Phoenix, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phoenix, Michigan
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Downtown Phoenix along M-26
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 Phoenix, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Phoenix, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Keweenaw |
| Township | Houghton |
| Elevation | 925 ft (282 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49950 (Mohawk)
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| Area code(s) | 906 |
| GNIS feature ID | 634768 |
Phoenix is a small, unincorporated community in Keweenaw County, Michigan. This means it's a group of homes and buildings that doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. You can find Phoenix where two main roads, M-26 and U.S. Highway 41, meet. It is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Eagle River, very close to the shores of Lake Superior.
Contents
Discovering Phoenix: A Mining Story
Phoenix is most famous for being the site of the Phoenix Mine. This was one of the very first copper mines in the Keweenaw Peninsula. The area where Phoenix is located is known as the "Copper Country" because of its rich history of copper mining.
Early Mining Efforts
The story of the Phoenix Mine began with a company called the Lake Superior Copper Company. This company started in the early 1840s. It was the first active copper mine in the entire Copper Country. Imagine how exciting it must have been to discover so much copper! People came from all over to work in these mines.
Life in a Mining Community
As the mine grew, so did the community around it. People needed places to live, shops, and services. Two important buildings from the 1800s still stand today: the Church of the Assumption and the Bammert Blacksmith Shop. These buildings show what life was like for the miners and their families.
Preserving History
The Keweenaw County Historical Society has worked hard to save and protect these old buildings. They help people learn about the history of Phoenix and the important role copper mining played in the region. Visiting these sites is like taking a step back in time.
