quincy mine tour michigan

Quincy Mine

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Quincy Mine - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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The Fascinating Mine Tour In Michigan That Truly Stands Out Above The Rest

Sophie Boudreau

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Michigan is home to various mine tours, each of which offers visitors a unique look at our state’s past. No matter what your age, you’re sure to be amazed by the memorable experience of venturing deep into a mine to walk in the footsteps of early miners. When you’re ready for a truly unique mine experience, check out this unforgettable destination in the Great Lakes State.

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For more information about the Quincy Mine and its various tour options, click here . Have you embarked on a Quincy Mine tour in years past? Share your experiences with us in the comment section below!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Quincy Mine

49750 us highway 41 hancock, mi 49930.

The Quincy Mine closed in 1945, but has been preserved as part of the Keweenaw National Historic Park as a way to honor the Copper Country’s rich mining history. Visitors to the Quincy Mine can take a guided tour of the historic mine, explore the shaft house with the largest steam-powered hoist engine, go underground into the once operational mine, ride on the Midwest’s only cogwheel tram – all while taking in breathtaking views of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge. 

Tour Information

The Surface Tour includes a guided tour of the grounds, the museum, a video tour of the #2 Shaft-Rock House, built in 1908 and used until 1931, and the Hoist Engine Building that houses the Nordberg Steam-powered hoist engine.  Our knowledgeable tour guides will explain about copper mining and answer your questions about the mining operation of the Quincy Mining Company.

The Underground Tour includes all of the above and also takes you on the cog-rail tramcar for a ride down the hill to the entrance at the 7th level of the mine. A tractor-pulled wagon will enter a large opening in the hill and take you into the underground mine where there are exhibits of mining tools and equipment.

If you wish to ride the tram down the hill, take photographs, and not tour the underground mine, this can be added to the Surface Tour.

* * * * * * * * *

Surface and Underground Tours include the following:

Quincy Shaft-Rock House #2 The #2 Shaft-Rock House will catch your eye as you drive towards Houghton and Hancock as it stands majestically on the top of the hill. Built in 1908, the mineshaft underneath the structure inclines into the earth for approximately 1.7 miles. Tour the shaft house through an interesting video presentation.

The Museum Located in the original 1894 #2 Hoist Building, the Museum contains many interesting exhibits and specimens on loan from the Seaman Mineralogical Museum. Be sure to see the 17-ton solid copper boulder recently recovered from Lake Superior.

Nordberg Steam Hoist The large Hoist Building houses the amazing Nordberg Steam Hoist, the world’s largest steam powered hoist engine. The building was one of the first very large reinforced concrete buildings with no interior supporting columns.

Cog Rail Tram Car

Quincy Mine Underground Tour When the tram arrives at the mine entrance, visitors will ride in a wagon pulled by a tractor about ½ mile straight into the side of the hill to Shaft #5 where you sill see early mine cars and learn how they worked. Your tour guide will explain how these miners extracted the copper from the rock walls.

2020 Ticket Prices

The Quincy Mining Company was a major copper producer in the late 1800's, ceased underground mining operations in 1945, and eventually stopped processing copper in 1967. There are no operating copper mines left in the Upper Peninsula so plan to stop and take a trip into the past when “Copper was King”. The mining complex once housed several copper mines and a variety of buildings.

Restoration Projects

The first phase of the restoration of the Historic Engine House for the Quincy and Torch Lake Railroad was completed in the fall of 2010. The building and the #2 maintenance pit have been restored. Hopefully all four service pits will be completed in the near future.

Locomotive #5 and Locomotive #1 (The Thomas Mason) of the Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad are on display behind the Hoist House. Locomotive #6 has recently been returned to the Quincy Mine and is waiting cosmetic restoration.

The Gift Shop and the grounds of the Quincy Mining Complex are open to visitors free of charge if you want to pick up a souvenir or walk abound the old mining complex. You will find a nice collection of items in the Gift Shop including mugs, jewelry, magnets, ornaments, plush animals, rocks & mineral samples, shirts, and videos. Books and maps are available to show how copper was mined and turned into ingots ready to ship to the lower Great Lakes.

For additional Information visit our website at www.quincymine.com Or call: 906-482-3101

Be sure to check out the newsletter page for updates on what’s happening at the Quincy Mine.

