opening night last Monday. Brought back memories. Whitefish, ribs and pork chops for our party of three. Excellent portions and taste. Will be back!

We always though that as well Charlie about the Hut!! It almost reminds one of being deep underground with the timbers overhaed and the dim lighting. The only difference would be the temperature and the smells of wonderful food being prepared (I don't ever remember a restaurant being underground in the Keweenaw ;-)

Yes, there was one, Capt. Paul. At one time the dining room for the Michigan House in Calumet was down in the basement - in the 1970s, I'm thinking.

Wow, no kidding! Never knew the MI House had its restaurant in the basement at one time. I do remember when it wasn't running a restaurant, and when the current one "came back."

I had my junior prom dinner at the Michigan House and the resturaunt was in the basement. That was in 1983. My date and I had the shishkabob.

What was the restaurant in Calumet on 5th St. that burned down? They had some great food there. Was very sad when that happened. Also loved eating at the Oak Room. But I do like the Ambience of the Hut. When we were there last weekend it brought back good memories of the place as it used to be.

It was the Red Garter that burned down.

The Zman and I ate at the Hut yesterday.....the food was very good. I was impressed! Way to go Charlie and everyone at Pasty Central !

Well, I meant a restaurant underground in a mine; I was caught on a technicality!! :P Anyways I remember eating at a restaurant when I was very, very young that was in a basement in Calumet. I bet it was the Michigan House then, but at that time I was too young to remember specifics.

Judging from the timbering in the postcard I would bet it is one of the C&H shafts, or possibly Tamarack as they used a lot of timbering as well.....

Thank you Daryl, that's what I thought it was but just wasn't sure.

We ordered twelve pasties and received them on Friday. They were so delicious! We had to keep from eating more than one each. Even my eight-year-old son thought they were great! We did get to put some in the freezer just in cast we get a craving again soon!

capt paul. it sounds like you have worked in the mines. If so what was it like?

Paul,
This postcard maybe mis-marked. This looks like Top Slicing to me, which was used in the Iron mines. Its not square sets that’s for sure, plus the openings is square, the development looks too vertical. Plus I maybe wrong on the top slicing but it doesn’t look like spiling or square sets. Plus the ground looks cruddy, maybe the men are caving the hanging wall in the Calumet and Hecla. C and H used to timber over mined out areas to protect the drifts from falling material as they were done scrapping, allowing the hanging wall to collapse onto the timbers, when from the level below to the exhausted level containing the protective timbering they would pull the timbers. The resulting collapse would de-stress the ground, and help prevent rock bursts. Just my speculations.