Mining Ruins: David Clark Photography

182/365 - Compressor Ladder

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:37:51 GMT

]]>The Mohawk #6 Hoist/Compressor house has some interesting features -- including several very dodgy homemade ladders to access the different levels. (For a comparison, here is a corresponding location at another compressor foundation at the Arnold mine -- but much older.) For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

184/365 - Conglomerate Shaft

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:37:41 GMT

]]>The light at the end of the tunnel: a view up the Delaware Mine's #1 Conglomerate shaft, which you can walk down (and tour around) on the Delaware Mine Tour. For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Gratiot Basement

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:37:21 GMT

]]>I realized something the other day. It may be obvious to my readers, but -- I have adventures. Real, honest-to-goodness adventures. I spend my spare time exploring abandoned tunnels, ghostly ruins, and generally going places that no sane person would go. It's become almost commonplace for me. It's not that it's not fun -- it's great fun! It's just that I forget how unusual it is to be an explorer in this day and age. Of course, right now all of the urban exploration people are laughing at me. This is from one of my recent explorations, with my friend Mike of Copper Country Explorer. This ghostly green tunnel is part of the Gratiot Mine's... uh... squishy hoisting complex. The green is there for a reason, kids. Want to know more about my photos? You can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

190/365 - Hoist Stars

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:37:02 GMT

]]>Last night, I spent another late late night out taking star trail photos! I do mean late -- it's not dark enough to see many stars until about 11:30 here (technically, that's when Nautical Twilight ends). It was entirely worth it though. This is the old Quincy #4 hoist, looking for all the world like an abandoned castle, with stars flying through its windows. For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

213/365 - Mill Sunset

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:32:51 GMT

]]>A stairway -- and a big drop from the upstairs if you're not careful -- in the Quincy #2 Mill. Sunset is beautiful, even in a place so thoroughly destroyed as this. For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

224/365 - Mill Wood

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:31:10 GMT

]]>A brief outing today -- to the old Central Mine's stamp mill. "Central Creek" (the east branch of the Eagle River) supplied water to the mill, which processed copper-bearing rock from the ridiculously rich Central Mine. It also took away the tailings, which filled up the surrounding countryside, destroying trees and plants of all kinds. To this day, preserved wood sticks out of the sands (where only a few scrubby plants grow) as a reminder of the devastation of the mill's sands. For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

226/365 - Stope

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:31:00 GMT

]]>A stope in the Delaware mine, an old copper mine far north in the Copper Country. I spent two hours in the mine today, taking photos with my full kit. Note: This photo is perfectly straight! The lode mined by the Delaware was tilted at a 24 degree angle from the horizontal. Most Keweenaw mines were like this. For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Light box

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:30:44 GMT

]]>Caught ya! Want to know more about my photos? You can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Cheese Vats

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:28:51 GMT

]]>Another shot from the Copper Country Explorer weekend, this time from inside the old Stella Cheese Factory. Yes, a cheese factory -- built in an old mine building during the Great Depression. In this shot, cement cheese vats rest in an old dry house. Seriously, you can't make these things up... Want to know more about my photos? You can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

King Phillip Rockhouse

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:27:07 GMT

]]>The curiously arched foundation of the King Philip Mine's rock house. The barbed wire fence on the other side of this arch surrounds a very deep depression with the shaft at the bottom. Want to know more about my photos? You can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

259/365 - Hole in the Hill

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:27:01 GMT

]]>A hole into a hillside. What do you think it was? As always, you can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Roof

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:26:54 GMT

]]>A boiler ruin, in the abstract. Want to know more about my photos? You can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Copper Hunting

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:24:59 GMT

]]>On the Cliff Mine rock pile, looking for bits of copper. Want to know more about my photos? You can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

287/365 - Stormy Rockhouse

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:23:06 GMT

]]>The good old Quincy #2 Rockhouse, as a storm clears. As always, you can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

288/365 - Quincy Boiler Stars

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:23:01 GMT

]]>A contrast to yesterday's photo -- the Quincy #2 Rockhouse, and the #2/#4 double Boiler, at night under a clear starry sky. As always, you can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Cinder Block Graffiti

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:17:39 GMT

]]>Inside a mysterious outbuilding at the Osceola #13 mine, in Calumet, Michigan. I have no clue what the pit was for, either. You might enjoy my Cliffs and Ruins photo blog and David Clark Photography, my photo store. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Osceola #13

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:16:43 GMT

]]>The Osceola #13, a long-abandoned mine in Calumet, Michigan. This was one of the last mines running in the Keweenaw, the remnants of the once great Calumet and Hecla. This view is of a hydraulic rock chute between the rockhouse (in the background) and the shaft (behind me). Notice the bushes growing in the closed bucket. You might enjoy my Cliffs and Ruins photo blog and David Clark Photography, my photo store. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Krainium

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:16:19 GMT

]]>Another shot from the old Osceola #13 mine (which I have previously featured), this one from within the rockhouse foundation. It's covered inside and out with graffiti, but Krainium apparently is... the biggest. Cliffs and Ruins photo blog • David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Texture Smörgåsbord

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:11:35 GMT

]]>More textures than you can shake a rusted piece of metal at! Bonus points for anyone who can even slightly identify the subject of this photo. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Hoist Tunnel

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:11:13 GMT

]]>A tunnel underneath the Franklin Junior #2 (Conglomerate)'s "new" hoist. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Adventure Stack

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:07:21 GMT

]]>Half nature, half ruins... who needs the rule of thirds, anyway? The "mouth" of an old stack, at or near the Adventure Mine (yes, that was its real name!) last fall. This was the opening which would have led into the adjacent boiler building. Still catching up on some old photos... Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Powderhouse in Winter

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:05:46 GMT

]]>The beautiful doorway to the Central Mine's powderhouse, in winter. This doorway saw hundreds of tons of black powder and (later) dynamite going to and from the mine. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Quincy Rock Cars

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:05:39 GMT

]]>A line of abandoned rock cars at the Quincy Mine, bathed in the green glow of a security light. Actually, several of these "Z" cars (named for the shape of their support beams) were bought by Quincy from the old Arnold mine, up near Copper Falls. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Blue Boiler

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:05:18 GMT

]]>At the instigation of the infamous GarenT, I went and tried some more light painting a few nights ago. This is an old boiler house at the Quincy Mine, lit from within by some LED lights. It is definitely different than my previous attempt, The Council of Dave. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Rockhouse Graffiti

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:05:13 GMT

]]>Some graffiti. "Static", I think? This graffiti lives on the inner wall of the Centennial #6 rockhouse's foundation. The chutes at the top would have once delivered copper-bearing rock into waiting rail cars. The rock at the bottom is remnants of the famous Calumet Conglomerate, the richest native copper deposit in the world. Still no laptop -- I had this one photo hanging around on my work computer. I have a ton of awesome photos from this last week, but I can't get them off of my camera! Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Abandoned Abstracts 1

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:03:47 GMT

]]>A sealed-up window on the hoist of the Centennial #6 surface plant. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Abandoned Abstracts 2

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:03:25 GMT

]]>(Another) sealed-up window, at the office of the Centennial #6 surface plant. The texture is a bit over the top due to Flickr's heavy-handed sharpening. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Quincy through the window

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:02:38 GMT

]]>A classic view of the Quincy mine's #2 rockhouse, as viewed through a window of the #4 hoist house. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Dam Beams

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:02:23 GMT

]]>The massive support beams at the Redridge Steel Dam. These are on the downstream side of the dam -- the only reason that the afternoon sunlight can show so beautifully on them is because holes were cut in the dam years ago, to help drain the reservoir and avoid overtopping! Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Trust

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:02:17 GMT

]]>Trust me, this will all work out... Ruins of the Champion Mine's mill, in Freda, Michigan. Freda was the end of the line, and existed only for the mill. Once the mine went under, so did everything else in town. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Centennial Electrical

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:02:07 GMT

]]>Electrical boxes in the old Centennial #6 shaft house. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Dead Lightpost

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:01:54 GMT

]]>The Kingston mine was one of the very few Copper Country mines ever to have a parking lot. Most were closed long before automobiles became popular. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Ring on the Wall

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:01:49 GMT

]]>A ring on the wall of the old Key Mill, at the Centennial mine. This was at the Centennial #3, which was a long abandoned copper mine (briefly) explored by Homestake in the 1980's. They even went so far as to build a mill (the "Key Mill") at the site, in some more or less featureless sheet metal buildings on the site. The mill was sold and torn down last year. However, not all of it is gone -- random cement pedestals and metal artifacts remain, standing in the late afternoon sun. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Looking out

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:01:39 GMT

]]>Looking towards the outside world, from inside the South Lake mine. This is one of the most spectacular open shafts that I've ever seen, and more photos will follow as soon as I can edit them... Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

South Lake Mine shaft

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:01:28 GMT

]]>Looking in to one of the South Lake mine's many entrances. This is one of the most spectacular open shafts that I've ever seen, although I don't think it was meant to be this way -- notice all of the fallen rock. There are actually two separate openings visible just in front of my fellow explorer, both of which lead in to a rather small mine. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

South Lake Mine adit

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:01:05 GMT

]]>Another in my series of photos from the South Lake Mine. This adit (horizontal entrance) was bored into the hillside. The roof ahead of this photo had collapsed at some point, opening up a large part of the neighboring shaft (seen in a previous photo). As you can see, there's still plenty of snow here -- inside the mine, there's ice! Others: shaft, looking out. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Danger

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:00:51 GMT

]]>A mysterious hole in the ground near the old Belt (or Lake) Mine. There are (as far as I have found) exactly 2 such warning signs around all of "Belt Mountain", and appoximately 3 zillion holes in the ground which should be marked! This hole was cool, but didn't have much airflow (which would denote a mine with open tunnels). On the bluff above here, there was a water-filled shaft which might have had some relation to this. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Centennial Dry House

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:00:18 GMT

]]>Inside the Centennial Mine #6's surface plant. This is one large steel building, including the dry house, shaft house, offices, and miscellaneous space attached to the rock house. This large area is part of the dry house, with lockers behind this set of machines. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Let's Roll

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:59:48 GMT

]]>A doorway leading into the Centennial #6 shaft house. These buildings were, for a long time, used as a hangout for local kids. There is graffiti everywhere, and a lot of broken glass. More recently, the shaft house has been used to store wood chips for a furnace! Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Sheaves

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:59:45 GMT

]]>The massive sheaves at the Centennial #6. Sheaves are wheels with a groove, intended to guide a rope. In this case, these sheaves are twice as tall as I am, mounted 100 feet about the ground at the top of the Centennial #6 rockhouse. Thick hoisting cable would run into the building from the hoist (behind me), over these sheaves, and then down the skip road into the shaft (down and to the front). Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Looking up to the top

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:59:09 GMT

]]>Another view of the sheaves at the Centennial #6 headframe (seen from below here). The small ladder leads to the old lightening/flag pole at the very top. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Baltic Tramway

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:58:57 GMT

]]>The supports of some sort of tramway at the old Baltic stamp mill, near Redridge, Michigan. This is a bit of a mystery ruin. The coarse sands all around this ruin are stamp sands -- the result of repeatedly smashing copper-bearing rock with giant hammers, to release the copper. The stamp sand is the waste product, and it forms giant cliffs along the beach in front of the old mill. In fact, it is quite a nuisance, as currents move the sands up and down the coast, filling in coves and creating new shoreline. This structure likely helped the mill workers move that sand out away from the building, and dump it closer to the lake shore. This shot was taken on a hot, humid, and misty day. You'd never know it, but that's Lake Superior in the background! Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Safe

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:58:50 GMT

]]>A long abandoned (and looted?) safe hiding near the Mesnard mine. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Seek Treasure in Ruins

