Jim Haralson sent the small inset photo of the infamous Torch Lake Dredge as it looked back in 1957. You can just see the tip of the other dredge sticking out of the water just off the boom. And below that is the tug tied up to the pipe line. The current picture for comparison is from Taka Aoki on his recent excursion there with some of the Techies. (see August 22).

A personal note for our relatives and friends: Jonathan and Katriina returned last night from their 6,000+ mile honeymoon (safe and sound, in a jeep, no less).

Have a good week.

There have been a lot of images posted and discussion about Brockway Mountain Drive between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor. For many years there was nothing there other than the scenic road and look out spots. Sometime in the 70's-80's there was a gift shop built at the top. A few years ago I saw a road leading off the drive on the Copper Harbor side which has a large gate and apparently leads to a private home/cottage.

The gift shop didn't look like that was in business any more but I believe that there is a radio transmitter/antennae erected there too.

I don't remember power lines running up there years ago, when were the lines run, who paid for them and why? So my question, who "owns" Brockway Mountain? I assumed years ago that it was one of the mining companies or maybe the county. I've wondered if the land will be offered for sale like a lot of the other properties in the Keweenaw.

The gift shop is alive and well, we were there in August!

Great pics of the old pieces of mining history. I was there at that spot a couple of days ago enjoying your wonderful area and wondered why there is a fence & road within that whole area around Torch Lake. How do you get to the lake to do some kayaking & fishing. Someone even said that they heard the area is on the Gov. Cleanup List.

We also kayaked up the Portage to the end and back last week (good trip) and was surprised that the water was so milky and not clear as I had remembered it from years past. Could it be from all the rain and wind that you had the days before we go there? Anyway, we had a great time exploring around Calumet, Gay, & many other beautiful places off the main roads. Can't wait to get back up there again- I never want to come home when I'm up there.

Does anybody have shoebox memories of the dredge that opened up the Eagle Harbor marina back in the late 50's or early 60's? Was it the same dredge that worked Torch Lake?

boy it is hot here again today.. i don't like the warm weather too much. too hot to even sit outside. i love fall when it is about 58 outside, cool crisp air, leaves falling, changing color.. i can't wait..

Hey Fred,
The grapevine says the fence was put up as part of the clean-up, to keep people off the new grass, etc. With the road in, it seems pretty obvious that it's being developed and they don't want anyone in there for any reason.
Personally, I think that several miles of 10 ft chain link fence really adds to the Keweenaw's natural beauty and whoever was responsible for letting that happen should be commended...
I'm curious where you guys ended up putting in for the night on your Portage canoe trip.

A reply to rnw of Detroit: Much of the land along the Brockway Mountain Drive seems to be in private hands, likely the lumber/mining company. When I was there in July I saw a number of "For Sale" signs for parcels along the drive. The big land owners seem to be chopping up their holdings of choice parcels. It is dissappointing that the county or the state has not purchased and protected that land. Now some rich downstaters will build their McMansion Cottages and destroy the views.

Check this one out!!!!!http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2138526431
Here is a picture of the dredges in 1909.We know the area as the Mason Location and the Quincy Reclimation plant was located here.

ED mi. Read the description of the item a bit closer, you have the wrong Quincy.

To Fred-Go back to June 3 on this site and you will learn all about the fence and the clean up etc

Yea We were at the gift shop in Aug 2001 and it was thriving - Holman-Climax Male Voice Choir and friends - we then lunched at Copper Harbour and sang for our 'supper'
What a wonderful time we had in Michigan
We are still talking about it