Restoration

Champion #4 before (pre-1996) and after. We certainly have come a long way!

2024

  • PM&S acquired Lot 30 to act as a site buffer to future development to the north.
    Installed two new interpretive signs, the Miner’s Memorial and the Information Kiosk.
  • We removed the asbestos hazard caused by the transit tiles on the Hexagonal Water Tank building.
  • Performed structural remediation on the Hexagonal Water Tank building in preparation for residing.

2023

  • Refurbished the hoist house windows with new woodwork and glazing.
  • A ground level support column that was completely corroded at the base and was splinted back to the original foundation.
  • A new support column running to a new concrete footing was added to support a long steel beam span at levels 2 and 3.
  • Level 2 decking was stabilized and wood handrails installed.
  • The stairs leading from level 2-3 were replaced using original blueprints from 1902.
  • Level 3 decking replacement and wooden handrails installed.
  • All of the original decking on Level 4 was torn up and new steel joists put into place. New rough sawn decking was installed over the joists across the whole floor.
  • Adams Township donated Lot 29 along with the Hexagonal Water Tank Building to PM&S.
  • Environmental study of Lot 29 property identified the presence of asbestos transits tiles covering the hexagonal building.
  • Removed the trees and vegetation from a lot 29.
  • Added walking trail.
  • Added a 4’ x 8’ welcome sign close to the ORV Trail.

2022

  • Three interpretive signs were installed on the cement pad left from the demolition of the old chlorination building.
  • A wooden bench added.
  • Contractors used a 130’ man lift to replace/reattach corrugated roof panels.
  • Rewire of the Captain’s Office and added new pendant ceiling lights.
  • Repainted Captain’s Office with copper range green (julep mint from Sherwin Williams)

2021

  • The 500 pound safe from the old mine office was moved to the hoist house.
  • The Captain’s Office back door was upgraded to a modern metal door for security and widened to make it ADA accessible.
  • The old water utility chlorination building was removed from the site.
  • Steel stairs were added to lead from the parking area down to the lower level of the site.

2020

  • All the trees and bush between the shaft house and the hoist house was removed.
  • Large boulders were placed along the south property line and a chain now bars the drive down to the hoist house.
  • Asbestos was removed from several locations in the shaft house, the Captain’s Office and steam pipes located around the grounds.

2019

  • Two lower ore bins (north and south chambers) were mucked out to access the primary support columns.
  • Repair of six primary columns that support the hundreds of tons of machinery that remain in the shaft-rockhouse.
  • An environmental survey was conducted of our buildings.

2018

  • UP Engineers & Architects conducted a structural survey of the shaft house to identify areas in need of reservation.
  • Contractor secured the corrugated metal siding on the shaft house, secured and replaced sections of the sheathing as needed.
  • A new front door was installed on the Captain’s Office.
  • Straightened shaft house stairs going from ground level to second level.
  • One of the timber stanchion had to be laid down due severe wood rot in the support timbers.

2017

The inside of the shafthouse shows the large materials car lowered.
  • Removed 5 trailers full of debris from the Captain’s Office and the Shaft House.
  • The Materials skip was lowered from its original hanging position to the ground.
  • New roof on the Captain’s Office.
  • The floor of the shaft house was leveled with poor rock from the poor rock pile nearby.

2016 and Prior

  • Added a concrete parking area on the north of the Captain’s Office with a ramp going to the back of the building making the building ADA accessible.
  • Restored the windows of the shaft house to their original condition.
  • Repaired/replaced the front steps going to the Captain’s office.
  • Phase 1 of the restoration was completed in 1996. Corrugated metal was installed on the north and west walls of the shaft house. Phase 2 completed the project with corrugated metal on the south and east walls.

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