Clifton, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clifton, Michigan
|
|
|---|---|
Historic marker of Clifton
|
|
 Clifton, Michigan
Location in Michigan
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Keweenaw |
| Township | Allouez |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49805 (Allouez)
|
| Area code(s) | 906 |
Clifton was a small community in Michigan. It was located in Keweenaw County, Michigan. This town was created to support a big copper mine. The mine was called the Cliff mine. Today, Clifton is known as a ghost town. This means it's a place where people used to live, but now it's mostly empty. You can find its remains near Calumet and Eagle Harbor. It's right off U.S. Route 41. There's even a special marker there. It tells visitors about the town's history.
What Was Clifton?
Clifton was a busy mining town. It was in Allouez Township. This area is part of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The town grew because of the important Cliff mine. This mine was one of the first successful copper mines in Michigan. It started operating in 1845.
How Clifton Started
The Cliff mine began after a lot of copper was found there. The Pittsburgh and Boston Mining Company opened the mine. This company needed workers. So, they built a community nearby. This community became Clifton. It provided homes and services for the miners and their families.
Life in Clifton
Mining was the main job in Clifton. Men from many different countries came to work there. These included people of Irish, German, French Canadian, and Cornish backgrounds. They all came seeking work and a new life.
The community of Clifton had some important buildings. There were a few churches for people to worship. These included Catholic and Episcopal churches. The town also had its own independent brewery. It was called the Clifton Bottling Works. This shows that Clifton was a lively place for a while.
Why Clifton Disappeared
Like many mining towns, Clifton's future depended on the mine. After many years, the Cliff mine ran out of copper. This meant there was no more work for the miners. People started to leave to find jobs elsewhere. Slowly, the town became deserted. Today, only remnants and a historical marker remain. They remind us of the busy town that once stood there.
