Rock House Tours
Come see the newly opened upper levels of the Champion Mine’s Shaft-Rock House #4. The Champion #4 is the oldest remaining shaft-rock house on the Keweenaw Peninsula. This is a tour unlike any other in Copper Country. This tour focuses on the Shaft-Rock House and highlights the machinery that brought the ore to the surface and performed preliminary processing before being sent off to be milled. Most of the original machinery is still in place, just turned off. Follow the path that the copper ore took from the crushers high above in the Rock House to the ground level ore bins where the crushed ore was stored waiting to be transported by train to Freda.
The tour includes a visit inside our hoist house with its intact hoist engine and the Captain’s Office with exhibits that include business records, photographs, and blueprints
Times:
Fridays @ 12:00 PM Eastern DST
Saturdays @ 12:00 PM Eastern DST.
We are open May 30 until the end of Color Season.
We do not have a reservation system so ticket availability is first come, first served. Due to close quarters in places, we must restrict group size to 15 individuals. We will have a sign up sheet so feel free to come early to walk around our historic site. Tours range from 2-3 hours in length. Our grounds are open for walking year-round during daylight hours.
Cost:
$15 per adult
$10 per Youth (7 to 17 years)
Requirements: Close toed shoes, hard hats (provided), safety/eye glasses (safety glasses provided if needed).
Accessibility: Visitors to the upper levels must be able to climb up and down 3 flights of steep steps unassisted and be able to duck under obstacles ~5’ above the walking surface. All stairs have good handrails. Most decking is level with a few uneven thresholds.
Private Tours
Private Tours of the upper levels and surface building are available if arranged in advance. This is perfect for family reunions and organized groups. Email us for information and to arrange a tour.
Private Tour Cost: Private Tours require an advance deposit of $60. This deposit will cover the cost of up to 4 visitors. There is an additional charge of $15 per person ($10 for youth) for any number of individuals over 4. Once the deposit has been received, a tour time is confirmed. We have a very limited number of Tour Guides so it is best to set up Private Tour well in advance.
Contact:
Email: painesdalemine@gmail.com
Phone: 906-369-5358
Email is preferred and faster.