Photo by Keweenaw National Historic Park, Dan Johnson, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Quincy Mine. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
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About Quincy Mine
Visitors descend into the Quincy Mine near Hancock, Michigan, traveling the Midwest’s only cog‑wheel tram through historic shafts that once reached depths of over 7,000 feet. The underground ride weaves past the No. 2 Shaft Hoist House—a red‑brick, five‑story building that houses the world’s largest steam hoisting engine—while the tram’s self‑supported track follows the original mining tunnels, offering a tangible glimpse of the copper boom’s engineering marvels.
History
The Quincy Mining Company organizes in 1846 and incorporates two years later in 1848 to develop the newly discovered Portage Lake copper deposits. After locating its most productive lode in 1856, the mine pays its first dividend in 1862 and then delivers annual dividends continuously from 1867 through 1921. To address the increasing depth of its shafts, the company commissions Nordberg Manufacturing to build the world’s largest mine hoist; the hoist house finishes in 1918, the engine arrives in late 1919, and full hoist operation begins in November 1920, continuing until the mine closes in 1931. The structure receives designation as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1969 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, following a 1968 restoration that returns the hoist house to public access. Today the Quincy Mine operates as a heritage attraction, preserving the historic hoist house and associated facilities for visitors.
The Trains
Visitors ride the Midwest's only cog-wheel tram on a self-supported track through the original mining tunnels, passing the No. 2 Shaft Hoist House, a five-story building that holds its enormous steam hoisting engine.
Nearby
Michigan's Quincy Mine sits about 8 mi from both the Houghton County Historical Museum and the Lake Linden & Torch Lake Railroad, an easy pairing in the copper country.
Where to Stay
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