Superior Woodworks

Kraig Mahrley uses the huge 1912 Ahmeek 3 & 4 mines 6,000 square-foot dryhouse for his workshop. The big dilapidated building just north of his housed the hoist for one of the mines.

Kraig Mahrley makes custom cedar rustic furniture and cabinetry here in Mohawk in the "dry" of Ahmeek mines 3 and 4. He bought the business from his uncle and still makes some classic outdoor furniture and lawn swings displayed outside and sold boxed, partly-assembled for convenient transportation. But increasingly he is focusing on custom work such as the cedar door he made for a home. Kraig converted a portion of the bottom floor into an apartment in which he and his family live.

This old postcard shows how the Ahmeek #3 mine caused U.S. 41 to curve around the minesite. With the shafthouse gone the highway was straightened to its present route.

In his building 300 to 400 miners at a time once cleaned up and changed clothes after their grueling shifts. Signs about mine safety precautions are still on the walls. Kraig's website (http//Xwww.superiorwoodworks.com) you can see a number of historic photos of the site.

In 2006 Kraig also began marketing 4x4 Ford and GM full-sized vans, a natural for tradesmen in the Keweenaw. (http//Xwww.factory4x4vans.com)

On U.S. 41 just south of Mohawk. (906) 337-0875. Mon-Fri 7-5, Sat 7-1. Handicap access: no

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