Keweenaw Peninsula Attractions Lodging & Businesses in Houghton & Hancock Guided Tours in the Upper Peninsula The Upper Peninsula Traveler Home Page

The Quincy Mine properties are owned and operated by the Quincy Mine Hoist Association, Inc. A not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that operates for the education of the public and the preservation of the Mine Site.

Photos: quincy mine hoist association & exploring the north top photo: mary deloria, © 2011 by char simons, webmaster. all rights reserved. except as permitted under the copyright act of 1976, as amended, this web site may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner. unless authorized by the webmaster, reproduction of any picture, web page or pages on this website, www.exploringthenorth.com, for placement on the internet is a copyright infringement. all right, title and interest in and to the material on these web pages, the web site, in whole or in part, and in and to this url and the urls contained within, is the property of the webmaster. all website design, text, graphics, selection and arrangement thereof are the copyrighted works of char simons. made on a mac. 3/11.

Quincy and Delaware mine tours open full-time for summer tourism

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP and DELAWARE, Mich. (WLUC) - Now that warmer weather is here, tourist attractions around the Copper Country are opening their doors.

Starting Friday, the Quincy Mine will be opening full-time, offering tours throughout the week.

Tours are available for both the mine area and the Quincy smelter along the Portage Canal.

For those who want to see both, they have a special option.

“We are continuing to run the special we had last summer,” said Quincy Mine Manager Tom Wright. “For anybody that does the complete tour here at Quincy, the smelter tours are bundled in as a value-added package. So people can come to Quincy, and then can visit the smelter at any time.”

Wright said he encourages people to come out and discover the history and geology of the location.

“The importance of Quincy Mine and copper mining in the Keweenaw, in general, cannot be overstated,” continued Wright. “It is a pivotal part of our history in supplying what today we might call a strategic metal that was a pivotal part of the nation becoming industrialized. And it is a story that is largely forgotten about or unknown.”

And further north, in Keweenaw County, the Delaware Copper Mine is also open for tours weekly.

It is now in its 46th year of operation.

The tours are self-guided, allowing people to explore the area as they see fit.

“When you come here, we show you a short video to explain it,” said Delaware Mine Owner and Operator Tony Poynter. “Then you get to take your time and walk through the mine on your own, and it takes about 35 minutes to 45 minutes to do that. We also have some nice walking trails.”

Poynter said he also working on adding an addition to what can be viewed at the mine.

“We’re working on a small museum here that will be based on maritime shipwrecks, things like that, and some of my interests in steam engines, old engines, and trains,” added Poynter. “Hopefully, we’ll have some of this open by the end of the summer.”

Additionally, the Delaware Mine has a mascot, a skunk named Snickers, who visitors can interact with as they explore.

Both mines are Keweenaw Heritage Sites, a program that aims to preserve the history of the copper mining industry in the area.

They will be open full-time until mid-October.

To learn more about the Quincy Mine and its tours, click here .

For more about the Delaware Mine, you can check out it’s Facebook page here .

Copyright 2023 WLUC. All rights reserved.

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Take a Tour of the Quincy Mine This Summer

Located in Hancock, Michigan, Quincy Mine is a set of copper mines in operation from 1846 through 1945. The site of the mine today is a significant tourist attraction. It offers a look into the history of copper mining.

About Quincy Mine Tours

If you are looking for a unique place to visit in Michigan during the summer, Quincy Mine is a perfect choice. Here you can go on a guided tour of the historic copper mine.

You will be able to view the Quincy 2 Shafthouse built in 1908, the miner’s memorial house, and take a look at the Nordberg Steam Hoist, which is the largest steam-powered hoist that has ever been built.

The full mine tour includes a personalized walking tour that lasts approximately two-and-a-half hours. Tours are available throughout the day on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the “off-season” and seven days a week during the summer months.

Guests are encouraged to wear appropriate attire (jacket, long pants, and close-toed shoes with good traction) as the mine can be cold, damp, and muddy.

Two tour options are available – above-ground only and full tour. While children are welcome, the guided tours may not be suitable for young children. Advanced reservations are highly recommended due to the tours’ popularity.

Quincy Smelter House

Another excellent touring option while you are in the area is the Quincy Smelter House . Make sure you go early as the tours only run from 11 am until 2 pm.

