A relic of the
copper-mining days is the town of Victoria, built near the
original site of the site of the famous Ontonagon Boulder.
Like so many communities, Victoria lost its spark of life
when the copper industry abandoned the area. But unlike
other small, almost forgotten mining towns, Victoria is
being brought back to life by a large restoration project
aimed at recreating the mid-1800's community as it was in
its peak. Old Victoria as it is called, is already open to
the public, and when you walk across its green lawns, past
blooming lilacs, the past has never been so near.
Miners came to the hills of
Victoria in 1849 seeking copper and sliver. Mining camps
such as Victoria sprung up overnight, usually near ancient
miners pits, then vanished just as quickly. Although
Victoria was a low-grade operation, it continued to produce
sufficient copper to making mining in those hills,
profitable.
One of the reasons for the
success at Victoria was the use of the mighty Ontonagon
River. It produced power to operate the mine's operation
through the famous Taylor Air Compressor, the most powerful
device of its type ever built.
When seeing the Old
Victoria Restoration today, visitors will see the log homes
hewed out of the Ontonatgon Country wilderness in which
sturdy pioneer miners lived and raised their families. There
are several buildings open to the public which display the
rustic lifestyle of the miners. Copper samples are displayed
on old crocheted table cloths and the wood cookstove
displays other goods from the 1800's. Nothing is under glass
or locked away in showcases. At Victoria, it is as it was
and you are free to reach out and touch a bit of the past.
Experience the walk into
the mine site on the same trails trod by those pioneers so
long ago. Search the mountainous poor rock heap for copper
samples; climb the summit of Mt. Lookout where you can see
the site of the legendary Copper Boulder of the Ontonagon
River; pass through the area of one of the greatest
conflicts of all time in which the Ojibway battled the Sioux
for the possession of that great Manitou, the Copper
Boulder. From Mt. Lookout you can also view the highest
hydroelectric dam in the Midwest.
The Victoria Lake Reservoir
is just about a mile beyond the Old Victoria Historic
Townsite. The West Branch of the Ontonagon River flows into
the reservoir and can be fished or enjoyed for its scenic
waterfront spot, a great place for a picnic too.
The Old Victoria
Restoration is located four miles west of Rockland, Michigan
in Ontonagon County The road is clearly marked off US 45.
oldvictoriarestoration.org
OLD
VICTORIA COPPER MINE: A JOURNEY TO THE PAST
