Comments on: A Shaft on the Pewabic

By: Jason Poll

Jason Poll — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:07:56 +0000

I live nearly across the street from this location, and I can back up what Chris is saying. The only thing not mentioned is that the shack doesn’t cover the shaft entirely. Just to the right of the shack (if you’re facing the modern roadway, with your back to the massive concrete foundation,) is a sizable portion of the shaft which is covered only in rotting wood that has plenty of openings. I can’t back up Chris’s claims of the depth of the water or anything, as I’m not that adventurous.

By: Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 03:32:37 +0000

I live across the street from the Boston Store, and have walked around the site a little… That little shack with the circuit braker box and the exposed bulbs has a false floor? I peeked in there, an wondered what it was! Seriously, I do NOT plan on exploring this, but Chris, if you have photos, would you please send them to me, or post them. I totally wondered about the purpose of the shack…

By: ccexplorer

ccexplorer — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:23:31 +0000

This particular shaft sits along the Pewabic Lode, which makes it the Franklin Jr. Mine. The old Albany & Boston Mine (which I assume would be a merger between the old Albany and Boston Mines) worked the Allouez Conglomerate lode, which lies to the south-east of here.

The current town of Boston (and the crossroads where the Boston Store sits) was historically known as Demmon – named after the Franklin Jr. treasurer. Both the town’s post office and Mineral Range station bared the name. Boston Location was to the east closer to the old mine. The Boston name was probably from the Boston Mine, but the mine itself never produced independently. (only as the merged Albany and Boston) The Demmon name didn’t outlive the Post Office, and the town became known simply as Boston.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 06:42:48 +0000

i was under the impression that this was the boston (more so by word of mouth and that boston town was right there) mine but i may be incorrect however i do know that the shaft is NOT capped but only goes down 100 or so feet before you hit water. its littered with debris and is covered partially by a recently built shack with a trap door in the bottom leading into the shaft with modern circuit breakers and power (there is a flood light shining down the shaft but doesnt work). i ventured down to water level (before scolding me please realize that im rope rescue and “play” in these mines quite a bit).. i have several pics if youd like them. feel free to shoot me an email.

By: ROC

ROC — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:58:23 +0000

My first guess on most of your bolts would be that they are whalers used to keep the concrete forms from spreading.After the concrete has set and they strip the forms they usually cut these rods off and patch but this time it looks like they put the nuts back on and cut the threaded rod off flush with the nuts.