A group of visitors explores the underground of the Quincy Mine.
NPS Photo: Nathan Miller
Distance: 32 miles
Drive Time: 2-4 hours
Quincy Unit and Quincy Mine Tours
From Calumet, head south on US-41 to the Quincy Unit and mine just north of Hancock.
For an underground mine tour, inquire in the gift shop.
Outside exploration of the grounds is free of charge. Use caution when crossing US-41 to explore the Dry House Ruins.
The Finnish American Heritage Center is open year-round.
NPS Photo: Nathan Miller
Finnish American Heritage Center
After visiting the mine, continue south on US-41 for two miles. Turn left onto Mesnard St. Park on the road or in the parking lot off Ryan St.
The Finnish American Heritage Center is community focal point, offering a multitude of exhibits, lectures, plays, musical programs, and community events each year.
A diverse array of mineral specimens are on display at the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum.
NPS Photo: Nathan Miller
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum
From the Finnish American Heritage Center proceed to Hancock St. (US-41 South). Cross the lift bridge and follow US-41 South to the Michigan Technological University Campus. Turn right on MacInnes Dr and proceed up the hill approximately one mile to A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, located at 1404 E. Sharon Avenue.
Here you will find one of the finest collections of minerals in North America is on display.
Copper was reclaimed from waste sands in Torch Lake with help from the Quincy dredge.
NPS Photo
Quincy dredge, stamp mills, and Torch Lake
Return to US-41 North from MacInnes Drive. Stop in Houghton at one of several parks along Lakeshore Dr. for views of the Quincy smelter.
Continue north on US-41 back across the bridge and bear right onto M-26. Follow this north about 6 miles to the Quincy Dredge in Torch Lake. Companies, such as Quincy, used dredges to collect stamp sands from the lake and recover copper.
Continue north on M-26 to and note the Stamp Mill Ruins of the Ahmeek Mining Company in Tamarack. Dozens of these stamps in many different mills would have been hammering the ore to separate the copper from the mined rock.
