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The Keweenaw Copper Rush: America's First Mining Boom (Part 3)
Hometown History

Forgotten stories from America's small towns.Hosted by Shane Waters12 min episode

The Keweenaw Copper Rush: America's First Mining Boom (Part 3)

April 11, 202212mEpisode 54

Transcript

98 segments

Show Notes

Keweenaw, Michigan. The first mining boom in American history was not the California Gold Rush, the Klondike Gold Rush, or any other gold rush. The first mining boom in American history was the Copper Rush of the uppermost part of the Upper Peninsula, the Keweenaw Peninsula. And by the time it was over, this boom actually had a greater economic impact than either of those gold rushes. In fact, from the 1860s to the 1920s, this part of Michigan supplied over 90% of the world's Copper.

WHY THIS MATTERS
The story of Keweenaw is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know.

Episode 54 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters

Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-history



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Credits

Shane Waters, Founder & Host

Produced by Myths & Malice

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