Looking out over the broad stretch of sandy beach on the Lake Superior shore near the town of Eagle River it's hard to imagine that this shallow expanse of water was once a bustling shipping port. While it lacks a natural harbor such as those found at Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor the mines near Eagle River built a series of docks and warehouses that turned the town into a hub of commercial activity.
The Crestview Casino and resort area opened in 1909 and operated during the summers until it burnt in 1925.
The Keweenaw County Historical Society, The Keweenaw National Historical Park, and the community of Eagle River have worked together to develop The Eagle River Museum. The museum will focus on four major themes: The Cliff Mine; the town of Eagle River, the neighboring town and mine of Phoenix; and the amusement area known as Crestview which was located between Phoenix and Eagle River. The ceiling height of the first floor of the building was restored to it's original height and new windows were installed before work was begun on designing and installing exhibits, etc.
An early photograph showing the Cliff Mine stamp mill and rock pile. Photo courtesy of the Keweenaw County Historical Society.
One of the first mines that used Eagle River as their port for shipping out copper and bringing in supplies was the neighboring Cliff Mine. The Cliff was the first commercially successful mine in the Keweenaw. While the most productive time of the Cliff was 1844 to 1870 some work continued on and off through the 1930's. During the 1844-1870 period the owners of the Cliff invested $110,000 in the mine and got back more than $2,000,000 in profits. The first major exhibit for the Eagle River Museum, due to open in the fall of 2010, will examine the Cliff Mine, it's importance to mining technology and the relationship of the mine to the community of Eagle River.
The KCHS has had tours to the Cliff Mine site, including this tour of Shaft No. 3 near the top of the cliff.
The museum is already planning exhibits on the important role Eagle River plays in the history of the Keweenaw, Phoenix and the Crestview Casino and resort area. The Keweenaw Central Railroad built a pavilion and recreation area between the towns of Phoenix and Eagle River in 1909 and called it Crestview. It was designed to encourage the use of the railroad beyond the mines. The Crestview Casino has a kitchen, running water, etc. and was used by individuals and groups seeking to enjoy a nice day in the country. Visitors could either walk to the shore of Lake Superior or take a wagon ride to the beach. It was estimated that over 500,000 people visited Crestview during it's first year in 1909. Though Crestview was called a casino, gambling and alcoholic beverages were not allowed at Crestview according to the brochures published by the railroad..
The Eagle River Museum will provide a series of exhibits devoted to the history of Eagle River, Phoenix, and the neighboring mines. The museum will open during the summer of 2011. Once the museum is opened it will operate yearly from mid-June to early October. Donation requested.