• Friday-What'sUP November 27 - 12:26 am

Visitors to the Quincy Mine this time of year, will find it covered in snow. But don't let that stop the adventurer in you, from exploring the property and looking around. Of course a pair of snowshoes or skis might help as winter gets into full swing. Brian Rendel checked out the grounds recently, and brought us back some interesting photographs, starting with a glimpse of the Mine Shaft through the berry bushes, interesting angle, indeed. Then Brian explores around the train on the property. The snow covering gives it almost a ghostly appearance. I'm sure there are a number of voices still echoing out on that Quincy Mine Train. Listen closely, you just might hear them

Fine Wintry photos.

Did I hear that it's now flood-lit at night?

Bill - Yes, the Shafthouse has floodlights, thanks to the dilligent efforts of Mary Chopp and numerous contributors. The lights are out for now on but will be on for the Holiday Season starting on Christmas from 5:30-11:00 p.m.. Then off until MTU's Winter Carnival weekend and then again for Findlandia's Heikinpaiva Festival too. Then dark again until they open in the Spring. But maybe IF they received more donations the Board would agree/vote to keep it lit all year? The lighting costs are minimal!! Spread the word! Thank you!!! =)

The red berries against the white snow makes a pretty picture!

I agree w/Janie...that first picture is phenomenal!

Being an admirer of trains, I'd love to have that engine sitting in my yard (I have a big piece of property) just so I could go out there and sit in it........in summer.;)

Oh, what a way to start my day. I lived in Pewabic and that area was my playground! Such fun and how interesting this experience was! Beautiful pictures, Brian. Thank you! Please spread the word for donations to keep the mine lit...send to Mary Chopp, donations made out to QMHA. This gal had a "vision" as a young girl about the mine being lit up and she worked so hard to realize this dream! Let's give ALL involved in this clap, claps, well deserved.

Really great photos, Brian. LOVE that first photo, its fantastic. I'd love to have Christmas cards made with that photo.

Shirley----I, too, would love a yard full of train. While visiting Williams, AZ a few years back I noticed a stock certifacate from an Iron Mine in Ishpeming hanging on the museum wall. The curator (?) mentioned that the locomotives that take people to the south rim all came from that mining company. Two were in runnung condition so they hauled the third one all the way from the U.P. to AZ under their own steam. It sure is a small world.

Mary--I have a question for you. I have sold all my personal things in Grayling and put my house up for sale. Plan to live down here in FL full time. Can I just change my Pasty name to Dick in FL or do I have to start all over again establishing a new name? Can I keep my password?

Mary says: Richard ~ Please send me an email at mdrew@pasty.com, with what you'd like as your username and password and what email address you'd like with your registration and I can delete your old account and enter the new one for you. I tried emailing you this, but it was returned, so I must not have your current email address. Thank you.

Richard...suggestion: Rich in FL

That is great that you found that way out there, Richard...you're right "small world". I know this isn't a 'novelty', but it was also 'neat' finding sewer covers (whatever they're called) made in Michigan, on the streets/sidewalks in Bakersfield, CA. Once in Paso Robles, CA I was sitting in the car waiting for my husband to come out of a store, I looked down and lo & behold there was an East Jordon cover! Lotsa stuff comes outta Mich!;)

Here I go again but I wanted to ask this first thing this morning, but didn't. Why are abandoned mine shaft structures left standing UP there...looks like they would pose a hazard.

Yes. Look what happened to Ruth Ann Miller in 1966.

Shirley, A lot of the mining buildings were town down, burned or fell down. My Grandfather worked at the Quincy as a trammer and earned $39.16 for 88 hours. I found an old pay stub from June 1941 when I was remodeling my Grandmother's house. Old age benefits taken out were 39 cents. The Quincy just seems a part of the most visible mining heritage here in the Copper Country, along with the other ruins that are all over the area. I can't imagine Quincy Hill without the shafthouse. It is just part of the landscape and the mining history here. If it were not for the mines, I doubt that any of us would be here. The area would be just a beautiful peninsula.

Quincy #2 mine shaft is preserved and maintained as an important part of American history. The mines of the Copper Country were a vital part of the industrial powerhouse that built the United States into a great nation. It would be sad, indeed, if this sort of heritage was to be obliterated and forgotten. When I was a kid, I played around a castle that was built in 900AD. No one thought about tearing it down because it was an important part of the history of our family and our town. Instead, we worked to preserve it for future generations. I would like to think that Quincy #2 will be the same; that future generations will be able to visit it and gain an appreciation for their heritage.

I understand, Barbara and Dr. Nat. Sorta like the Union Station in Nashville where my daddy worked for many, many years. After the train traffic stopped, it just 'sat' their for a few years with talk of tearing it down, then someone came up with the bright idea of converting it into a fancy hotel! ....now we know the rest of the story ;)

...ahem...'sat' "there"

BTW Shirley ~

Now you'll have to start looking for manhole covers with "EJ Iron Works" on them.... the name of the company has been officially changed recently.

thanks, jbuck, I presume that stands for East Jordan? and........."manhole" covers, that's the word I couldn't think of. (sorry about 'sewer')

Maybe since Quincy Mine is a non-profit organization UPPCO would give them a price break to keep the lights on?

So...heading north on 41 near the mineshaft, is a sign that points to the left side that says "Dry house ruins" or something like that...what was that?

The dry house was where miners changed at the end of a shift. They left their sweaty work clothes to dry overnight.

The "Dry House" was the building where the miners stored their work clothes. Mining is very wet and humid work. After returning to the surface at the end of a shift, the miners would walk to the Dry House to change out of their soaked clothing. They would place their wet clothes on a hook connected to a rope which would then be pulled up towards the rafters/ceiling where the temperatures were warmer (in addition to getting them out of the way). Their clothes would then hopefully dry out over the next few hours. I'm sure the aroma in there put any athletic locker room of today to shame.

~Ed

Yes, the EJ stands for East Jordan. Funny, the article talked about them being an international company with locations in the Middle East. I wondered if somehow having "Jordan" in the name wasn't PC in some places?!!

Thanks DA and Bob!

Quincy #2 preserved:
It's just too bad we lost that amazing, unique structure that was the Quincy #6 shaft & rock house to a fire in 1956! At least I saw it before the fire! See (click →) pictures here.

Union Station in Nashville:
Then there's that sad disaster that was once the Michigan Central Station in Detroit. See images (click →) here. I wish it could have been preserved, but its major problem from the outset was the lack of any significant parking.

Shirley & Thomas, The Quincy #2 has Collar doors (a shaft cover) and the Shaft/Rockhouse is locked so poses no danger to law abiding citizens.