Nestled within the rugged beauty of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan, lies the historic Central Mine, a remarkable testament to the state’s rich copper mining heritage. Once a bustling community of over 1,200 residents, the Central Mine, often simply known as Central, stands today as one of the region’s most compelling mining ghost towns, offering a poignant glimpse into a bygone era of industry and resilience. It is the site of one of the county’s most successful mines, now preserved as a significant historic district featuring original buildings and evocative mining ruins.
The Genesis of a Copper Giant
The story of Central Mine began in 1854 when the Central Mining Company acquired over 300 acres of land from the Northwestern Mining Company of Detroit. This acquisition was strategic, as an ancient Native American mining pit had been discovered on the property, a promising indicator that often pointed to rich copper veins beneath the surface. Indigenous peoples had long recognized the area’s mineral wealth, leaving behind evidence of their early extraction efforts.
The critical breakthrough came in the summer of 1855. After sinking a shaft alongside the ancient pit, miners struck the Central Mine fissure, an astonishing discovery of rock teeming with metal and large masses of almost pure native copper. The initial findings were extraordinary: over 40 tons of pure mass copper were extracted within the first 40 feet of excavation. This immediate success propelled the mine to produce more than 83,000 pounds of copper in its inaugural year, making it the only mine in the entire Michigan Copper Country to achieve profitability in its very first year of operation. This auspicious start cemented its reputation and attracted a burgeoning workforce.
Building a Community: Life in Central
In the early days, the workforce, predominantly comprised of Cornish immigrants from England’s peninsula, affectionately known as “Cousin Jacks,” initially resided in a distant mining camp. However, by 1856, the need for a permanent settlement became apparent, and homes began to dot the landscape around the mine, marking the true birth of the town of Central. Just three years later, the Central Mining Company boasted nearly 100 employees and was actively operating four shafts, signaling robust growth.
The momentum continued, with the workforce swelling to 268 men by 1867. Correspondingly, the population of Central reached 950 residents by 1870, transforming the remote outpost into a vibrant, albeit isolated, community. Life on what came to be known as Copper Island was far from easy, demanding immense fortitude from its inhabitants.
Enduring Harsh Realities on Copper Island
The winters on the Keweenaw Peninsula were, and still are, notoriously brutal. Each year, the residents of Central faced severe isolation, cut off from vital supplies shipped from the lower Great Lakes region. As Lake Superior froze over, the flow of food, tools, and other necessities ceased until the spring thaw. Families would take extreme measures to combat the pervasive cold, often pouring sawdust into window frames to seal against the biting winds. Further hardship struck in November 1860 when the wharf at nearby Eagle Harbor, the community’s lifeline, tragically burned, destroying their crucial winter provisions. The replacement supplies, hastily dispatched, had to be thrown overboard from a storm-battered ship to prevent its sinking, underscoring the perilous conditions.
Despite these formidable challenges, the community of Central fostered a unique culture. Alfred Nicholls, a former miner who later served as a teacher and principal of the Central School, meticulously documented daily life. He described the typical homes as “generally very neat and modest,” with the only perceived luxury often being a wood rocking chair featuring a chicken feather stuffed cushion, reserved for special company. Nicholls also noted the town’s social fabric, characterizing activities as “few and unpretentious; invariably arranged among themselves and for themselves,” ultimately concluding that “Life there was easy, natural, and uneventful,” a statement that perhaps speaks to the simple, self-reliant nature of the mining community.
The Shadow of Tragedy: The 1872 Disaster
Nicholls’ observation of an “uneventful” life did not encompass the entirety of Central Mine‘s history, for tragedy struck with devastating force on April 22, 1872. On that fateful day, a cable snapped while 13 men were descending Shaft No. 2 in a skip car. Ten of these miners tragically lost their lives in the catastrophic fall, an event that sent shockwaves through the small, close-knit community. The impact was profound, leaving an indelible mark on the town’s collective memory.
Today, a poignant memorial and marker stand at the site, commemorating the lives lost in this disaster. The event was also immortalized in popular culture, notably through a poem titled “Sad News from Central Mine,” published shortly after the accident. Its verses capture the sorrow and the harsh realities faced by mining families:
