KEARSARGE

Region: Keweenaw Peninsula

AirphotoNA

A block of company-built miners' homes in Kearsarge. The location of the mine here penetrated a section of the Keweenaw's biggest copper lode. From its discovery in 1882 to 1930, it was highly productive.

This old mining community on U.S. 41 just north of Calumet is one of a succession of copper mining towns stretched across Keweenaw's spine.

A landmark along Highway 41, this fanciful model of a gunboat is made of stone and cemenet, with commercial piping for the guns and vents. It looks nothing like the 1862 naval sloop U.S.S. Kearsarge for which the town was named by a Calumet & Hecla mining employee who had served on her.

As part of a Civilian Conservation Corps highway beautification project during the Great Depression, a sculpture of the Kearsarge was done in mine rock. It can be seen on the east side of the highway. Copper deposits here were discovered in 1882. The Centennial Mine was closed in 1930.

The Wolverine Market, one of Keweenaw County's few convenience stores.

The U.S.S. Kearsarge display has a plaque that nicely illuminates the wonderful wealth of W.P.A. projects (including this one) in the Keweenaw. It points out that the region was especially devastated during the Depression when the price of copper plummeted from 18˘ to5.25˘ a pound. W.P.A. jobs were limited to one a family. They were paid 49˘ an hour if skilled, 34˘ an hour if unskilled.

Two classic company-built miners' homes on 41 on the northern end of town. The design is based on the New England Colonial-era saltbox known for its simplicity and strength.

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