Copper Mining History

Copper Mining History - An Historical Aerial Tour Along Keweenaw's Copper Ridge

This DVD shows the sites of the famous copper mine boom that began here in 1844.  The geology of this area attracted the prehistoric copper miners as well as lured the early explorers to the Keweenaw. Men like Alexander Henry, whose copper mining efforts, ended in failure near the Victoria Dam in the 1760's.  It was Dr. Douglas Houghton's successful explorations that started the copper boom in the 1840's along the Phoenix Cliffs.  Those mines are among the images on this DVD.
 
You will clearly see the impact of human activity on the environment.  You will see some of the restored stamp-sand areas and other sites along the Montreal River where the environmental damage is yet to be mitigated.
 
The manpower required to work these mines brought  many immigrants to the area including my great grandparents.  My great grandfather, Isaac Harri Senior, was a casualty of the Raymbaultown Mine fire in 1895.  My great grandfather, Gus Trupikka (Johnson), worked in the Copper Falls mine until it closed in 1891.  He then moved to Kearsarge to serve the mines with his livery stable.  My father, Norman Harri, worked in Ahmeek #3 and Mohawk #3 until he was injured and could no longer work in the mines.  I remember when many of the mines were still in operation and the day they closed for good in 1968.
 
Shooting these photos brought back many memories.  These miners were the original  builders of the modern day Copper Country.  I dedicate this DVD to all the miners we have never met, but for whom, we are their legacy.

The 32 minute slideshow can be viewed on your computer's DVD player or on a television so equipped.  The DVD contains a gallery of all 240 photos. © Neil Harri 2009.