Painesdale, Michigan is one of several historic copper mining towns in Adams Township, Houghton County, on the southern part of the Keweenaw Peninsula, in the northwest Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The chief route through the community is M-26, while Chassel Painesdale Road runs southeast from the southeastern portion of the town.
Incorporated cities and villages within twenty-five miles of Painesdale include South Range, Houghton, Hancock, Lake Linden, Laurium, Calumet, Copper City, and Ahmeek, all of which are further north or northeast along the Keweenaw Peninsula. The unincorporated communities of Champion Mine, Trimountain, South Range, Baltic, Atlantic Mine, Toivola, Dakota Heights, Chassell, Dodgeville, Hurontown, Isle Royale Location, Ripley, Franklin Mine, Donken, and Schmidt Corner are within ten miles.
Champion Mine, just south of the village, and Painesdale were both formed to house workers in the Champion Mine. The Copper Range Company began development on the mine in 1899 and 1900, and the village of Painesdale was named for Albert B. Paine, president of the Copper Range Company. A post office was established on March 6, 1901, with John Polglase as postmaster.
The site of the old Champion Mine is in Painesdale, at the junction of M-26 and the Chassell Painesdale Road. The Champion #4 Shaft-Rock house is the oldest shaft-rock house still standing on the Keweenaw Peninsula, and was one of several Copper Range Company mines that ran from the Atlantic Mine to Painesdale. The mine was working on the 48th level, 4,800 feet from the surface, by the 1930s. Some buildings and several ruins remain from this once active mine. Tours of these historic sites are available from time to time. In 1993, Painesdale was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Painesdale includes rows of identical saltbox workers' houses, as well as managers' houses that were more individualized.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the unincorporated community of Painesdale, Michigan. Online resources for local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, and events are appropriate topics for this category.
Recommended Resources
Adams Township School District
The township school district operates South Range Elementary School in South Range and Jeffers High School in Painesdale, Michigan. The school locations, telephone and fax numbers, a school calendar, and announcements are published on the site, which includes the school history, and information on school safety drills, wellness policies, learning disabilities services, freedom of information policies, and education reports. The Adams Township School District Foundation is introduced.
https://adamstownshipschools.org/
Painesdale Mine and Shaft, Inc.
Organized as a 501©(3) non-profit organization, its purpose and objectives are to preserve the one remaining shaft house (#4), raise funds, receive gifts or bequests, purchase, preserve, and make procurable material and properties pertinent to the history of the area. The organization hopes to use the restored Champion #4 Shaft-Rockhouse as a museum commemorating the history of copper mining. Reports on the restoration are presented, along with a history of the shaft house.
https://painesdalemineshaft.com/