The tour takes you through a former industrial site, and you will be asked to wear appropriate shoes as well as a hard hat and safety glasses. This is a great way to learn more about the area.

McLain State Park

After visiting the mine and the smelter house, you are going to want to get outside and enjoy the gorgeous beach found at  McLain State Park to enjoy the rest of your day.

This wonderful state park has several fun activities for you to enjoy. You can simply take in all the sites on the two miles of sandy beaches along Lake Superior or bring your fishing poles and try your luck at catching a big one.

The park also offers a great place to windsurf. Another fun activity offered at McLain State Park is berry picking. You will not be disappointed in the fresh, great-tasting berries you can get here.

Copper Harbor Trails

If you are a biking enthusiast and are ready for an adventure, you will not want to miss biking on the Copper Harbor Trails . These trails provide over 37 miles of single track through the forests overlooking Lake Superior.

These trails are not for the faint of heart, and you should be very comfortable on your bike if you plan on taking a trip through these magnificent forests.

Best Places to Eat

After a long day of tours and outside activities, you are going to want to enjoy a great meal. Some really excellent restaurants are located in Hancock for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy some good food.

Gemingani’s

If you are in the mood for Italian,  Gemignani’s  is a fantastic choice. You cannot go wrong with their fantastic garlic bread alongside a classic Italian dish.

The chicken piccata is a favorite, and for those pasta lovers, you really cannot get anything better than their garlic shrimp rigatoni.

Nutini’s Supper Club

For those who want a casual option, Nutini’s Supper Club is a great choice. Here you can relax with a great drink and enjoy some of the best pizza in the area. Nutini’s Supper club also offers some terrific sandwiches and some great Mexican dinners.

Not only will you get a great dinner, but there is often entertainment at the restaurant as well, including open mic nights and trivia nights.

Kangas Cafe

For a great breakfast or lunch option, try out Kangas Cafe . The cafe is open from 8 am until 2 pm Monday through Friday.

A yummy Denver omelet is a great way to start your day off right, and if you are there for lunch, you cannot go wrong with any of their great sandwiches.

Lodging Near Hancock

With so many great things to do and see in Hancock and the surrounding Houghton County area, you may want to extend your visit. Here are a few options of places to stay near Hancock:

• Ramada by Wyndham Hancock Waterfront
• Loft on Lincoln II
• Hancock 5 Bedroom
• Magnuson Hotel Franklin Square Inn

A lover of all things Michigan. Will never get tired of exploring the unique places across the state and meeting all the awesome inspiring people that are here. Always ready for a new Michigan adventure! Owner, Director, and Chief Explorer!

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Quincy Mine Tour in Hancock Michigan

by Brenda Sodt Marshall | Mar 26, 2018 | History , Travel

Just north of Hancock, Michigan in the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula is the Quincy Mine . It’s been closed over 70 years, but tours are available. During our 2017 Michigan Tour, Chuck convinced me it was time to slay my fears and journey nearly one mile into the side of a hill and explore a bit of history. This was kind of a big deal for me. 

Quincy Mine Tour

Way back when I was just knee-high to a grasshopper, I toured a copper mine with my parents. The memory is a bit faded and tattered with flashes of bright light, snatches of a scraping sound interspersed with water dripping on my hard hat and finally my parents making me throw a rock into a bottomless pit. I’m sure their intentions were virtuous, but I still have an irrational fear of caves and enclosed spaces. Especially ones that require hard hats. Chuck assured me this was my opportunity to confront my fear. 

The kind ladies in the Quincy Mine Gift Shop, listened to my story and nodded their heads and said “Yes, they’d heard this story before but this is not the mine I toured as a child. If I toured a mine in the late 60’s or early 70’s, it would have been the Arcadian.” Then they sold us two tickets and directed us to the Keweenaw National Historical Park informational desk for information. The Quincy Mine is run by the Quincy Mine Hoist Association , which is a partner with the Keweenaw National Historical Park. There is also a fantastic website called Copper Country Explorer with a whole section called Scrapbook Fridays, which includes a post about the Arcadian Mine . Yep, the Arcadian Mine was definitely the one I toured as a wee lass. The pictures brought that memory into focus!  

