RETURN TO THE COPPER COUNTRY - A Visit to the Delaware Mine
Delaware, Michigan
Sept. 14, 2015
Mike and Pat Kaas
PHOTO GALLERY 2 of 2
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Remains of the Power House of the North West Mining Company (ca 1850s).
Ruins of the North West Mining Company’s Hoist House (ca1850s).
This historic 1887 Conglomerate Mining Company photo shows several features that still exist on the grounds of the Delaware Mine.The buildings in the center are original the power house and North West Shaft hoist house constructed by the North West Mining Company (see photos above).On the 1987 map in Gallery 1 it is called the Pumping Engine Plant.The structures in the upper left are a later engine house (photo at the right) and the No. 2 Shaft.The framework at the lower right is probably part of the No. 1 Shaft. The trestle, rock house and railroad loading facility at the upper right no longer exist.
Remains of the Conglomerate Mining Company engine house near the No. 2 Shaft.
While walking the grounds of the Delaware Mine one is impressed at the skill of the masons who constructed the many buildings throughout the Copper Country from local rough stone.
Mine dumps known as “poor rock piles” cover a large area near the mine shafts.For years they have been a favorite of rockhounds searching for native copper and datolite specimens.
The Interpretive sign explains how early Native American miners used fire and water to break the rock containing copper.
A prehistoric pit from which Native Americans mined native copper.
Sunset on Lake Superior near Eagle Harbor, The port for the early Delaware Mine copper shipments.
