You’ll find Print nestled in Michigan’s rugged Upper Peninsula, where abandoned industrial structures recall its manufacturing heyday from the late 1800s until the 1929 crash. The ghost town sits amid dense maple and pine forests overlooking Lake Superior, with dramatic bedrock bluffs and sandy beaches nearby. While less protected than other ghost towns like Fayette, Print’s remaining buildings offer glimpses into life in a company town where workers once lived under strict corporate control.
Key Takeaways
- Print emerged during Michigan’s industrial revolution, transitioning from lumber to metal manufacturing and textiles by 1888.
- Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Print features dramatic Lake Superior shoreline views and dense forests of maple, birch, and pine.
- The town declined after the 1929 stock market crash, which severely impacted local industrial operations and economic stability.
- Workers lived in company-owned housing under strict corporate control, facing harsh conditions and immediate eviction if breadwinners died.
- Unlike preserved ghost towns such as Fayette, Print remains largely unprotected and faces ongoing decay from environmental factors.
The Rise and Fall of Print’s Industrial Legacy
As Michigan’s industrial revolution gained momentum in the late 19th century, Print emerged as one of many small manufacturing towns dotting the state’s expanding economic landscape.
You’ll find Print’s story intertwined with the region’s industrial diversification, powered by the arrival of railroads and the boom in iron ore shipping. The town’s early success mirrored that of nearby Michigan City, where the Roeske Mill processed lumber and flour.
Like its neighbors, Print rode the waves of economic changes. When lumber peaked in 1888, the town adapted alongside regional shifts toward metal manufacturing and textile production. The stock market crash of 1929 dealt a severe blow to Print’s industrial operations.
You can trace Print’s industrial height through the early 1900s, when nearby Port Huron’s shipbuilding and engine manufacturing operations were thriving.
The town’s connectivity through rail lines and water routes positioned it well for commerce, though eventually, technological advancements and competition from larger urban centers would challenge Print’s industrial foundations.
Geographic Location and Natural Setting
If you’re hiking through Print’s mountain terrain, you’ll discover stunning overlooks of Lake Superior’s dramatic shoreline stretching endlessly toward the horizon.
The ghost town’s elevated position within the rugged Upper Peninsula offers sweeping views across dense forests of maple, birch, and pine that blanket the surrounding hills. Similar to how high green spaces characterize modern Singapore’s landscape, Print’s natural surroundings provide a refreshing escape into nature. Just as shifting sands buried the town of Singapore, Michigan in the 1880s, the forces of nature have gradually reclaimed Print’s remnants.
You’ll find yourself immersed in the raw beauty of Michigan’s northernmost wilderness, where the abandoned settlement sits quietly among ancient trees and rocky outcrops.
Lake Superior Shore Views
The dramatic shoreline of Lake Superior near Print, Michigan stretches along the south-central portion of the Upper Peninsula, featuring a diverse landscape of bedrock bluffs and sandy beaches.
You’ll find remarkable shoreline diversity here, where the coast alternates between resistant bedrock formations and sheltered sandy coves, each shaped by Lake Superior’s powerful waves. The area experiences low erosion rates due to the dominance of resistant bedrock.
From Print’s vantage point, you’ll witness the raw beauty of coastal ecosystems adapting to high-energy wave action. The underlying Canadian Shield bedrock creates a nutrient-poor environment characteristic of Lake Superior’s watershed.
In protected areas, you can explore sandy beaches where the water’s force diminishes, while exposed sections showcase impressive cobble and boulder-strewn shores.
The interaction between the lake’s cold, clear waters and the ancient bedrock creates dramatic views that highlight the region’s geological heritage, offering you glimpses of both rugged cliffs and gentle, sandy bays.
Forested Upper Peninsula Landscape
Stretching across Michigan’s northernmost reaches, Print’s surrounding Upper Peninsula landscape encompasses a vast wilderness of mixed temperate and boreal forests.
You’ll find yourself immersed in a dynamic forest ecology shaped by glacial forces, where elevations rise from 577 feet near the Great Lakes’ shores to 1,979 feet at Mount Arvon’s peak.
