When we went up there, it was the spring of 76, and the Edmund Fitzgerald had just sank the previous November.  The Central Mine, which we toured, was still in operation... the ONLY copper mine still in operation at that time.

The History of Michigan's copper industry is a very sad one.  I think that is one of the reasons Mom and Dad wanted to go.  We always took trips like that on Dad's vacations:  Always by car, and always to see some historic place or thing.  Mom and Dad always wanted us to see something and learn about something special, historic, and important.  Families don't really do that anymore.  Now-a-days, it's all about taking the kids to Disney World to make em happy!  Sad... :'(