The Quincy Mine Tour starts at the Museum, which adjoins the 1894 No. 2 Hoist Building. You watch a movie to get up to speed on the Quincy Legacy and select your gear for the tour. They provide warm, rugged, canvas jackets and hard hats. You should probably wear warm, sturdy shoes. I did not. Chuck questioned my shoe selection at the start of the day. I assured him I’d be fine. I was sick of wearing hiking boots after slogging around in them for 5 days while we hiked on Isle Royale . 

Nordberg Steam Hoist

A few fun facts I learned: 

• It is the world’s largest steam-powered hoist engine.
• The origins of  “balls-out.” Go ahead and Google it or better yet, visit the Quincy Mine. 

Quincy Mine Cog Wheel Tram

The tram ride was the first leg of our journey into the Quincy Mine. After reaching the bottom of the hill overlooking the Lift Bridge between Hancock and Houghton you board a wagon and ride one-half mile into the bowels of the Quincy Mine. 

The Quincy Mine Tour

Our guide was top-notch. He was passionate and knowledgeable about the mine and the social context for the miners. He brought to life the dangerous working conditions and the community where the miners lived. 

If you are in the Keweenaw Peninsula over the summer, stop for a mine tour. The Tour Season is limited, so check their website for details.

More Photos

You can find more pictures of our mine tour  in our gallery . 

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Quincy Mine Tour

UTR-Webmaster October 8, 2015 Episode 601

I was hankerin for some history,so we headed north over the Portage Lake Lift Bridge … through the historic town of Hancock … and up to the Quincy Mine for a trip down and into this area’s fascinating copper mining past.

Back in the day, this part of the Upper Peninsula was the copper mining capital of the world … It was known as “Copper Country” and we’re gonn find out why …

The Quincy Mine tour is one of the most fascinating things you’ll ever do in this part of Michigan. From the incredible towering shaft house …… built by the same company that made the Mackinac Bridge, to the worlds largest steam hoist still to this day … there’s as much history here above the ground, as there is below it. And to make sure we left no nugget unturned, we hooked up this Tom Wright.

After suiting up for our subterranean tour, we boarded the authentic Cog railway car … and let Tom’s incredible knowledge take us down and into the mine.

At the actual entrance of the mine, we all hopped off the cog railway and onto a steal wagon that transported us deep, deep into the earth. Now, bare with us … it gets pretty dark down here …

Tom painted such an interesting and detailed picture of this mines incredible history, that not once on the tour did you feel anything but fun and fascination. At the Quincy Mine tour they dig deep to make sure you have an absolute blast …

You know … I’m normally a little claustrophobic … but, I’ll be honest … the tour was so fascinating and it’s such a huge realm down there that it never even entered my mind. But I did find this copper nugget … Tommy gets a new pair of shoes.

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Quincy Mine

The Quincy Mine is located in Hancock in the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s Houghton County. It mined copper and was founded in 1846 and operated until 1945. At the time, the Quincy number 2 shaft was the world’s longest shaft at 1.75 miles (2.8 km) long. In the years that it operated this mine produced 424,000 tons of native copper. The Quincy Mining Company was the first to notice the limits of fissure mining and switch to the low mineral content rock, amygdaloid. The mine is now a popular tourist attraction of the Keweenaw National Historical Park . The Quincy Mine Hoist Association now owns and operates this decommissioned mine as a preserved museum where visitors can come and learn about the rich heritage and importance that mining had. They offer guided tours where visitors can visit the Number 2 Shaft House and museum, see the Nordberg Steam Hoist, the world’s largest steam powered hoist and even take a ride on a cog tram car to the mine’s entrance and then ride a wagon seven levels underground into the mine.

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Copper Mine Tours

Copper mine tours.

Our copper mines tell the stories of the brave men and women who traveled from around the world to seek wealth and prosperity during the copper booms of the late 1800s and early 1900s!

The first mineral boom in the United States occurred in 1843 when people from all over the continent began to chase the copper, silver and iron of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. These mines were in commercial operation for more than a hundred years.

The first copper mine opened in 1771, and its owner, Alexander Henry, sent the massive Ontonagon Boulder–of pure native copper–to Detroit as evidence of the region’s richness. But speculative activity did not begin in earnest until 1841, hastened by the favorable reports of the first state geologist, Douglas Houghton. These reports, combined with publicity given the Ontonagon Boulder, sparked the first mineral rush in the nation, predating by several years the more famous California gold rush. Between 1843 and 1846, thousands of prospectors arrived from the East with the hope of “striking it rich.”