The terrain’s gentle rolls showcase second-growth forests dominated by aspen, paper birch, and various pine species – a reflection of the region’s logging heritage since the 1800s. This diverse woodland served as a crucial resource for the high timber demand that fueled construction and shipbuilding industries throughout the late 19th century. The landscape features distinctive glacial moraines that were carved and deposited during past ice ages.
Today, these extensive wildlife habitats span roughly 8.8 million acres, with about one-third preserved as public lands.
The surrounding Ottawa and Hiawatha National Forests protect this rugged landscape, where three Great Lakes influence local climate patterns and shape the ever-evolving wilderness.
Notable Structures and Remaining Architecture
While many Michigan ghost towns have vanished without a trace, several notable sites preserve remarkable architectural remnants that offer glimpses into the state’s industrial past.
You’ll find the most complete ghost town architecture at Fayette Historic Townsite, where 20 preserved structures showcase 19th-century industrial design, including an impressive blast furnace and eleven museum buildings.
An interpretive 1.4-mile hiking trail winds through Tyoga’s remnants, with historical photos and descriptions marking where buildings once stood. In contrast, Quincy Copper Mine presents dilapidated yet telling structures from the Upper Peninsula’s mining era. The Keweenaw Peninsula holds ruins of century-old mining buildings and worker housing, while some sites, like Tyoga, retain only foundations.
At these locations, surviving structures range from fully restored buildings to weathered ruins, each telling a unique story of Michigan’s boom-and-bust industrial heritage.
The abandoned Hiawatha Iron Ore Mine entrance stands as a haunting reminder of the region’s mining history, with its shaft still bearing the rusty stains of iron ore dust.
Life in a Michigan Company Town
Beyond the physical remnants of Michigan’s company towns lay complex social ecosystems where workers traded personal autonomy for economic security.
You’d find yourself living in company-owned housing, shopping at company stores, and following strict residency requirements that limited your freedom of movement. Your daily life would revolve around 10-hour workdays, with the company controlling everything from your groceries to your social activities.
Company life meant trading independence for stability, with every aspect – from housing to shopping to daily schedules – under corporate control.
As an immigrant or worker recruited from outside Michigan, you’d join a diverse workforce of Europeans and African Americans, all subject to the same paternalistic system.
While the company provided amenities like libraries and theaters, this apparent generosity came with strings attached. You couldn’t escape company control – it influenced your church attendance, dictated moral codes, and even determined your children’s education.
Historical Significance to the Automotive Industry
Although Michigan’s automotive legacy spans over a century, its roots trace back to 1897 when Ransom E. Olds founded his first motor vehicle company in Lansing.
You’ll find that Michigan’s automotive pioneers revolutionized manufacturing through groundbreaking industrial innovation. Olds created the first stationary assembly line, while Henry Ford later perfected the moving assembly line in 1913, dramatically reducing production time and costs.
Michigan’s natural resources, existing manufacturing base, and skilled workforce from the carriage industry created perfect conditions for automotive development.
Mining and Lumber Operations
In Print’s early days, you’d find miners extracting copper from ancient Native American mining pits while lumberjacks harvested the surrounding forests for essential mining infrastructure.
The mill operations relied on innovative compressed air technology and water-powered mechanisms to process the ore, while four main shafts at Central Mine employed 268 men by 1867.
Workers, primarily immigrants from Cornwall, Finland, and other European countries, established communities like Finn Town despite the harsh conditions, building hand-hewn log cabins that still stand today.
Early Resource Extraction
When Central Mining Company purchased over 300 acres from Northwestern Mining Company in 1854, they struck gold – or rather, copper. Following ancient Native American mining pits, they discovered rich veins of nearly pure native copper.
Within the first 40 feet of shaft excavation, they extracted over 40 tons of mass copper, yielding 83,000+ pounds in their first year – a rare profitable start for Michigan mines.
You’ll find the immigrant workforce played a vital role in this success story. Cornish miners, known as “Cousin Jacks,” led the early efforts, later joined by Finnish, Croatian, Austrian, Italian, Canadian, and Swedish workers.
These skilled immigrants established distinct cultural neighborhoods, including “Finn Town” with its hand-hewn log cabins, while battling harsh winters and isolation to keep copper mining operations running successfully until 1898.
Mill Equipment and Operations
Mining operations at Print relied heavily on innovative mill equipment that revolutionized copper extraction and processing. You’d find rock buckets and skips hauling ore through vertical shafts, while massive crushing and washing facilities separated valuable copper from surrounding rock.
