The Keweenaw Central
The Keweenaw Central ( the original line, not the later tourist line of the same name ) once ran up along the spine of the Keweenaw, connecting the communities and mines farther north to the Calumet metropolis to the south. This line ran as far north as Mandan, some 20 miles north of where we start today. When abandoned, the line we turned into a major north-south snowmobile trail, which we traveled with bikes instead.
Access to the trail can be found along various points of US-41, one of which being across from the Gratiot Mine just north of Mohawk. Here a short spur off the main line crosses the highway to join up with the mine, allowing us to quickly join up with the trail a good ride in from the road. View Map
Trail Conditions:
This section of the trail is in very poor shape. For snowmobiles – when a generous snow pack covers the trail – the trail is probably fine. But for bikes – in the middle of summer – the trail is rather ruff. Packed down dirt is rare, overran instead with rotting railroad ties, sand, and poor rock. In more then one occasion we had to get off and push our bikes, the sharp rocks or deep sand being too difficult.
Scenery:
For most of the length of the trail you ride through dense forest – offering little in the terms of good views. About halfway up, the trail crosses the Gratiot River. The river is of typical Keweenaw variety, shallow clear water with a rocky bottom and shore. Here, however, the river is relatively narrow and uninteresting.
Your best bet for scenery is on the last couple miles. Here the forest opens up and is replaced with a swampy lowland area. Finally you’re afforded sweeping views of the cliffs just northwest of the trail. These rocky precipices rise a good three hundred feet above you, and puncture the skyline in various places.
Ruins:
The Keweenaw Central served many mines and communities in the Keweenaw’s northern terrain. For this section of the line, the Central served both the Iroquois Mine as well as the ghost town of Ojibway (although not concurrently). The original spur line to the Iroquois mine still exists, and will take you to the mine itself about a quarter mile away. The old railroad depot for the town of Ojibway has long since rotted away and no visible remains can be found.
The only ruin along the line is the old railroad bridge that once crossed the Gratiot River. A small wooded bridge now spans the river but originally the river was crossed a dozen feet further upstream by a large concrete and steel structure. The original concrete pilings for the bridge can still be seen standing along the streambed, as well as the retaining wall for the original approach.
Our Recomendation:
While probably a good trail for use in winter months, its ruggedness and lack of scenery make it less desirable as a bike trail off-season. While there are some good views along the northern portion, those same views can be found more easily and in greater number along Cliff Drive itself. We recommend biking along Cliff Drive, and leave the trail to the snowmobiles.
As I explore your sight I find more and more interesting pictures and information.
I use to go to the Copper Country on a regular basis on my vacation but things have changed so sights such as this are thrill to find.
Regarding the Keweenaw Central Rail Road I have a copy of a picture from the archives at Michigan Tech of a train parked in front of the Episcopal Church. The photo was taken no later than 1909, as the church
was moved to Calumet that year. The picture was taken from the sight of the “Protestant Cemetery”. There is a large boulder on the right side of the picture. The cemetery is so over grown that this shot cannot be duplicated.
Also I have a map from 1905, entitled ” Map showing the location of the Keweenaw Central R.R. and mineral lands of the Keweenaw Copper Company. It shows the railroad running from Mohawk to Mandan. Also there is dotted line showing a proposed extension from Mandan Junction running due East for about 10 miles and then making a 90 degree turn to the south ending in the area of Smith’s Fishery. Talk about wishful thinking!
Once again thank you for this wonderful sight.
I
David G Freeze | January 22, 2007
Thanks for the kind comments. One thing that I have trouble with is exactly where these railroads were located, and which railroad is which. You walk anywhere in the Keweenaw, especially between Houghton and Mohawk, and you find dozens of old rail beds and right-of-ways going every which way. I need to go to the archives soon and find some maps such as the one you describe - it would make identifying all these rail lines much easier.
Speaking of your map, I wonder why they would propose such an extension towards Smith Fisheries? Perhaps a mine or stamp mill was planned for the area? Why they wouldn’t simply run a line to Lac La Belle (where an adequate port already existed) seems odd. Either way, thanks for sharing!
explorer | January 22, 2007
Thanks for your reply. If you want to find a good map of the railroads in the area, go the Michigan Tech or whatever large college library you have access to, try to find the US Geological Survey Professional Paper 144. I was written by B.S. Butler and W.S. Burbank. The LOC call number is “QE 75 P942 no 144.This report if complete should have a separate package of drawings and maps. Look for plate number 3, titled “Map of Copper Range of Michigan”.This map covers the area from Painesdale to the Cliff Mine area on the north. The base map used for this is a USGS topo map surveyed from 1908-1912. The map itself is dated from 1928. Also the report itself is a wealth of information on the mines in the area. There is information on most every mine from the start of mining in the area to the mines that were operating the time the report was published. I
got a copy of the report on E-Bay. The one I bought did not include the packet of drawing and maps. I have seen the complete report with maps selling in the $300.00 to $400.00 range. Also it is not an easy find even among the online used book sellers. I am going to save my pennies and purchase one some day, I hope.
David G Freeze | January 23, 2007
The infamous Paper 144 - the Holy Grail of Copper Country history. The historical archives here at Tech might have a copy, but I haven’t looked yet. Parts of this paper are online, to which I have posted a link on the left. (check it out here) Only select parts are online presently, but even those small parts have provided a wealth of information for this site.
Since your copy didn’t have it , I’m sure those maps are very rare and probably hard to come by. I’ll have to get to the archives and if they have those maps I’ll get copies to post here. (perhaps even the whole report)
Thanks for the tip, even if it provides yet another reason for me to find some time and get down to the archives!
explorer | January 23, 2007