• Sunday-What'sUP September 30 - 06:40 pm

Karen Karl scanned these old photos of her mom and friends taken back in the days when Fort Wilkins was only about a hundred years old. This week's Pasty Cameo is the first installment exploring the beginnings of the Fort, which occurred at the start of the Copper Boom.

It was interesting to note that the man who first sent troops to Copper Harbor had actually received votes for Vice President of the United States a few years earlier. William Wilkins was Secretary of War in 1844 when he sent up two companies of infantry, which built the fort they named after him. In the election of 1832, Wilkins had received Pennsylvania's electoral votes for Vice President, apparently in protest of the official Democratic Party nominee, Martin Van Buren. Has it ever been easy to understand politics?

By the way, a nice view of Fort Wilkins is included in the 2009 Pasty Cam Color Calendar, which is full of incredible aerial shots by Neil Harri taken all across the U.P. Neil has provided some great shots for the Pasty Cam, now in its eleventh year, and the 2009 Calendar has some of his best.

A couple of other Pasty Cam photographers had a special day yesterday, as Barb Nelson and Marlin Wenberg were married in Dollar Bay. (Well, not actually in the Bay, but rather the church in town). Edie and I had the priviledge of attending, and helping them eat a little cake, too. Congratulations Barb and Marlin, best wishes in your new life together.

Tune in next Sunday's Pasty Cameo for more of the history of Fort Wilkins. Have a good week :o)

I hate to admit it, but I haven't seen Copper Harbor since the summer of 1974. I guess we all get in a rut now and then. I hope that when I finally get to come home to the Copper Country, I'll get to actually see more of it than I have in the past.

Today is the big polka celebration in South Range - a Copper Country tradition - and, doggone it, I am stuck here in Fort Myers, Florida. I hope everybody has a lot of fun today and I wish I were there with you.

A lot of us Copper Country folk have been transplanted to other cities and states over the years - some temporarily and others permanently. For a lot of us, logging on to Pasty Central helps to sooth the homesickness that lingers!

I do my part in one respect: I produce the Polkatime America radio feature which has been in syndication now since 1990. Locally, the show aires over Eagle Country 105.7 FM Sunday afternoons from 5 to 7 PM. But if you are stuck living somewhere else like I am, you can hear some good old Copper Country flavored polkas right here on line - this morning! Log on to 247polkaheaven.com Sunday mornings from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Eastern Time, and there I'll be!

Regards


Brian R Juntikka

Brian - - Thanks for the web address, I been looking for that link for a long time.

Cant wait until next week to find out what happened to Fort Wilkins after the Civil War. Didn't know it was closed so long.

Congratulations Marlin and Barb, from the Hagans in Oregon!

When I was part of the American workforce I listened to Polka Time America every week...Haven't had an alarm clock or radio now since I retired 8 years ago. Going to check out the website you were so kind to list.

The three gatekeepers could be three of my older sisters. I remember them wearing the plaid blouses. And thank you, Brian, for the polka website, which also brings back soothing memories when my mom would listen to Polka Hour on Saturday evenings in Hancock when I was growing up, as she was getting ready for her weekly date. I still have the rose colored glass container she had for years, with the loose powder and big powder puff. It has a cover with a deer on it. I agree Brian, we who are too far away from the U.P. can truly appreciate Pasty Central. Ellen

SORRY I AM LATE WITH THIS REPLY. A COUPLE OF YOU WISHED ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAST WEEK, AND I WASN'T ON HERE FOR A COUPLE DAYS. THANK YOU. TO MICKILL MOUSE. I WAS BORN IN ISHPEMING IN '31.MY FOLKS MOVED TO LOWER MI. FOR THE WORK THEY COULD GET AT GM.SO I DIDN'T LIVE MANY YEARS IN THE UP. MAYBE 6 OR SO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. JIM

TO JIM NICHOLS: THE REASON I ASKED IS MY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS LIVED IN CALUMET. MY MOM WAS BORN 1932. MY GRANDMOTHER'S BROTHER LIVED IN ISHPEMING. IT IS NICE TO LEAVE MESSAGES ON THIS.

MARY DREW AND CHARLIE HOPPER ARE THE BEST ;O]

What a neat old photo. I have wonderful memories of fort wilkins from my childhood(not quite as long ago as the pic:)

Thomas Baird::
Being an alum of MSU I watched that football game.
Enjoyed it and am looking forward to the game with Michigan.
Color here is beginning and certain trees are already turning gold. Lots to go yet!!

HEY! That does look like my Uncle Jim and Aunt Loretta of Woodside just to the left of Barb and Marlin! (?)
I guess it is Marlin who owns the spring on side of the road I've been getting water from for about 70 years! (?) "Running smooth & cold for over 100 years"! Got some when we were there this July! Thanks!---and best wishes to you both!

Lots of childhood memories also of Fort Wilkins visits. Made a quick stop there this summer!

You all have the neatest site with so many kind and helpful people. I have never been up in your neck of the woods but can see its beauty and friendliness of so many people. A great lift in such times we seem to be living on the 'edge'. I live in Texas now but lived in Tampa, FL for over 30 years. I'm a city-gal learning to be country! And love it! Great photos and pasties too! Yes, I ordered some. :)
God Bless!

Thanks you, Charlie for the pictures of my brother & Barbara. We couldn't make the wedding but we will be leaving El Paso for the UP on Wednesday, October 1.

Actually Thank you!

who are the two ladies? One looks like my grandmother

One is Karen Karl's mom and the other is Karen's Aunt Peg, but I don't know which. The third one in the first photo is a visiting friend.