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:57:58 GMT

]]>Sage advice. I didn't place this here myself, but someone decided to "tag" the old Centennial #6 rockhouse in a surprisingly insightful way. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Rockpile

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:56:08 GMT

]]>Rocks from deep underground, now piled high at the Trimountain mine. Cliffs and Ruins blog • David Clark Photography store

Tramway

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:55:15 GMT

]]>A tramway at the old Quincy Smelter. Cliffs and Ruins photo blog

C Shaft Hill

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:55:03 GMT

]]>The beginning of the tram road from the C shaft of the old Minesota mine's tram road -- yes, that's spelled right -- at the top of the cleverly named C Shaft Hill. The Minesota was one of the richest mines in the Copper Country -- in its time. But it mined a special type of lode which had huge chunks of pure copper, and which (like most lodes of that type) ran out fairly quickly -- nothing near the 100+ years that Calumet and Hecla or Quincy would survive, working low-grade lodes filled with tiny nodules of copper. The lode mined at the Minesota was right on the face of the bluff, and so the rockhouse and other parts of the mine had to be below the bluff face. Cliffs and Ruins photo blog

Stope Hole

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:54:58 GMT

]]>An old shot from the Delaware Copper Mine, and excellent self-guided mine tour up in the Keweenaw Peninsula. This is a stope hole (possibly better called a "winzie") which connects the 1st and 2nd levels of the mine. The hole connects to the top of a "stope" (an area of copper ore which was removed) which is now filled with water. Cliffs and Ruins photo blog

Switches

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:54:54 GMT

]]>Some sort of mechanical-electrical switches at the Champion #4 hoist building. Cliffs and Ruins photo blog

Champion Rock Bins

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:54:38 GMT

]]>Underneath the massive -- but slowly decaying -- Champion #4 rock house. This photo shows the path of the old rail spur which lead under the rock bins, where train cars could pick up copper-bearing rock to take to the mill. This photo was taken as part of a tour on the Copper Country Explorer weekend, 2010. Cliffs and Ruins photo blog

The Old Boiler

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:04:59 GMT

]]>Ruins of the Quincy Mine's #2/#4 boiler house. Prints of this photo are available at my photo store. If you like my photos, please check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories of my explorations.

Roundhouse

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:04:34 GMT

]]>The Quincy Mine roundhouse at sunset. Prints of this photo are available at my photo store. If you like my photos, please check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories of my explorations.

Quincy Engine

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:04:26 GMT

]]>The Quincy & Torch Lake #1 Engine, the "Thomas F. Mason," on display at the Quincy Mine. Prints of this photo are available at my photo store. If you like my photos, please check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories of my explorations.

Anachronisms

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:03:58 GMT

]]>Two friends in an abandoned boiler at the Quincy Mine, not exactly dressed for the occasion (look close!). If you like my photos, please visit my photo store or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories of my explorations.

Doorways

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:03:44 GMT

]]>Doorways in huge cement rooms at the old Ahmeek Stamp Mill, in Tamarack City, Michigan. Prints of this photo are available at my photo store! If you like my photos, please check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories of my explorations.

After the Rain

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:03:01 GMT

]]>Looking down Cliff Drive (site of the old Cliff Mine) towards the old Centennial #6, after a light rainstorm last summer. Prints of this photo are available at my photo store! If you like my photos, please check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories of my explorations.

Strength

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:01:49 GMT

]]>Beams and sunlight at the Redridge Steel Dam near Houghton, Michigan. This is one of only three such steel dams built in the United States. It was built in 1901 to provide water to two copper mills nearby, on the shore of Lake Superior. It has been sitting untended for nearly 100 years, but it's still strong and solid. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Hungry

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:01:07 GMT

]]>An old smokestack at the North Quincy (Pewabic) Mine, in the Copper Country of Michigan. Blind and unfed for many years. I think that this is one of the more disturbing photos that I've taken in a long time... it just feels uncomfortable. Feed me, Seymour! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Headframe

