Central Mine – Copper Ghost Preserved in Michigan

Nestled within the rugged landscape of Keweenaw County, Michigan, lies a silent testament to the copper boom era: the Central Mine. More than just a collection of weathered buildings and crumbling foundations, Central Mine is a preserved ghost town, a tangible link to the ambitious dreams and arduous realities of 19th-century copper mining. Once a bustling community of over 1,200 residents, it stands today as a historic district, inviting visitors to step back in time and explore the remnants of a once-thriving mining operation.

The story of Central Mine begins in 1854, when the Central Mining Company acquired a substantial 300-acre tract of land from the Northwestern Mining Company of Detroit. This land, situated near Eagle Harbor on the Keweenaw Peninsula, was already known to possess a rich history of copper extraction. Ancient Native American mining pits dotted the landscape, serving as compelling evidence of the area’s mineral wealth. Local lore suggested that these ancient excavations often led to the discovery of valuable copper veins.

The pivotal moment in Central Mine’s history arrived in the summer of 1855. Driven by the promise of abundant copper, the Central Mining Company initiated the sinking of a shaft along the edge of one of the Native American pits. This exploratory endeavor quickly yielded remarkable results. Miners unearthed rock saturated with metallic copper, including massive formations of nearly pure native copper. In the initial 40 feet alone, over 40 tons of this high-quality copper were extracted. That inaugural year, the Central Mine produced over 83,000 pounds of copper, a feat that distinguished it as the only mine in Michigan’s Copper Country to achieve profitability within its first year of operation.

In the early days of the mine, the workforce consisted primarily of immigrants hailing from Cornwall, a peninsula in England. These skilled miners, affectionately known as "Cousin Jacks," initially resided away from the mine site, in a separate mining camp. However, the rapid success of the Central Mine spurred the construction of homes, gradually giving rise to the town of Central. By 1859, the Central Mining Company employed nearly 100 men and operated four shafts. This number swelled to 268 by 1867, reflecting the continued growth of both the mine and the surrounding community. By 1870, the population of Central had reached 950, a testament to the allure of copper despite the challenging conditions prevalent on what was then known as Copper Island.

Life in Central was far from idyllic. The Keweenaw Peninsula is known for its harsh winters, and the residents of Central Mine were no exception to the challenges posed by the elements. Each year, the miners and their families faced prolonged periods of isolation, as the icy grip of winter severed their access to supplies shipped from the lower Great Lakes region. To combat the biting cold, residents would resort to stuffing sawdust into the window frames, attempting to seal their homes against the frigid drafts. Once Lake Superior froze over, the flow of food and supplies ground to a halt, leaving the community to endure the winter months with limited resources. The hardships were further compounded in 1860 when a fire ravaged the wharf at nearby Eagle Harbor, destroying vital winter supplies. Adding insult to injury, replacement supplies had to be thrown from a storm-tossed ship to prevent it from sinking, highlighting the precarious nature of survival in this remote mining town.

Despite the harsh realities of life in Central, a sense of community and resilience prevailed. Alfred Nicholls, a former miner who later became a teacher and principal at the Central School, provided valuable insights into the daily lives of the residents. He described the typical home as "generally very neat and modest," with simple furnishings and a focus on practicality. The only common luxury, he noted, was a wooden rocking chair with a chicken feather-stuffed cushion, typically reserved for guests. Nicholls characterized the town’s social activities as "few and unpretentious; invariably arranged among themselves and for themselves." He painted a picture of a close-knit community where life was "easy, natural, and uneventful."

However, the tranquility of life in Central Mine was shattered on April 22, 1872, when a devastating accident occurred at Shaft No. 2. A cable snapped while a skip car carrying 13 men descended into the mine, plunging the miners into the depths below. Ten of the men perished in the accident, a tragedy that sent shockwaves through the small community. A memorial and marker now stand at the site of the accident, commemorating the lives lost on that fateful day. The tragedy was also immortalized in a poem titled "Sad News from Central Mine," which circulated in newspapers shortly after the event.

At its peak in the mid-1880s, Central boasted a population of approximately 1,200 residents. The Central School served over 350 students, and the town supported a variety of businesses, including several blacksmiths, a hotel, a general store, boarding houses, a meat market, a shoemaker, and a tailor. The fortunes of Central Mine, however, were inextricably linked to the fluctuating price of copper. As copper prices rose and fell, the Central Mining Company would alternately expand and contract its operations, leading to corresponding fluctuations in the town’s population.

The Central Mine ultimately proved to be the most productive of all the fissure deposit mines in the region, yielding nearly 52 million pounds of copper before its resources were exhausted. After 44 years of operation, the Central Mining Company made the decision to close the mine on July 29, 1898, marking the beginning of the town of Central’s transformation into a ghost town. In 1907, former residents began organizing annual reunions, bringing together descendants of the original mining families to celebrate their shared history and heritage.

Today, the Central Mine is primarily owned and maintained by the Keweenaw County Historical Society. The site features 13 preserved houses and a church, along with various mining ruins that are open for public exploration. A visitor’s information center provides audio displays and maps, enhancing the visitor experience and offering insights into the history of the mine and the lives of its residents. The site is typically open from mid-June to early October.

To reach the Central Mine, travel five miles northeast of Phoenix, Michigan, just north of the intersection of US 41 and the Central-Gratiot Lake Road. As you wander through the weathered buildings and explore the remnants of the mining operation, you’ll gain a profound appreciation for the resilience and determination of the people who once called this copper ghost town home.