5. Copper Country, Michigan: Uncovering a Mineral Mecca and Industrial Legacy
For Derrik, a self-proclaimed history buff, the Copper Country of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula presented an irresistible opportunity to delve into the region’s industrial past, even as 2024 came to a close.
“As soon as I arrived in Calumet, I was captivated by the historic architecture and the palpable sense of legacy that permeated the town,” he recalls. “It was as if I had stepped back in time, even as the holiday season approached.”
Derrik’s exploration began at the Keweenaw National Historical Park, where he immersed himself in the story of the 19th-century copper mining boom that transformed the landscape and shaped the lives of generations of residents. “Touring the underground mine tours and visiting the Quincy Smelter was like stepping back in time. I could almost feel the weight of the region’s complex labor history on my shoulders, even as the year drew to a close.”