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:00:40 GMT

]]>The Quincy #8 (Mesnard Mine) steel headframe access ladder. This mine saw action throughout the late 19th and entire 20th centuries, opening and closing repeatedly. This steel skeleton is the remains of a Homestake exploration in the 1970's -- no rock came up, only men going to explore. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Rockhouse Abstract

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:00:33 GMT

]]>Shapes, colors, and textures on the Quincy #2 Shaft-Rockhouse, at sunset. (Left: the corrugated steel siding of the rockhouse. Top right: the rusted-out rock bin. Bottom right: the stained and crumbling cement base of the rockhouse, through which ore-carrying trains would pass.) If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Hammers

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:00:18 GMT

]]>Ruins underneath the old Quincy Mine #2 shaft-rockhouse. These hammerlike items hang down from old rock chutes, which would have delivered mine rock into waiting railroad cars. I have no clue what they were, except that they probably didn't hang like this originally. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Rock Bin

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:00:01 GMT

]]>Abstract shadows and textures at the #2 shaft-rockhouse at the Quincy Mine in the Copper Country of Michigan. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Boiler Beams

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:59:46 GMT

]]>The beams in the old Quincy #5 Boiler House are open to the sky, creaking and squeaking in the wind. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Teeth

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:59:31 GMT

]]>Gears on a machine at the old Quincy Mine Roundhouse. The machine appeared to be a planing or metal-forming machine used on very old steam engines. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Hoist Abstract

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:59:20 GMT

]]>Try viewing this large and on black. Crushed bricks, tiles, and rocks on the Tamarack #3 hoist. The foundation of the hoist building is a massive structure of rock and bricks, weathered down to a fine collection of shards and powder over the years. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Q&TL #6

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:59:15 GMT

]]>Try viewing the details up close and personal. The old Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad #6 engine returned to the Quincy Mine late last month, after being gone for more than half a century. The old steam engine is a bit beaten up, but it will be restored and repaired to join the Q&TL #1 (the Thomas F. Mason) as a display piece and tourist attraction. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Askew

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:58:54 GMT

]]>The massive metal cover of a valve at the old Redridge Steel Dam. The valves have been stuck in place for years, and the water flows on unabated, often flowing over the dam and wearing away the inside! I've also been playing around with my new ultrawide lens! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Powderhouse Door

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:58:48 GMT

]]>The doorway to the old powder house at the Central Mine in the Copper Country of Michigan. Powder houses were used to store explosives, so they were built with extremely thick and solid walls. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Franklin Junior

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:57:56 GMT

]]>It's even more dramatic large and on black. The rockhouse foundation of the Franklin Jr. #2 mine, in Michigan's Copper Country. This massive cement foundation is so well hidden that we almost missed it -- it's been taken over by the forest, and a huge pine guards the entrance. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations.

Smelter Rooms

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:57:45 GMT

]]>A room within a room in the Quincy Smelter in Ripley, Michigan. The smelter operated from 1898 until 1967, refining copper from the Quincy Mine, on the hill above nearby Hancock, Michigan. The smelter is private property, and is normally closed to the public. However, the smelter was briefly opened for tours last weekend, and I had the special opportunity to enjoy a photographic tour. I had amazing access to the abandoned buildings at the site, some left almost as they were when the smelter closed -- papers on desks, stacks of materials in the corners, machinery in place. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Broken Dreams

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:57:42 GMT

]]>The entryway to the Quincy Mine's Blacksmith Shop, a huge building (mostly) built out of red Jacobsville Sandstone. This wooden entryway was added at some later point, and it hasn't survived very well since the mine was abandoned -- no roof, floor collapsing, debris everywhere, and settling at a very odd angle. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Compressor Wheel

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:57:28 GMT

]]>Continuing my Quincy Smelter series: this is a detail of a wheel on a machine which was part of a steam engine. Notice the details on the spokes of the wheel -- totally unnecessary, but very striking. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Bracket

