Its Friday once again and that means another look back at CCE’s last four years of existence – this time looking at the site’s sophomore year. By the time summer was winding down in 2007 the site had managed to find itself a small but dedicated group of followers who were contributing greatly to the site in terms of comments and discussion. During this time CCE produced its first DVD – a tour of the Champion No.4 shaft – which I was finally wrapping up production on. I had also managed to gain the attention of the local newspaper, who wanted to do a small story on the site and what I was doing. The small story turned into a feature, and was put into a yearly publication the paper puts out during tourism season. Things were looking up – but not quick enough for me.

A few setbacks began to erode on my enthusiasm for the site. First the Champion DVD sold rather poorly, and due to my own business ineptitude I had managed to make a product that had huge up front costs that began to take its toll on my bottom line. Second the big boost in readership I was expecting from the newspaper article just didn’t materialize, and my readership was stagnate for most of the year. Then a public conflict with another CC historian about my research and sourcing soured my outlook even further. Of course the continued wining I was getting about my color choices had became grating. By the time my birthday came around in 2008 the burden that had become CCE was too much for me to bare. I officially quit the blog on Feb 12, with my sites set on starting up something new that would hopefully have more success (an idea that later became KFG).

But then salvation. My last post generated over 30 responses from my regulars, and more then a few readers I didn’t even know I had. I also received more then a few private emails from readers upset with my decision and imploring me to change my mind. One particularly long and detailed letter (Thanks Bill!) made more then a few convincing arguments, and had insisted that I was quitting before CCE had a chance to even begin. I was becoming evident that CCE was bigger and more important (to my readers at least) then I had ever realized. My little creation had matured and grown into an adult. So a month later CCE returned, with a brand new look and a newfound enthusiasm.

The second year of CCE was filled with many new and interesting places. Explorations included the Quincy Mill, Ahmeek Mine, Q&TL RR, Calumet, the Hungarian Gorge, Central Mill, Mohawk Mine, Quincy Mine, Cliff Mine, and the Atlas Powder Plant at Senter. Here’s a look back at just a few of these, along with a few other things from CCE’s past…

Mill Machines: The Wilfley Table
While exploring the massive Quincy Stamp Mill ruins we found a large collection of wood tables scattered about on the second level. When it became clear to me that there were in fact remnants of actually Wilfley tables – something I’ve only read about in books – I couldn’t believe my luck. In response I wrote this post, that featured a rather detailed look (including exploded views!) at the tables that we found.

Facades (p1)
Thus started by first architecture posts, a series of 12 in total showcasing the various victorian facades found along Calumet’s 5th Street. Probably one of CCE’s most boring series ever – but I liked it.

The End…
This is it, my last post of CCE. Until I wrote another one about a month later.

A Typical Rock Car (p1)
And here’s that post in question, a detailed look at a Quincy Rock car. Explorer was back!

A Quincy Dry House (p1)
When spring rolled around the following year (2008) I had acquired a new toy: a Canon Digital Rebel SLR camera. Up until that point I was taking all my photos with a Sony Camcorder. (Crazy huh?) My first exploration using my new toy was at the Quincy.

Went to Crestview and Only got Some Lousy Ruins
CCE’s first foray into sarcastic posting occurred here where I denied the existence of the Keweenaw Central Railroad’s Crestview Resort and insisted that it was all just a conspiracy. Even though I included photos of the phantom resort in the post, many believed that I was serious. In fact the Pasty Cam actually referenced me (but without a link – thanks for nothing!) and belittled me as “some blogger” who actually thought the place didn’t exist! Where’s my sarcasm tags when I need them? I had to actually set the record straight in the comments, since a few of my readers also had the same idea.

Where Nitroglycerin Is Made
The highlight of my second year was by far my exhaustive 20-part series on the Atlas Powder Plant – thanks to an equally exhaustive tour of the site given to me by the man who wrote the book on the subject (literally) – Bill Haller. Up to that point it was my longest and most detailed series I have ever done. .