For those who stumble across these pages while surfing- and for those not  familiar with Michigan Tech University  and Sigma Rho Fraternity -the events described here took place  fifty years ago near the towns of Copper Falls and Eagle Harbor in the Keweenaw Peninsula, which projects northward from Michigan's Upper Peninsula into Lake Superior and is the most northerly land mass in Michigan. 

"The Keweenaw", as its often referred to by those familiar with Michigan's Upper Peninsula is still largely unspoiled and some would describe it as "pristine".  The "marks" left by the extensive copper mining, such as ghost towns, falling down shaft houses and other ruins,  rather than scarring the landscape, have become part of its charm.

 Incidentally, in actuality the Keweenaw is not really a peninsula but is an island separated from the rest of Michigan's Upper Peninsula by a canal known as Portage Lake.

The participants in these events were members of Sigma Rho Fraternity, originally a mining fraternity and the oldest professional fraternity in the US- possibly in the world.

In the late 1950's the members of Sigma Rho Fraternity under took to remove an "antique" steam driven hoist from the Copper Falls mine near the town of Eagle Harbor, Michigan. there are links below to detailed accounts of the project.  The photos you see here are actual images of photos taken at the time, over a span of a couple years, with one exception, which shows the reconstructed hoist as it sits today in front of the Sigma Rho House in Chassell, Michigan. 

Occasionally, we'll be adding  information and photos. Watch for the changes. If anyone has photos, graphics or other info that they would like to see on this site:

• Send the material to me as an email attachment to: cca@sigmarhominehoist.com or
• Snail mail to Chuck Arnold, 45780 Pontiac Trail, Commerce Township, MI 48390

Thanks,

Chuck Arnold

© Copyright 1997-2006 C. Charles Arnold- All Rights Reserved