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:57:23 GMT

]]>One of many machine mounts on the wash floor of the old Centennial Mill. The mill processed copper-bearing rock from the Centennial Mine by a series of mechanical processes: stamps, vibrating tables, rotating wash boards, and so on. Today, only the overgrown cement floor is left. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Red Door

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:57:19 GMT

]]>From my photo tour of the Quincy Smelter: one of many red doorways. Virtually all doors in the smelter were of a similar design. This one leads in to the mineral house. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Keep Out

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:57:16 GMT

]]>There aren't many places you can't go at the Quincy Mine, but the old #2 boiler house is one of them. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Hands

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:57:13 GMT

]]>This is one wall of a small, thick-walled cement building which had something to do with the old Centennial Stamp Mill at Point Mills, Michigan. The building was like a bunker -- short, heavy, small windows, thick walls. But, after being abandoned, the building was apparently taken over by... kids -- and this is the result. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Rock Chute

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:57:10 GMT

]]>A rock chute at the Centennial #3 copper mine in Michigan's Copper Country. Skips (rock cars mounted on rails, which ran up and down the shaft) delivered rocks into the rockhouse, where they were crushed, sorted, and processed. Copper-bearing rock came down this chute into waiting ore cars (or sometimes trucks) to be delivered to a mill. The rusted wall in the background is part of another large bin designed to store rocks. The ruins here are left over from Homestake's exploration and re-opening of the mine in the 1970s. The mine originally opened in 1876, quickly closed, reopened under Calumet and Hecla, closed again, and reopened once more for Homestake -- which also quickly closed the mine. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Crack

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:56:57 GMT

]]>A black crack, stretching across the orange lichens in this old cement roof. This roof lies on the ground near Seneca Lake, in Michigan's Copper Country. What was it? What did it cover? I have no idea. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Respect the Past

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:56:50 GMT

]]>Some good advice from the Quincy Mine and the Keweenaw Nationaly Historical Park. In the background is the Quincy & Torch Lake Railroad's water tower. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

23/365 - Central House

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:54:43 GMT

]]>You can order a print of this photo from David Clark Photography. Also try viewing this large and on black for more details. The Central Mine was, in its day, a spectacular copper mine. Nowadays, the town of Central is almost totally abandoned. This is one of the few houses which is (seasonally) occupied. For more info about the Central Mine (and other photos-of-the-day), check out Cliffs and Ruins. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

24/365 - Quincy Boiler and Shaft

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:54:40 GMT

]]>You can order a print of this photo if you like it! Also try viewing this large and on black for more details. Following on my theme from yesterday, here's a black-and-white view from a totally different mine site: the Quincy Mine. This is the old #2/#4 double boiler house (once filled with huge steam boilers) and behind it, the still-standing #2 shaft house fades into the fog. For more info about the Quincy Mine (and other photos-of-the-day), check out Cliffs and Ruins. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Boiler Door

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:54:33 GMT

]]>An old loading door in the Quincy Mine's old #5 boiler house. This is on the ground floor, where the boilers were actually located. To the left and right are the coal bins, delivered by an overhead train system which ran straight through the building. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

46/365 - F is for Furnace

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:52:41 GMT

]]>F is for a Forgotten Furnace -- a 110+ year old steam boiler, to be specific! This F comes to you from the corner of the old Quincy Mine #7 boiler house, built in 1898.The darker rock is poor rock from the mine -- a great way to recycle your materials. The red quoins are made of Jacobsville Sandstone, a building material native to the Keweenaw (and commonly used in buildings). They sure don't make 'em like they used to! Does anyone else think that the lines, stripes, and swirls in the sandstone look a bit like close-ups of Jupiter? Check out my photo-a-day blog entry at Cliffs and Ruins! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Stars Through the Rockhouse

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:51:57 GMT

]]>View it big and on black for the full effect! Stars rotating over the ruins of the Isle Royal #6 rockhouse. A massive structure once rose above these huge cement foundations, processing rock from the nearby shaft (just to the left, where a snowmobile trail now runs!). Trains would pull through the slot between these walls to cart away copper-bearing rock to the mill. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

