Skip to main content

Thomas C. Roberts trust collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-994

Scope and Contents

Photographs, slides, and family histories, circa 1900-1950, related to the Coon Family of Hancock, Michigan. Included are two photograph albums, many of which document the Houghton and Hancock area and include views of snow removal, logging, and construction.Also included are photographs of the 1942 Houghton High School band, a group photograph from Suomi College, and some loose photograph album pages depicting unidentified individuals on Labor Day at Calumet Waterworks and general group and individual poses.

The collection also includes four boxes of 35mm slides and negatives, 1913-1997. The slides include views from locations throughout Michigan, but primarily document locations, buildings, and objects from Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Included are images of locomotives and railroad machinery, buildings, and aparataces; freighters, fires, Michigan wildlife, and local cities and buildings such as the Houghton County Courthouse, churches, and Michigan Technological University campus. The Portage Lake Lift Bridge, Isle Royale’s Ranger III, and a variety of lighthouses are also documented. Additionally, the slides includes scenes of mining ruins throughout the Copper Country. Cities and towns documented in the collection include Houghton, Hancock, Calumet; Lake Linden, Donken, and Mason; Hubbell, Laurium, and Painesdales; as well as, Copper Harbor and its surrounding areas, Eagle River, and Eagle Harbor. Locations such as Ishpeming, Marquette, Kalamazoo, Mackinaw City, and Sault Ste Marie are also represented.

Finally, the collection also includes several families histories written by George Coon, which document the Coon Family's history back to Thomas Albert Coon.

Dates

  • approximately 1900-1997

Conditions Governing Access

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

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas Charles Roberts was born in Hancock, Michigan on October 5, 1947 to Mary Coon Roberts and Dashaway Charles Roberts, but grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan. Roberts attended Kalamazoo Jr. College and finished his degree in Education at Michigan State University after which he substitute taught in the Battle Creek school district before serving a full U.S. Army tour of duty in Vietnam. Following his discharge, Roberts worked at the Battle Creek Federal Center until his retirement.

Roberts had a deep passion for the Copper Country and was an railroad and postcard collector. Additionally, Roberts was a lifetime member of the Painesdale Mine and Shaft, Inc. Upon his death at age 68 on February 16, 2016, a trust was established in his name. Local recipients included the Quincy Mine Hoist Association, Copper Range Historical Museum; the Calumet Theatre Co., Quincy Smelter Association, and the Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc. among others.

Extent

1.87 cubic feet (1 manuscript box and 5 flat boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Photographs, slides, and family histories, circa 1900-1950, related to the Coon Family of Hancock, Michigan.

Title
Thomas C. Roberts Trust Collection
Status
In Progress
Author
Allison Neely
Date
04/08/2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US