Delaware Copper Mine
Trip Start
Jul 07, 2012
1
21
44
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Indianhead Motel
Ironwood, Michigan
Friday, July 27, 2012
I originally thought I had allocated plenty of time to explore the Upper Peninsula of Michigan but after two days at Mackinac Island, five days at Isle Royale National Park and a day driving, I now have only four days left until I have to be in International Falls, MN. Bessemer is on my way to Minnesota and there are a couple things I'd like to do there so I left Copper Harbor and headed that direction.
Along the way I saw signs for the Delaware Copper Mine and decided to stop. The mine was in operation from 1847 until 1887. It had ten levels reaching a depth of 1,400 feet but the tour only goes to the first level. The rest of the mine has flooded. It was interesting to see what copper mining was like in the 1800s.
I called the Caledonia Native Copper Mine about digging at their mine. I found out that you can only dig three days a week and that you have to make a reservation. Fortunately, tomorrow is one of those days but, unfortunately, they're full so I won't be able to go.
I called around for a hotel. The closest I found was in Ironwood so I headed there.
