Smithwick Mine - Rock Harbor, Isle Royale, Michigan, USA - Mines on Waymarking.com

These two openings are most of what is left of the Smithwick Mine that was started in July 1843 and worked until mid-1849. The Park Rangers lead a no cost informative tour.

Near by signage reads;

"Smithwick Mine
Blast and dig, blast and dig - hard work at a
simple porocess describes life at Isle Royale Copper
mines. You are surrounded here by the remains
of Smithwick Mine, one of Isle Royale's oldest
historic mines.

Mining on Isle Royale began in earnest in 1843
after the Chippewa Indians relinquished claim
to the island. Soon more that 20 companies had
staked claims of Isle Royale. In July 1843,
James Smithwick located a mine here.

For two years, from mid-1847 to mid-1849, agent
Cornelius G. Shaw and a small crew of miners
worked Smithwick's mine. They dug four shafts
and built a blacksmith shop, root cellar, and
several dwellings. The main shaft (the timber-
lined pit to your left) reached 96 feet deep. The
upper 30 feet produced some copper, but lower
down the vein "pinched out," prompting Shaw
to abandon mining here."

The sign also has a map of old mines on Isle Royale, a drawing of a miner, seven entries from Shaw's diary and some mining dates from the island.

Mine Type: Tourist Mine Mineral Collecting: No Material Mined: Non-Precious Metal Operation: Opencast Mine Surface Features: No KNOWN DANGERS: This is an open pit mine and is fenced off for the safety of visitors. Any associated website: [Web Link] Any Other information: Aboriginal peoples have mined copper for centuries on Isle Royale. Copper is a Native metal that naturally occurs in a relatively pure state. Copper also has a low melting point and is relatively easy to work.

Visit Instructions:
Optional photograph welcomed.

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