This Haunting Road Trip Through Michigan Ghost Towns Is One You Won't Forget

Much of the Upper Peninsula was home to copper mines, where entire towns were built from the ground up during the 19th century. By the turn of the 20th century, many of these communities fell into disrepair when the mines ceased operation. Others are still going, though they’re now sleepy burgs in comparison. Some have been abandoned altogether, creating ghost towns in Michigan.

Every Michigander loves a good road trip, so today we’re going to take a trip to some of the more abandoned places in the Keweenaw Peninsula. The trip only takes a couple of hours and you get to catch a glimpse of many of the remains of these ghost towns along US 41. Along the way, you’ll also experience the vast natural beauty that makes up the UP. For your convenience, we’ve included a link to the trip so you have the itinerary handy. Have a look!

1. Mandan

This town is all but abandoned, as there is hardly anyone left nowadays. The community was formed in 1864 with the founding of the Mandan Company. Mining proved to be difficult here and the operation fell into disrepair by just after the turn of the 20th century.

Central Mine, Mohawk, MI 49950, USA

sara hattie / Flickr

Formed in 1854, the Central Mining Company built a company town for use by the workers. The community remained, along with its residential structures though it's a national historic district. Though it was once home to circa 1,200 people, much of the old mine is now a restoration site. Want to help fund the restoration process? You can now rent a cottage at this historic place!

Quincy Mine, 49750 US Hwy 41, Hancock, MI 49930, USA

John W. Iwanski / Flickr

From 1898 to 1957, this smelter processed copper. Today, the mines are gone, leaving behind the hollowed-out structures. This site is now a National Historic Landmark District, as it is the only remaining copper smelter in the United States from that era.

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Laurium, Calumet Twp, MI 49913, USA

Wystan / Flickr

This town was named after a mining town in ancient Greece. Though not a genuine ghost town (it has a population of just under 2,000), it still remains a historical site/former company town for the Laurium copper mine. This town is worth a visit, and it has an interesting history that you will enjoy learning about.

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Dollar Bay, MI, USA

sara hattie / Flickr

Another small village that's not quite a ghost town, you'll still catch some haunting scenery of copper country on your way there. You'll enjoy a scenic drive down M-26 with the windows down!

Enjoy an aerial view of the beautiful Dollar Bay in this video from DennisFam Adventures. These Upper Peninsula ghost towns sure know how to tug at our hearts:

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Lake Linden, MI 49945, USA

Shawn Wrobel / Flickr

Founded as the site of a copper ore processing plant under the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company, a section of this village of about 1,000 has been added to the National Register of Historic Places - thus solidifying its place in copper country.

Hubbell, MI, USA

Steven Isaacson / Flickr

This thriving mining town was once home to C&H Mining. Today, not much remains of that site, and the town itself has a mere 900 residents or so. It is near the beautiful Hungarian Falls, so is definitely worth a pit stop on the way to the falls.

Gay, MI 49950, USA

Steven Isaacson / Flickr

With among the smallest populations on this list (there are about 60 residents), this was once home to the Mohawk Mining Company. This teeny tiny community still features ruins of the old mines and mills, including a large smokestack that towers over the trees.

Take a tour of Gay, Michigan in this video from the Hometown History - Podcast. It may be nearly a ghost town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but at least they can have a bit of fun:

Mandan, MI 49950, USA

Adolph F. Isler (1848-1912); dust cleaned up by Howcheng., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

And with that, we return to our starting place of Mandan. This site's two copper mines were abandoned in 1909, meaning time has largely stood still in the past century.

With so many interesting ghost towns in Michigan to visit, there is a lot to learn about our history. Have you ever spent some time in these Michigan towns? Have you heard tales from family members of life in these now-abandoned places? We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments!

Love Michigan history and the beauty of abandoned places? You will love taking an abandoned places road trip through the state. Pack the car or rent an RV from RVShare and go on an abandoned adventure!