These events brought a rush of copper-seeking prospectors into the Upper Peninsula in the early 1840s. Copper mining has been almost continuous in the Keweenaw Peninsula area for the 150 years since then. During that time over  12 billion pounds of native copper have been mined .*

Today, visitors are still enthralled by the passion and perseverance of the men and women who toiled deep below the surface to extract copper ore. Their stories, both hardships and triumphs, can be experienced through tours of the mines that generated incredible wealth and industry.

KEWEENAW COPPER MINE TOURS

Check out these popular mine tours to experience a piece of the Keweenaw’s history: See how the mines operated, how technology changed over time, and the conditions laborers experienced during the mining process. And don’t forget to take a little bit of copper with you!

THE HISTORIC QUINCY MINE

America’s first mining boom began as prospectors and speculators rushed to mine deposits of native copper along the Keweenaw Peninsula. For 99 years Quincy mined these deposits and its impressive string of dividends earned it the name of “Old Reliable”. Today, the Quincy Mine Hoist Association offers tours of this National Historic Landmark.

Regularly scheduled tours are available throughout the summer. Tours are also available during the winter, but on a less frequent schedule or by appointment. Reservations are highly recommended during the summer, as tour slots fill up quickly. Make a tour reservation or learn more by visiting the Quincy Mine website.   Tours at Quincy are a unique experience. A cogwheel tram will take you underground into the 43°F mine. While our native-born guides find that temperature refreshing, visitors may want to bring a windbreaker or light sweatshirt. Suitable shoes for walking are recommended for graveled/wet surfaces–sandals, flip-flops or other open-toe footwear are not advisable. All parts of the tour are fully accessible, but but be sure to make reservations in advance to ensure availability of guides. 

QUINCY SMELTER 

The Quincy Mining Company built the Quincy Smelting Works on the banks of the Portage Canal in 1898. Quincy constructed the smelter to refine and ship its own copper, as well as to accept custom work from neighboring mining operations. With the decline of the industry after World War II, however, the local sources of profitable copper diminished to the point that it no longer made sense to keep the facility open. Quincy closed the smelter in 1971. Seasonal Tours are also available of the Quincy Smelting Works, located on the waterfront of the Portage Canal! Find more information here or call 906-482-3101. 

THE DELAWARE MINE

The Delaware Mine  is an authentic mine that operated from 1847 until 1887, during the country’s first major mining boom. The mine was supported by a group of investors, including Horace Greeley. Although the mine didn’t make any money for its investors, it now serves as the perfect example of what the mines in this area were like in the 1800s. Visitors walk down 100 feet of stairs through the #1 shaft to the first level of the mine, then walk approximately 1700 feet through the original workings to experience a self-guided tour. 

THE PAINESDALE MINE & SHAFT

Champion #4 Shaft House in Painesdale  was built in 1902 as part of the Copper Range Mining Co. mines that ran from Atlantic Mine to Painesdale, MI. Champion #4 operated for nearly 65 years before closing in 1967.  Tours can be arranged to view the inside of the shaft house, hoist house, and the Captain’s office. Champion #4 Shaft House offers free tours by appointment. 

A group tour of the world’s largest steam hoist located at the Historic Quincy Mine

THE ADVENTURE MINE

A walk through the  Adventure Mine  provides the opportunity to experience copper mining as it truly was in the 1800s. View the world’s greatest copper district — actually traversing underground wearing a simple hardhat with a headlamp to light your way. Four distinct tours are offered: a 45-minute underground walk, a one-hour-and-20-minute underground hike, a three-hour underground tour that includes rappelling down an 80′ shaft, and a six-hour-long excursion to the second level of the mine with lunch underground included (advanced reservations required for the six-hour tour). .

MORE MINING HISTORY TO EXPLORE

• Keweenaw National Historic Park
• Ghost Towns of the Copper Country
• Coppertown Mining Museum
• Carnegie Museum

*Source:  Michigan’s Copper Deposits and Mining  

Museums & History

Tens of thousands of immigrants from Finland, Cornwall and other European countries “went West” to Michigan’s northernmost peninsula to seek their…