LAKE SUPERIOR COUNTRY page-4

They were of green stone and porphyry boulders. Selecting a stone of the desired size and form, the ancient miner cut a groove, arched it so that it might be secured by a withe and thus wielded as a sledge hammer.”
After this discovery the Ontonagon District speedily assumed such importance as to over-shadow the older Keweenaw District. The country was rapidly filled with enterprising people, and much eastern capital sought investment therein. The village of Ontonagon, on the lake shore, at the mouth of the river of the same name, grew apace and became, for a time, the leading town on the lake. The mines, situated in the interior, fourteen miles up the river, were reached first by the river in flat boats, but as the 18 river was shallow and difficult to navigate, a plank road was built direct to the mints. Rockland and other flourishing villages sprang up near the mines as adjuncts and trading places for the mine people. The success of the Minesota, Rockland, and National mines, all on the same lode and joining each other, caused new efforts to be made in mines opened interior to the Minesota, and upon which work for a time, between 1847 and 1849, had been suspended, or only feebly sustained. Indeed, there was a general revival of business and settlement in the country. The people were distinguished for intelligence, business capacity, and great hardihood. As pioneers they battled with the vigorous climate bravely, and with bold and dauntless courage attacked the dense forests, subdued them, and planted flourishing towns and villages, which possessed many of the advantages and characteristics of American settlements in more favored climes.

Tagged as: Keweenaw District, Ontonagon District