Centennial Mine, Centennial, Houghton Co., Michigan, USA

Ref.: (in part): Rocks & Min.: 21:664; 58:109, U.S.G.S PP 144, "The Hard Rock Mining Era", by Kilpela.

An underground copper mine consisting of 7 incline shafts near the community of Centennial, just north of Calumet. The Schoolcraft Mining Co. was organized in 1863 and worked the Calumet Conglomerate in a small scale operation until it went bankrupt in 1873. In 1876, the Centennial Mining Co. organized on the previously owned Schoolcraft property and worked the Osceola Amygdaloid until 1896, at which time the company re-organized as the Centennial Copper Co. Work was discontiued on the Calumet Cgl. and the Osceola Amyg. and two new incline shafts were driven on the Kearsarge Amygdaloid. In 1923, Calumet and Hecla took control of the mine and operated it until 1931 when it closed. In 1944, shaft #2 was reopened and operated until 1966 when the mine closed for good. Before C&H took control, the Centennial Mine produced approx, 37 million lbs. of refined copper. The mine today offers the collector a wide range of minerals. A visit to #3 or #6 can produce copper "skulls" and an occasional greenstone (Chlorastrolite). Shafts #1 and #2 can yield copper crystals, silver, datolite, and incredible quartz/epidote crystals. A note about #1 and #2, the county owns these piles and uses them for their activities; at last check these piles were almost gone!