The mill machinery’s operational efficiency was enhanced by hydraulic air compressors, like the Taylor model, which powered equipment without costly fuel.
At the riverside mills, you’d see an intricate workflow where compressed air locomotives transported ore for processing. Large shafts managed water drainage, vital for effective ore separation.
The mills’ infrastructure included ventilation systems and pressure release valves to prevent dangerous explosions. Nearby timber mills produced essential lumber for shaft construction and building supports, creating an integrated resource extraction system.
Worker Living Conditions
Life for workers in Print’s mining and lumber operations proved brutally harsh, with families enduring cramped company-owned housing equipped only with crude furniture and primitive stoves.
You’d face constant worker hardships, from hazardous underground mining conditions to perilous logging accidents. If you worked in the Victoria Mine, you’d confront a shocking 1-in-6 chance of death, with 25 men losing their lives during its operation.
Despite these dangers, community resilience emerged through tight-knit bonds forged in isolation. You’d rely on neighbors for support, especially vital when accidents struck.
If a worker died, their family faced immediate eviction from company housing after a brief grace period. While widows received modest stipends, most families struggled with poverty and limited access to education and healthcare.
Transportation Networks and Infrastructure
Throughout Michigan’s ghost town history, transportation networks proved critical to survival, yet many settlements struggled with significant infrastructure challenges.
You’ll find that early towns faced intimidating logistical challenges when trying to move resources and supplies. Without proper bridges, they’d resort to costly ferries, while dense forests and steep terrain made railroad construction nearly impossible in many areas.
Transportation infrastructure often determined a town’s fate. While some settlements attempted innovative solutions, like Victoria’s compressed air locomotive, many couldn’t overcome their isolation.
Despite creative attempts at survival like Victoria’s experimental locomotive, isolation dealt the final blow to many Michigan ghost towns.
Those lucky enough to secure railroad connections thrived initially, but others relied on inefficient alternatives like horse-drawn carts. Even promising port towns weren’t guaranteed success – environmental changes could literally bury harbors in sand, while inadequate inland connections left resources stranded and towns abandoned.
Cultural Impact on the Upper Peninsula
Just as transportation shaped the physical landscape, cultural forces transformed the Upper Peninsula’s social fabric during the mining era.
The region’s ghost towns stand as monuments to the rich cultural diversity brought by European immigrants, who established vibrant communities with their unique traditions and customs.
You’ll find this lasting cultural heritage preserved through:
- Distinct ethnic enclaves like “Finn Town,” where immigrant traditions shaped local life through churches, schools, and festivals
- Open-air museums and restored structures that showcase 19th-century architecture and mining-era living conditions
- Local folklore and storytelling that keeps immigrant histories alive through tales of hardship, resilience, and supernatural events
Today, these ghost towns continue inspiring artists, writers, and locals alike, reinforcing the UP’s proud multicultural identity rooted in its mining ancestry.
Photography and Tourism Opportunities
You’ll find exceptional photo opportunities at Print’s historic landmarks, including the weathered church, cemetery, and remnants of the old post office and creamery.
The site’s natural lighting is most dramatic during golden hour, while autumn’s colors and winter’s stark landscapes offer striking seasonal contrasts for both architectural and nature photography.
While formal guided tours aren’t available, you can create your own walking route between the Beaver Township Hall and surrounding ruins, keeping your camera ready for unexpected details in the overgrown pathways.
Best Photo Spots
Whether capturing misty morning shots or golden-hour architecture, Print’s ghost town remnants offer photographers a wealth of compelling subjects. For the best ghost town photography, you’ll find atmospheric opportunities at three prime locations:
- Volney’s historic church – Frame your shots during twilight hours when the remaining structure creates dramatic silhouettes against the sky.
- Beaver Township Hall – Capture the preserved municipal architecture during overcast days to emphasize architectural decay and textural details.
- Old creamery ruins – Explore the wooded area’s decaying elements during early morning fog for ethereal compositions.
Don’t miss shooting from the junction of 10 Mile & Dickinson Roads, where you can contrast rural landscapes with wooded backdrops.
Remember to respect private property boundaries while documenting these haunting historical sites.