57/365 - Q is for Quincy

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:51:44 GMT

]]>Q is for Quincy -- well, what else did you expect? Here's my camera, looking at the old Quincy powder house -- a place where the mine's explosive black powder (and later, dynamite) was stored. It's glowing green in the street light. You can read more about this photo at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Hoists and Reflections

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:49:04 GMT

]]>Two old hoists at the Quincy Mine, both of which once served the Quincy #2 shaft-rockhouse. These are, from left to right, the newest (and largest), and the middle hoist. The original is behind my back. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Quincy Dry

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:48:03 GMT

]]>All Copper Country mines of any size at all had a dry house: a place where miners could change out of their everyday clothes, and into their mining gear (and back again). Sometimes they could even wash and warm up a bit, have a smoke, and shoot the breeze. Most drys were fairly small. This, however, is the extremely large dry house from the Quincy Mine -- two stories tall and very long. Inside, you can still find some of the old lockers used by the miners. If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography, or check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo blog, for photos and stories from my explorations. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

103/365 - Boiler Door

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:47:42 GMT

]]>A doorway in an old Quincy Boiler house -- I swear, this spot was set up by the god of photographers. Every time I'm there, I feel obliged to try a photo like this! Interested? I write more details about each photo at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

104/365 - Boiler Foundations

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:47:39 GMT

]]>This photo comes to you from next door to yesterday's photo -- an addition to the old Quincy #5 Boiler House. These were foundations for a horizontal boiler, which provided steam for the nearby steam hoist. There are a few other items, which I've added notes for. Interested? I write more details about each photo at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

132/365 - Rivets

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:43:52 GMT

]]>100 years ago, steam power was ubiquitous. Boilers were the primary means of creating steam, for mechanical power -- steam engines, steam hoists, steam power of all kinds. Nowadays, of course, boilers are rather rare. During the world wars, most of the old metal boilers were scrapped. Inexplicably, this one survived, in place, still attached to its water feed and vents -- but totally exposed to the elements, too. Want to know more about my photos? You can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

140/365 - Brick Window

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:42:48 GMT

]]>There are a lot of decorated sandstone walls and windows around here -- here's one without all the red visible. Want to know more about my photos? You can find more details at Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

164/365 - Dredge

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:39:44 GMT

]]>Here be ye olde Quincy Dredge: a veritable floating factory, whose purpose was to (literally) vacuum old processed sands off of the floor of Torch Lake, and send them back to the mill to be reprocessed for copper. This photo has a fun story behind it. The dredge is beached at the shore of Torch Lake, not too far from the highway. I parked near it and walked in, where I met two kayakers who had just come to shore after looking around the water side of the dredge. We chatted, and not five minutes after I'd met them, they offered to let me take a kayak out and see it for myself! -- Which I did, of course. I love the UP! For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

165/365 - Rust

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:39:36 GMT

]]>A detail of the Quincy #6 Steam Engine. They don't make 'em like they used to... For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

173/365 - A Miner Thing

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:38:46 GMT

]]>It's just a miner thing, my obsession with mines! For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

177/365 - Compressor Tunnel

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:38:23 GMT

]]>A maintenance trench at the Arnold #2 mine's surface plant, aligned with the setting sun. For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

178/365 - Idyllic Ruin

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:38:17 GMT

]]>A beautiful summer scene: flowers blooming, a breeze blowing, and a 2-mile deep mine shaft. For more details, check out Cliffs and Ruins, my photo-a-day blog! If you like my photos, please visit my photo store: David Clark Photography. © David Clark, all rights reserved.

Mesnard Basement

photos@dcclark.net (David Clark Photography) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:54:18 GMT

]]>The "maintenance corridor" which surrounds the outside of the old Mesnard mine's giant cement hoist foundation. The Mesnard was also the site of one of the last hopes for the Copper Country's copper industry -- the Homestake copper exploration of 1976. They searched but didn't find enough to keep going. Now all that's left are foundations and a giant steel headframe. Cliffs and Ruins photo blog