Copper Harbor’s name comes from the history of the town. The town used the harbor as a port for shipping the copper that was mined from the local deposits during the mid-19th century. This small community consists of approximately 75 people. The middle age is 46.80 years old. There is a total of 36 males and 39 females.
In 1840 the first copper mining rush had started after the state geologist, Douglas Houghton, published a report about the areas copper deposits. Prior to the copper rush, the city was known as a fur-trading post. There were no roads in Copper Harbor so everything was done by using boats. In 1844 Fort Wilkins was built by the government. This was done to protect the miners in the wilderness area. As the miners moved south, towards more productive mines, Fort Wilkins was closed. Many of the earliest travelers just came to see if their dreams for quick riches would really happen, when they didn’t come true the travelers just left. There were some travelers who did stay on the settled area and a few of the current town folk and shop owners are descendants of them.
The copper mines remain extremely important to the area. Visitors have the opportunity to visit the Delaware Copper Mine. This mine was in operation from 1847 to 1887. When visiting the Delaware Copper Mine you can take a tour of it. You are able to go to the first level of the mind which is 110 feet down. Another mine you are able to visit is the Quincy Mine and Hoist mine near Hancock.
Enjoy the game of golf? If you do, make sure you stop and play a 9 hole game a Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. You can make the lodge the resting place for your vacation and after checking out the town, go back to the lodge and just relax. Are you into history and finding interesting facts out? The One Room Schoolhouse is right in Copper Harbor. It is the oldest one room schoolhouse in Michigan. You are able to view the room to see how different things were in the history to how things are these days. Boat tours are something that the whole family can enjoy. Copper Harbor has a boat tour that goes to the entrance of the Copper Harbor Lighthouse Museum, historical narration and walking trails.
This year, 2009, Copper Harbor just started hosting a new event, a car show. This year the car show was held July 18. The car show will be held every year, around the same time. If you are someone who is into car shows and planning a vacation, plan it when the car show is.