Tucked in the southern foothills of Houghton the Champion #4 Shaft House stands tall, proudly telling the story of mining life in Painesdale. This mine was one of Copper Range Co.’s mines along the railroad. Offering a unique tour, visitors climb four stories of this shaft rock house where the pursuit of copper once led the bravest miners up to 5,500 feet below its surface.

While expanding upper-level paths for tours, Painesdale Mine & Shaft workers made a fascinating discovery. Century-old handwriting was uncovered on an upper-level wall, perfectly preserved. These writings provide invaluable insight into the mine’s operations and the people who walked the same floors in the early 1900s.

“Rock House worker handwriting from over 100 years ago was discovered in the upper levels of the Champion Mine Shaft-Rock House during recent expansions of the upper-level tours experience,” said Michael Prast, president of Painesdale Mine & Shaft. “While other floor decking and steel was repaired, the wall with the handwriting on it saw a protective barrier installed to protect the firsthand history while retaining its visibility.”

The Painesdale Mine & Shaft thanks the Keweenaw Community Foundation for funding the preservation of the handwriting by allowing it to install a clear, protective barrier to allow visitors to admire this history. The writing describes one worker’s starting date and other writing marks the last hoist of the shaft.

Painesdale will also modify a window to limit the UV exposure in the room. For a century-old mine – the shaft rock house has huge, sunny windows! Part of the addition included expanding the upper-level floor path around the rock-crushing bins, pictured to the right.

Visitors who reach the top floor can get a close look at the rock crushers still stuck on of some of the last pulled mine rocks. You’ll also enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding forests of Painesdale. The property includes a captain’s quarters and a hoist house that can be toured.

In 1967, the mine shut down, but it continued to supply water to towns as far north as Hancock. As time passed after its closure, Adams Township continued to pump water from the site but switched to above-ground pumps. The shaft was capped in 1995.

Media professionals: come see this unique piece of history and hear its compelling story. The public can book a tour ahead of the season by pre-registering their party. Email painesdalemine@gmail.com or call (906) 369-5358. Painesdale opens for public tours every Saturday this summer starting June 1.

There is a volunteer workday planned at the Mine & Shaft for Saturday, May 25 from 9 a.m. to noon. Come lend a hand to help do some landscaping outside of the mine structures and clean up the site.

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