Railroad: Lac La Belle and Calumet Rail Road Company

Built → Lac La Belle & Calumet Railroad → Renamed Keweenaw Central Railroad

Built: 1881 Lac La Belle to the Delaware Mine.

Operated under this name for 24 years, off and on.

Renamed: Keweenaw Central - 1905.

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

This was a three foot gauge line, extending from Conglomerate Company Stamp Mill at Mendota (on Lac La Belle) to the Delaware Mine, a distance of 7.6 miles. [CRR] It had 50# rail with a maximum grade of 3%. [CRR]

Time Line

1883. This road was organized as a private extension of the Conglomerate Mining Company. By 1884, the railroad was operating.

1884. Conglomerate Mining Company, the parent organization shuts down. [CRR]

1905. The Keweenaw Copper company was formed by C.A. Wright and others., They purchased much mineral land including nine mines in Keweenaw County. [CRR]

1905. June. The Lac La Belle & Calumet files a certificate to change their name to Keweenaw Central and plans to construct 32 miles of standard gauge to extend the road between Calumet and Lac La Belle. [RG-1905-0602:184]

1905. Trains were running over the old Lac La Belle and Calumet right-of-way. [CRR]