Homes
Copper Country Heritage Guide - TypesAt the Copper Country’s peak, nearly a hundred thousand people lived within Houghton and Keweenaw counties. The major mining companies had over 13,000 people on its payrolls, with the numerous support industries in the region adding several thousand more. This large workforce necessitated a great deal of housing – a requirement that the mine companies in such a remote and wild land were forced to provide.
For the most part, company housing was uniform and simple – two stories consisting of a kitchen, pantry, living space, and a few bedrooms. The company leases out the house to its workers for very little cost, often a dollar per room per month. However, the houses built for mine captains and company executives were something else entirely. These were grand Victorian designs, built in the Queen Ann style and featuring covered porches, ornate turrets, and enclosed by a sandstone wall topped by iron fencing.
Click on an image below for more information.
Agassiz House
Calumet – This impressive home erected next door to C&H’s main offices served as a residence for mine president Alexandar Agassiz.
Campbell House
Laurium – One of the last grand homes to be built in Laurium, this brick behemoth was the home of Calumet & Arizona mining company attorney who would later serve as the company’s president.
Carlton House
Laurium – This Colonial Revival beauty was crafted out of sandstone for hardware retailer Frank Carlton, who would go one to become the first president of Michigan’s Retail Hardware Association.
Central Miner’s House
Central – This small wood framed home was one of dozens built by the Central Mine to house those workers with families.
Superintendents House
Central – This large home was built by the Central Mine for its superintendent to reside in when visiting the minesite.
Close House
Hancock – This stately brick and shingled house was built in 1902 for a local businessmen that began his career as bookkeeper for the Fist National Bank of Hancock.
Daniell House
Laurium – This large home was built for the widow of Osceola Mine captain and famed Tamarack Mine architect John Daniell around 1905.
Harris House
Hancock – After becoming superintendent of the Quincy Mine, Samuel Harris was able to build this massive brick house in the prestigious neighborhood of East Hancock around 1909.
James Hoatson House
Laurium – This stately home was built for mining entrepreneur James Hoatson, who made his fortunes out west thanks to the Calumet & Arizona Mining Company.
Kauth House
Hancock – This classical revival style house was built for local businesmen Andrew Kauth, who owned several successful saloons in the Hancock area.
Latowski House
Laurium – This stately home was built for Laurium Mining Company president Joseph Latowski in a rather subdued Queen Anne style.
Lieblein House
Hancock – Originally built in 1895, this iconic Victorian home would become the home of Edward Lieblein, owner of a popular wholesale grocer.
MacDonald House
Laurium – This rather impressive brick mansion was built for druggist Norman MacDonald and featured over 34 rooms and six fireplaces.
Milligan House
Laurium – This Classical Revival home was built in 1907 for long time C&H superintendent Captain James Milligan.
Paavola Homestead
Hancock – The remains of an old homestead found within the public confines of the Paavola Wetlands sanctuary.
Stratton House
Hancock – This small unassuming house was the childhood home for famed pottery artist Mary Chase Perry Stratton – founder of Detroit based Pewabic Pottery.
Roehm House
Laurium – Skilled stone mason and local contractor Paul Roehm built this impressive sandstone masterpiece as a showpiece home for his company.
Thielman House
Laurium – Built for lumber tycoon William Thielman, this beautiful home exemplifies the Victorian age Queen Anne style of architecture.
Thomas Hoatson House
Laurium – Easily the largest and most opulent home in the Keweenaw, this massive 13,000 square feet 45 room masterpiece was built in 1908 for the vice president of the Calumet and Arizona Mining Company.
Vivian House
Laurium – This tree shrouded home was built in 1896 for businessman Johnson Vivian, whose local department store had quickly grown to become one of the region’s largest.
Wolverine Superintendent’s House
Kearsarge – This large house served as the home for the Wolverine Mine’s superintendent.
