By late fall 1934, the basic structure of the lodge building was complete.
Name Changed to Keweenaw Mountain Lodge
Name changed from Keweenaw Park and Golf Course to Keweenaw Mountain Lodge when it was operated by Superior Development
Civil Works Administration (CWA) Terminated
Most employment stopped March 31, 1934, but the program was not officially stopped until July 1934.
Civil Works Administration (CWA) Created
The CWA was created on November 9, 1933 by Executive Order No. 6420B, under the power granted to President Roosevelt by Title II of the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 [1]
Keweenaw Park and Golf Course Established Under a CWA Project
Written agreement between Keweenaw Copper and the Park Trustees, dated January 2, 1934. …with a contractual agreement to construct 9 holes of the golf course by July 1, 1934, and the construct a second 9 holes by July 1, 1935.
The Idea of the Keweenaw Park and Golf Course Conceived
Idea of a golf course and club house was conceived by Ocha Potter in autumn of 1933. The project was initially funded by the Civil Works Administration (CWA) program, which was one of the programs of the New Deal to help alleviate unemployment during the Great Depression.
Work Projects Administration (WPA) Terminated
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park
The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, 560 acres, designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association. The park is named Keweenaw Dark Sky Park.
Superior Development Corporation begins operating the lodge
Superior Development began operating the lodge in 1966. Many upgrades and changes were made. A full-sized swimming pool was installed, the original handcrafted lounge and dining room furniture was replaced, the lounge was remodeled. The dining room had previously had a sort of dress code, “jacked and tie after 5” that was done away with. Unfortunately, Superior Development was under capitalized and within a year went delinquent on it’s land contract.
Project Developers, Inc begin to operate the Lodge
Project Developers, Inc. began operating the lodge under a five-year land contract. Art Pontius became manager. He and his partner, William Greig tried to run the lodge year round and did not succeed. Project Developers failed to make a required $27,000 payment on January 1, 1971 and just after that Pontius and his partner walked away from the business. Literally. Without even bothering to lock the front door, they just up and left and the lodge ended up back into ownership under Keweenaw County. Since this was a land contract, the deed and the ownership was never transferred to the buyers.