• Friday-What'sUP November 4 - 04:30 pm

One of the more recognizable landmarks of the Keweenaw is of course the Quincy Mine Shaft atop the Quincy Hill. Barb Bouwkamp captured this landmark from the distance, on a dreary looking day. But even on a gray day, surrounded by a gray landscape, the sun still glances off the Quincy Shaft and makes it shine in the distance.

On a different morning, while Barb was passing by the same spot, she noticed how the fog was shrouding the historic mining site, so she had to stop and snap a few photos to share with us. The fog is very fitting surrounding this mine and railroad cars, since it makes the scene somewhat ghostly looking and we can only imagine all the ghosts of mining past that have worked and labored above and underground in this mine shaft.

Looks like in the 3rd photo I see the lights that were installed to light up the shafthouse in the evenings.

I just did a presentation on the Quincy Mine a couple weeks ago for our mineral society here in Houston. The presentation was well received with many questions about the day-to-day operations and the current status of the mine. Many were surprised that if they visit the area, they can take a guided tour of the underground workings and hoist.

Thanks for the photos, Barb!!

Nice pics! The night shots are pretty impressive too.
(JT...can you spot Gloomy Gus)

Alex..several! lol!

We had a gloomy day here yesterday and looks to repeat today.......sort of fitting and proper for this sad week, I'd think.

OOOOoooooeeeeeeeeooooooo......scary looking! Great pics!

Great pictures.

Capt. Paul:
Nice to read that you are making the mining in the Copper Country known to other areas of the US.
Maybe some of the Texans will meander up north to see the mines and spend some money!
There are a number of MTU grads in the Houston area.
Some are ex-students of mine; one who is/was a geologist. Probably retired by now.

I try, Tom, I try..... J

Kudos to the Copper Country Kiwanis for their recent restoration efforts on one of the old railroad cars. Those are side-dump cars used by the Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad. The Q&TL was a narrow-gauge line owned by the Quincy Mining Co which shuttled copper rock to the mill near Mason and brought back coal. Upon mine shutdown in 1945, the railroad equipment was all left nearly as it was. Over the years many pieces have been lost to various factors but several rock cars and at least three locomotives still remain. The track wasn't removed until about 1975.

Looks foggy instead of gloomy.