These 11 Rare Photos Show Michigan’s Copper Mining History Like Never Before
Most Michiganders know that our state played a large role in the earliest days of the copper mining industry, but it’s easy to forget that we once sat at the very forefront of this booming business. Here are 11 incredible photos that will help you gain an entirely new appreciation for the Great Lakes State’s influence on the development of copper mining throughout the nation.
Most of Michigan’s copper is found in the western portion of the Upper Peninsula.
Mining continued throughout the early to mid-20th century, reaching its height in 1916, when Michigan produced over 250 million pounds of copper in one year.
As modernization continued throughout the states, the mines slowly lost their influence in the area. Copper mining eventually became far less prominent in the region.
