It has been a week of celebration all across the U.P., including "Copper Country Homecoming" here in the Keweenaw. Today's Shoebox Memory takes us back to 1913, marching past the Mining headquarters in Calumet, courtesy of Chuck Voelker's Reflections website.
Looks like we might need some tents like these at today's "Pasty Fest" in Agassiz Park, as rain is in the forecast throughout the afternoon. We'll try to bring some pictures of the festivities for those who can't be here in person.
Hey, keep a pastie hot for me, I am coming home soon. Somebody say hi to the germains for me....and my uncle ed on 8th street -Justin Brewer
By Pete Wi. on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 09:06 am:
Love the picture, lot's of history there. Checked the MTU web cams and it looks like there have been much better fourths in the Copper Country weather wise. All our kids are in Lake Linden, I sure they'll have a great time despite the rain.
By Cindy in Iowa on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 09:14 am:
Happy 4th of July from St. Clair Shores. I sure would like a pasty today, but I guess I'll have to wait until next month. Wish I could be there to join in the festivities.
By PFD, MI on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 10:06 am:
"Happy 4TH of July " from Missouri. High of 90 here today and clear, tho we have had our share of rain for the last few days. Charlie: Aren't those tents in that picture Army Tents from when they had the troops up there?
By Bill, Ca. on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 11:23 am:
It is amazing that you get these beautiful,clear pictures for your Sunday historical feature. This one was taken during the big Strike against the copper companies and the tents are military tents of the troops called in repotedly to maintain some sort of civility in the area. It was to be a real tough year for the Copper Country.
By David, Midland, MI on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 11:42 am:
After thinking about it--those tents,if the picture was taken on the Fourth of July, were probably put there by the Pinkerton men that were called in by Calumet & Hecla. The Michigan National Guard was called in later in the summer of 1913 by the Houghton County Sheriff.
By danbury; germany on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 12:54 pm:
Happy Pasty Fest! Wish I could be there. I could do with a little rain!;)
By Paul in Illinois on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 01:09 pm:
The strike started on July 23rd, 1913 and the Guard arrived on the 27th. The picture above is one of the more peaceful Striker's parades. The tents are for the Michigan National Guard, note that a fair number of the spectators are wearing campaign (Smokey the Bear)hats which were standard issue for the military. The Guard were the only tent dwellers during the strike. The "Special" police and strike breakers stayed in "safe" houses. The Mining Companies for the most of the strike refrained from evicting the Strikers from their company houses. True, there were some exceptions, but nothing like the mass evictions like CF&I did that same year in Colorado. While C&H and McNaughton set the tone of the Companies response, just about all the Companies hired guards from outside. As one writer quoted an oldtimer "it was the year the Copper Counrty committed suicide". The area never fully recovered from the strike and emotions still run high to this day. The most objective account of the strike is Thurner's REBELS ON THE RANGE
By hey on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 01:20 pm:
Happy 4th of July to all from my outlet here on Lake Erie. I miss the parades and fireworks but we had a great family reunion yesterday out in Highland, Mich. I have a picture showing the National Guard crossing the Straits of Mackinaw aboard the car ferry WAWATAM. Give me a buzz if you would like a copy as it comes free and on jpeg...
By Bob Brown, Alabama on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 01:58 pm:
Laurie Kneebone: I would like to get your e-mail address to give to my friend from South Carolina, Rick Kneebone. He came from Cornwall about 1992 to work with the engineering company that I worked for. He was born in Illogan, but had worked all over the world as an engineer. Told me that the name was a bit unusual and he liked to look up other Kneebones. We managed to find reference to Thomas Kneebone, a blacksmith in Redridge in 1905, in the book Michigan Ghost Towns.
By hey on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 02:20 pm:
Happy Mile-High 4th of July. I notice that they wisely placed the trombones with their long slides at the front of the line of musicians to avoid causing anyone from doing the "Goose Step."
By Cheryl Mi on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 04:00 pm:
Dave, that was a great tribute to our servicemen and women. We need to show them that we're proud of all they're doing for us. Protecting us & our freedom. I am proud to be an American & live in the land of the free & the brave!!!! Let's all take time today & also everyday to think of these brave people doing this for us. Enjoy your 4th of July & pray that they will be home next year to enjoy it with all of us.
By Dave of Mohawk on Sunday, July 4, 2004 - 04:37 pm:
Dave, the site you posted moved me and we should not forget those serving in Iraq and around the world. I hope Pasty Fest was a success despite the weather. I can smell them cooking, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!
By Marcy Black-Keogh on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - 11:48 am:
hello from Arizona, wish we were there, we would have loved to be there for the festivities! rain or shine we yoopers know how to celebrate. I check the site everyday to get my UP fix! I really enjoy the live cams.
