Abstract Collection, 1747; 1800-1975, bulk 1890-1970, of Ben R. Chynoweth, a resident of Hancock, Michigan and amateur historian of Isle Royale, Michigan. Collection documents the shipping, mining endeavors and fishing industry of Isle Royale in addition to the formation of Isle Royale National Park in 1940. Photographs in the collection show the island's geographical features, the people, the fishing industry, and the Great Lakes ships. Includes pamphlets, correspondence, maps, scrapbooks and...

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Records, 1897-1911, of the vessels passing through Portage Lake Ship Canals, Lake Superior, Michigan.

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Collection, 1904-2005, of Donald L. Nelson, a local maritime historian and former lighthouse keeper and retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard. Includes research files on lighthouses, life saving stations, Coast Guard vessels, and other maritime topics as well as photographs, articles, and books written by Donald Nelson.

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Diary, 1886-1891, of Francis Jacker, the lighthouse keeper at Raspberry Island, Wisconsin, part of the Apostle Islands group in Lake Superior. Includes descriptions of daily activities, with notes on ships passing the lighthouse.

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Photograph collection, 1954-1967, of black-and-white photographs taken by John Harry Reeder, a retired mining engineer in Houghton, Michigan. Images include Great Lakes shipping, Michigan copper mining locations, and the construction of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.

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Invoices, 1870, from Cleveland Rolling Mill Co. billed to Portage Lake and Lake Superior Ship Canal Company of Houghton, Michigan. Legislation for construction of the canal was passed in 1861 and created the Portage Lake and Lake Superior Ship Canal Company.

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Correspondence, 1859-1910, received and sent by Richard M. Hoar, a prominent early citizen of Houghton, Michigan. Includes correspondence pertaining to his business with his brother, J. Hoar & Brother, a general merchandise business, as well as other business related correspondence, bills and receipts. Also includes correspondence from his capacity as a member of the Michigan state legislature and Houghton town official.

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Freight books, 1878-1881, of the steamship IVANHOE. The mail steamer ran between L'Anse and Hancock, Michigan with mail, passengers and express freight. Details the consignor, consignee, description, and weight for freight carried.