54: Upper Peninsula, Part 3: Copper Country's Rich Veins

We delve deeper into the heart of Michigan's Upper Peninsula in Part 3 of our series, where we strike historical gold—or rather, copper. The true origins of America's mining fervor begin not with gold, but with the lustrous reddish metal that spurred the first major mining boom: copper. On the Keweenaw Peninsula, an extraordinary saga unfolded that reshaped economies and industries.

From the 1860s through the 1920s, this region was the copper powerhouse of the world, contributing over 90% of the global supply and outshining the illustrious gold rushes in economic impact. Discover the vibrant tales of the miners, the communities that thrived amidst this copper fever, and the legacies left behind in the land that once glowed with the promise of copper wealth. 

In this episode, we explore the veins of history as rich as the copper deposits that defined an era. To learn more about America's remarkable mining heritage and for further adventures into the pages of hometown legacies, visit us at itshometownhistory.com and consider supporting our journey through history by becoming a patron at Patreon.com/itshometownhistory.