Old Settlers Ball and Copper Country Homecoming Collection

Collection — Box: 1-3

Identifier: MS-823

Staff Only

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Collection, 1874-2004, of the 2004 Old Settlers Ball and the Copper Country Homecoming events in Michigan's Keweenaw County. Includes contents of a time capsule including information about the first and second Old Settlers balls in 1874 and 1890 as well as the third Old Settlers Ball and Copper Country Homecoming held in 2004. Also includes programs, committee documents, financial records, press releases, clippings, and other printed ephemera from the 2004 organizing committee and symposium.

Dates

1874-2004

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

The first Old Settlers Ball in 1874 was held at The Phoenix Hotel in Eagle River, in Michigan's Keweenaw County. The 260 early settlers reminisced about the events of the copper boom dating back to 1844. The second Old Settlers Ball was in 1890 at the Dee Building in Houghton. The ball was attended by hundreds who came by stagecoach and railroad, to again reminisce about the early copper rush. __The tradition continued in 2004 with the Third Old Settlers Ball and the Copper Country Homecoming held at Dee Stadium in Houghton. In addition to the ball, the events also included a day long History and Photo Fair and a symposium of local history related lectures, talks, and studies.