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 Our
story starts in October of 1929 due to the crash of the
stock market which contributed to local decline of local
mining industry profits. On September 12, 1932, the
mining companies announced that they were permanently
suspending all mining activities. Unfortunately, most of
the mining company was in Keweenaw County. About 1,000
families found themselves without work or money. At the
time, the state emergency welfare relief commission in
Lansing reported a 75.2% unemployment rate in Keweenaw
County. Not only was this the highest unemployment rate
in the state, but also the country.
Soon, the
Depression-era road projects started with hopes of
creating work for Keweenaw county residents. President
Roosevelt and staff came up with the Federal Emergency
Relief Administration (FERA). FERA gave states and local
government financial assistance to assist with the
unemployment in Keweenaw County.
Three board
members of the Keweenaw County Road Commission came up
with a plan to put Keweenaw County's unemployed back to
work by constructing roads and Brockway Mountain Drive.
In October 1933, the Road Commission commissioners
reviewed several areas to build what was then known as
the Keweenaw Park & Golf Course project. 167 acres was
given to the county by the Keweenaw Copper Company,
formally known as Aetna Mining Company. The giving of
this land came with the condition that a 9-hole golf
course would be constructed and the park would always be
open to the people of Keweenaw County.
Construction started in 1933 under the guidance of
architect Ocha Potter and a crew of 124 men. One team of
horses was also used to assist with the hauling of trees
to be used as logs for the construction of what is now
the present-day Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and the cabins.
The outspoken character of the Lodge continues today
stronger than ever. People live it and breathe it when
they're here. Our Lodge brings out a boldness and
charisma in all of us.
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