Another beneficial book is, A True Description of the Lake Superior Country, written by John St. John, and originally published in 1846. It was republished by the Black Letter Press in 1976, and it provides its readers with a rare and invaluable first hand account of early Copper Country settings. Of particular interest are the author’s descriptions of the region’s geologic development, and of the early copper mines.
Michigan’s Copper Country In Early Photos adds a new dimension to the historiography of the Copper Country, providing in pictures what the student may not grasp from the written word.
Richard A. Cebelak
Grand Rapids, Michigan
March, 1977
The simple beauty of the Copper Country of Michigan, the vastness of its enterprises and the activity of its marts are impressive in their very nature. Their pictures are more pleasing when left unmarred by wordy descriptions. Scenes may be absorbed and grasped by the eye which no language can describe.
This book is a simple collection of pictures, characteristic of scenes which are familiar to those acquainted with the Copper Country. The effort has been put forth to make it as comprehensive as possible.
The winning of the copper from the earth constitutes the dominant industry of the district, and is deserving of first place in a representation of the Copper Country. All features of the industry are shown—in the depths of the mine; on the surface, where the world’s most massive machinery furnishes power to actuate the air drills and operate the hoisting cables; in the mills and smelters, where the metal is refined into copper bullion; along the wharves, where ships are laden with the product, to carry it to lower lake ports, whence it is distributed throughout the world.
Historic points of interest are given. There is a picture of the old Cliff Mining Camp, one of the earliest, and, in its day, one of the most populous and prosperous communities in the Upper Peninsula. To-day almost every house that was ever erected there is standing, most of them dating back nearly half a century, but the place is deserted—hundreds of houses with bare walls staring out through bleak windows, and scarcely a dozen souls to inhabit them. The old mine workings are abandoned for more profitable deposits of mineral.