Haytown Mine

Haytown Mine is a 19th-century copper-mine site near Todd Harbor, known for a pit and the poor rock left from mining. The surface remains are modest, so I’d make it a short side trip if you’re already exploring the area and like Isle Royale’s mining story. This is a small remnant, not a large preserved complex.

Haytown and Minong Mine are separate sites. Trail information points to a Minong Mine spur near the start of the McCargoe Cove–Todd Harbor section and lists Haytown nearby, but doesn’t clearly identify a separate Haytown approach. A short, easy half-mile return from Todd Harbor Campground has been reported, though current route marking wasn’t confirmed. The wider section is about 6.7 miles and primitive, with rocks, roots, steep inclines and slick rock when wet. Check trail signs before taking a spur; don’t assume the Minong Mine spur reaches Haytown.

Work began in 1847: nine men worked a shore-side shaft while two log cabins and a blacksmith shop supported the operation. By 1849 the company had found profitable copper veins and later employed 25 people. An inland exploration reached 225 feet before the pumps couldn’t handle the water. 1853 was the last year of recorded production; the remote, exposed location likely helped bring the effort to an end.