Mohawk Mine
Copper Country Heritage Guide - TypesAs the end of the nineteenth century arrived, most of the Copper Country’s copper discoveries on its northern end had already been made – save for one. That mine was the Mohawk, and it was formed just a few years shy of the turn of the century, established on a tract of land squeezed between the Seneca to the north and the Ahmeek to the south. Legend has it that the mine was formed after copper was discovered in the roots of an upturned tree. No matter how it was discovered, the Mohawk proved to have in its possession some of the richest ground known to exist along the Kearsarge Lode.
The mine’s success would prompt the sinking of a total of six shafts along its property, labeled from north to south. Three of those shafts are grouped rather closely together on the eastern edge of Mohawk itself, while the final two are spread further apart to the south closer to the Ahmeek property. The mine would also erect a rather large and impressive mill complex along the Lake Superior shore at the small town of Gay. The mill was built in partnership with its neighbor to the south – the Wolverine, who also helped contribute to the mines construction of a lengthy short-line railroad connected both mines with those mills.
The Mohawk would operate independently for many years, but would succumb – as did most Copper Country properties – to the Depression. Both mine and mill were closed in 1932.
Click on an image below for more information.
Gay Sands
Gay – Sprawled along Lake Superior for several miles this 300 acre desolate landscape is entirely man-made, a result of several decades of milling operations from the Mohawk and Wolverine mills.
Mohawk Mill
Gay – The sprawling ruins of this massive stamp mill originally built in 1901 are marked by a towering 265 foot concrete smoke stack overlooking the neighboring community of Gay.
Mohawk No.3
Mohawk -The rock piles from the No.3 shaft sits just east of town behind the old Mohawk School.
Mohawk No.5
Mohawk – The concrete foundations from this old Mohawk shaft’s rock house sit right alongside the road along conveniently labeled No.5 road.
Mohawk No.6
Mohawk – The last shaft to be sunk by the Mohawk Mine, the remains of the No.6 are adorned by a towering concrete pillar once used to support the rock house’s drop hammer.
Mohawk Powder House
Mohawk – Built in 1915 this rock walled building was once used to store the explosives required at the neighboring Mohawk Mine.Learn More…








