On September 25th of 2010 Jaclyn went out to make a phone call, then rushed back in to tell us that the smelter was on fire. We all ran out to see the blaze, this was at about 11:30pm, after the fire had been going for approx. 30 minutes. It was still pretty small, but quickly spread to engulf the building.
The most comprehensive article I found on the subject was by the National Parks Service, but it still only states the basic information.
http://www.nps.gov/kewe/parknews/smelter-fire-pr.htm
The TV 6 article mentions that the Isle Royal Park Headquarters has been considering moving across to occupy the smelter.
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=517261
The article also had some interesting comments that fairly well summarized the opinions held about whether it should stay or go:
7 Comments
wastfull said: Monday, September 27, 2010
it looked like a junk yardbefore and a million dollars later it still does. one big eye sore that whole lake shore area.
yooperqueen said: Monday, September 27, 2010
One of the buildings did have power and it's a shame that it's now gone. :-( It was a building that had been cleaned out and cleaned up by another company a few months ago. All the work and hours put in to fix it up for tours and now it's gone. :-(
Fritz Shurmur said: Monday, September 27, 2010
Urban renewal. Burn them all down and put some condos there.. Eyesores!
brrepublic said: Monday, September 27, 2010
11PM on a Saturday night sounds a little fishy to me.How could a fire start there?Was there electricity to the buildings? Did any of them have heat? I have never seen this site so I would not know. And Junior I will bet that you have had your mouth slapped for running your tongue before your brain was in gear.It was probably by your Grandpa who worked at the Smelter.
goofyjr said: Sunday, September 26, 2010
eye sore gone
houghton man replied: Monday, September 27, 2010
along with history and tourism dollars. Happy about that Junior?
concernedyooper replied: Monday, September 27, 2010
However unique the smelter is, don't you think that if it had any true economic value that private investors lined up?
The follow-up article summarized the damage; the carpenter's shed and storage barn had been completely burnt, but the rest of the structures remained intact, thanks to the volunteer fire-fighters.
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=517824
For more discussion visit: http://www.coppercountryforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=316
Michigan Tech Lode Article
http://www.mtulode.com/news/2010/09/25/fire-destroys-structure-near-quincy-smelter/
Other Blogs
http://industrialarchaeology.blogspot.com/2010/09/fire-at-quincy-smelter-site.html
A Flikr user’s photostream, some alright photos (all rights reserved)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steven-michael/5024559807/in/photostream/
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