 | | Don Hunt | | Hauntingly similar to ancient ruins, this slowly crumblinig building is well up the hill from the village and mine because it held the dynamite used to blast tunnels through the dense copper-laden rock. | Here are the scattered and exceedingly picturesque remains of a mining town that numbered over 1,200 residents in 1880. Central Mine was organized in 1854 to mine a vein exposed by a pit dug by earlier Ojibwa miners. It closed in 1898, having paid dividends of nearly two million dollars on an original investment of $100,000. It and Cliffs Mine were the eastern Keweenaw's most profitable mines.
 | | Don Hunt | | The distinctive style of Central's 1869 Methodist church reflects the castle-like style found in southwestern England's Cornwall. | The Keweenaw County Historical Society has purchased 11 weathered frame houses and 38 acres of land at Central. It has opened a visitor center in one house near the highway. Central is a low-key destination, best enjoyed while walking. It combines wildflowers and gnarled old apple trees, hauntingly spare buildings and ruins, and beautiful views across to Mount Horace Greeley. In mining days the landscape was quite bare, in contrast to today's verdant look. Directly off U.S. 41 just east of the road to the townsite, "the towering pile of poor rock dominates the landscape and is the physical and spiritual center of Central," wrote Central summer resident Duffy Liddicoat. "It is a testament to the years of hard work that went into making a successful mine. And it is the place where many generations of rock hounds have spent countless happy hours - prospecting."
The street that goes farther up the hill passes the doctor's house, a simple place. If you turn east at the first cross street, you'll pass the paymaster's house (now one of Central's private residences) and come to the beautiful stone ruins of Engine House #2, which powered the mine's steam hoist. Beyond it is the business manager's imposing house.
Central's residents were largely Cornish. In 1868 they built the simple Methodist church with the fortress-like crenellated tower, in the style of old Cornish masonry churches. It was the community's social center; the basement held the Sunday school and library. You'll see it if you turn left at the cross street up the hill. The annual Central Reunion has been held at the church since 1907, when the new Keweenaw Central Railroad enabled the town's scattered former residents to return for a homecoming. At early reunions "the hills were black with people." The Cornish were known for singing - like the Welsh, who were kindred Celts, Methodists, and miners. The mighty bass voice of one Central miner was said to penetrate 10 levels into a mine and 15 miles down the road. Hymn-singing and a cornet band were the preferred forms of musical expression among the largely teetotaling Methodists here. Choirs sang hymns competitively, with the yearly championship held in Calumet.
The Central Reunion takes place at the church in two services on the last Sunday of July. It doesn't recreate an old-time Methodist service. But its well rehearsed choir includes some of the old hymns at both the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services.
Central is just north off U.S. 41, three and a half miles east of the M-26 junction. Look for the sign and go up the hill. Site open year-round. Visitor Center open from early June thru color season, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Wheelchair access: buildings have steps.
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