Seasonal Lighting Tips
As evening descends on Print’s historic ruins, masterful lighting techniques can transform ordinary ghost town photography into haunting masterpieces.
You’ll capture the ghostly ambiance best during the “blue hour,” when twilight merges with your carefully placed LED string lights around doorframes and windows. Position warm white lights behind structures to cast dramatic shadows that highlight the town’s weathered textures.
For ideal atmospheric effects, set up your tripod during overcast conditions and use long exposures of 10-30 seconds. Keep your aperture between f/8 and f/11 to maintain sharp detail throughout your frame.
When light painting, use LED panels to selectively illuminate building features, but avoid spark-producing tools that could harm Print’s fragile wooden structures. Remember to use your camera’s timer or remote release to prevent vibration during these long exposures.
Guided Tour Options
Several tour options let you explore Print’s historic remnants, though most are self-guided experiences requiring advance planning.
Local tour operators combine visits to multiple ghost towns, focusing on photography and historical storytelling. You’ll need to check property boundaries and secure permissions before entering any abandoned structures.
When planning your ghost town history adventure, consider these guided exploration options:
- Self-guided drives through Volney’s remaining structures, including the church, cemetery, and township hall
- Photography tours during early morning or autumn, when fog and fall colors create dramatic scenes
- Historical interpretation talks about submerged towns like Kensington Village, offering unique perspectives on Michigan’s abandoned settlements
For the most authentic experience, pair up with specialized operators who can provide detailed historical context while ensuring safe, respectful access to these preserved sites.
Preservation Efforts and Current Status
While many Michigan ghost towns have secured formal preservation status, Print remains largely unmarked and unprotected today.
Unlike Fayette, which enjoys state park designation with 20 preserved buildings, Print hasn’t attracted organized preservation strategies or community involvement.
You’ll find minimal surviving infrastructure, similar to nearby Volney, which maintains only its church, cemetery, and township hall.
The site faces typical preservation challenges: environmental deterioration, unclear property rights, and limited local population to champion restoration efforts.
Without formal recognition or dedicated funding, Print’s physical remnants continue to decay.
If you’re interested in exploring the area, remember to follow respectful visitation protocols and obtain necessary permissions, as some structures may be on private property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Reported Ghost Sightings or Paranormal Activities in Print?
You won’t find documented ghost encounters or paranormal investigations here – records show no specific supernatural activity in Print, though nearby Michigan ghost towns have their share of reported hauntings.
What Happened to the Residents When the Town Was Abandoned?
Like thousands of mining town residents in the 1800s, you’d have seen Print’s population scatter to nearby active mines, return to their European homelands, or venture to Michigan’s growing cities seeking new opportunities.
Is Camping Allowed Near the Abandoned Structures in Print?
You’ll need to comply with camping regulations and shouldn’t camp near the structures due to safety concerns. Your best option is using designated campsites while exploring the ghost town during daylight hours.
Are Metal Detectors Permitted for Exploring the Print Town Site?
You’ll need explicit DNR permission for metal detecting here – it’s likely prohibited since Print’s a historic ghost town site. Don’t risk violating state regulations that protect archaeological resources.
Does Anyone Maintain or Protect the Remaining Structures From Vandalism?
You won’t find formal structure preservation or vandalism prevention at this site. Without dedicated SHPO involvement or local stewardship programs, remaining structures are largely unprotected from weather damage and occasional vandalism.
References
- https://mikelbclassen.com/pequaming-ghost-town-baraga-county-michigan/
- https://99wfmk.com/michigan-ghost-town-gallery/
- https://michpics.wordpress.com/category/ghost-town/
- https://photos.legendsofamerica.com/blog/2014/9/stonington-peninsula-ghost-town-fayette
- https://www.bigrapidsnews.com/news/article/michigan-ghost-towns-school-project-kept-orono-18684837.php
- http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2023-2024/michiganmanual/2023-MM-P0003-p0019.pdf
- https://phahpa.org/history-timeline/
- https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Travel/Mobility/Rail/Michigan-Railroad-History.pdf?rev=39dfdb4445e04a87916419fc13937dd2
- https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/publications/manual/2003-2004/2003-mm-0003-0019-Chron.pdf
- https://www.mclib.org/explore-topics/local-history/timeline-of-michigan-city/
