• Wednesday-What'sUP June 10 - 11:00 pm

Susan Hooker, was recently around the grounds at the Quincy Hoist and spotted some lilacs that are just beginning to open, giving them a deep purple hue. I like the way she used them to partially frame the Hoist building.

The second photo was taken by Paul Brandes, (a.k.a. Capt. Paul) and it shows the side of the Hoist building we're more familiar with seeing, along with several other structures on the grounds.

And finally, although there are no telltale signs to prove it, this bountiful lilac tree was also photographed near the Quincy Mine, just over a bit, on the back road. Tanya Voldarski is responsible for bringing us this display of these purple beauties, starting from lower bushes and ending up high in the tree, too. Sure wish I could get mine to bloom like that.

We have often noted that the 'wild' lilacs, which are no longer tended by anyone, are the ones with abundant flowers!

My Grandmother always said "The more you pick, the more they bloom next year"....

When Quincy built the hoist house, they wanted to make a statement about the company. The design, materials, and size all reflected the importance and strength of the company. Little did they know they would get just over ten years service out of the massive hoist inside it. Today the company is gone, as are most of the miners who worked there. Yet, this beautiful building remains.

So nice to see your lilacs. They have come and gone here.

I am not sure that the company is gone. Yes, the miners and mining are done/gone. But I think that the Quincy Mine Hoist Association came out of the Quincy Mining Company. Or we could say a relative offshoot of the original company. Different purpose but I am thankfull it had not been sold outright or we may have lost the privledge of viewing these wonderfull remains from our past. Sadly there will be no more pictures with the stack as it is gone. I love Lilacs as there is always some history associated with them.

The lilacs are blooming nice this year. The dark purple are my favorite. Beautiful pictures.

Our lilacs have come and gone. Our yard smelled wonderful while they were out though.

I called the dr. today and she said there is a stomach virus going around and Bill probably gave it to me. I still have not unpacked the suitcases yet. Right now Bill does not feel like unpacking his either. Just want to drink water all day and sleep.

There was a spot my mom and I use to pass and just open the car windows and smell the liliacs. The smell of lilacs are another sign of summer.

Our two lilac bushes bloomed the latter part of April. They fade too soon for me. I love the fragrance they 'spread' in our backyard every year. I always have to bring in a bunch to enjoy indoors, but sadly they fade faster in vases.:(

Wow!! Thank you Mary for using one of my photos for the daily PastyCam. :-)

Allen: The original Quincy Mining Company was dissolved several years ago. The Quincy Mine Hoist Association was proposed by the mining company to preserve the grounds for future generations, but it wasn't officialy "started" by the QMC. I'm not sure of the exact dates, but I will find out at home......

Thank you Capt. I new there was a connection.I knew the QMC dissolved but thought the change was just a name and purpose change. But I was thinking they had just claimed a 150 anniversary.

Beautiful pics. Looks like the lilacs are doing better on the Keweenaw. The local news here was saying the lilacs on Mackinac Island are only about 12% in bloom because of the cool weather we've been having lately, and this is the time they have the annual Lilac Festival there.

Oh I just have to say something on this everytime pics of the "hoist" building are shown here!>>>
First pic, my boyhood home, our old QMC company house was just to the right of the hoist building as pictured a couple of doors away! 2nd pic, the house was just to the left of the shrubs in the left center of the pic! Was there last summer, sat on what was left of "our" old foundation right on the corner and got several neat pics of the Shafthouse, hoist building, trains etc. in the area. What emotional memories! When we lived there in the 40s seemed just as many lilacs then as now!

Russ: Where was your old house in relation to the one the QMHA is restoring and the cooling ponds??

Russ, I get nostalgic every time I see Q #2. When I was about 8, 3 or 4 of us kids got into the hoist house thru the basement. I was so impressed, even as a little kid, with all the white tiles and the size of the hoist drum, the brass railing up to the operator's platform, the marks on the wheel, where they would stop the skip at the different levels. Wow! Can't forget about the Odgers family either. Bill showed me things on the tenor banjo. What a banjo player he was! Do you remember him playing the banjo back then?

Capt'n Paul: This house was our neighbors when we lived there. I took this pic last summer, so I assume it is still there. The Hoist building is just to the left of this pic and our old house was just to the right beyond those pines (which weren't there then) I don't think this is the house you are talking about though(?) I've heard of it, and it is somewhere nearby. Perhaps Helen Chamberlain or someone out here does know. As I remember this house it was one of the nicest in the town, quite well cared for with new siding etc. The people there had chickens etc. and must have been a bit more well off then most of us in the town.

Our old QMC company house right on the corner was what is known now as a "duplex". Odgers were our neighbors, lived in the other half. I remember them well but don't remember any banjo playing.
As kids we were in the Hoist house often even down in the basement. I remember all the white tiles and the workers rubber raincoats and such still hanging in the downstairs locker rooms right where they and everything was left when the depression closed the mine. The basement was usually flooded and all kinds of debri and artifacts were floating around.(lunch boxes, tools, boots etc.)We were always too scared though to climb up on the huge drum but did go up the steps often. Lots of broken glass everywhere in there!

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Lilacs. One of the things I miss the most! Pick a bouquet for me and enjoy!