Designated as an International Dark Sky Park
June 21, 2022
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.
Read moreMotel Addition
May 1, 1984
U.P. Engineers and Architects designed the motel addition. Construction began with Arend Builders Inc., and was constructed adjacent to what had been the swimming pool that was built back in the 60’s by Superior Development. During construction of that pool, the soil was not compacted properly. As a result, during frost heaving one winter, the bottom of the pool cracked and wouldn’t hold water. Efforts to repair it failed, and it was filled in with mine rock, leveled, and paved to become a parking area. The motels completion brought the lodges occupancy to a total of 41 rental units that could accommodate more than 100 guests. Questions: Was cabin 22 also built at the same time as the motel?
Read moreProject Developers, Inc begin to operate the Lodge
March 24, 1970
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.
Read moreKeweenaw County Resumes Operations
May 13, 1968
On May 13, 1968 Superior Development was found in default, and Circuit Judge Stephen D. Condon ruled that they were to forfeit all rights, title, and interest in the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge premises and Keweenaw County resumed ownership. They needed a monetary advance, and had to resolve several liens before opening for the 1968 season. The lodge showed a $10, 648 loss that season.
Read moreName Changed to Keweenaw Mountain Lodge
January 1, 1966
Name changed from Keweenaw Park and Golf Course to Keweenaw Mountain Lodge when it was operated by Superior Development
Read moreSuperior Development Corporation begins operating the lodge
January 1, 1966
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.
Read moreRock Wall Constructed
June 1, 1940
The rock wall along the US 41 perimeter of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge was built circa 1940. These walls are “piered” walls, which are stone walls constructed from cut and fitted fieldstone. They are topped with a “concrete wash”. The walls were probably constructed by Keweenaw County Road Commission employees. They are walls that are also on Brockway Mountain Drive, and similar to those that were constructed at Glacier National Park in Montana. (Source: The Brockway Mountain Drive Story, Paul LaVanaway)
Read moreShantytown (Employee Housing) Constructed
November 1, 1936
Start of construction of employee housing, “Shantytown”, a WPA financed project. A collection of thirteen 8’x10′ structures, located to the east of the tennis court.
Read moreThe Lodge Building (Clubhouse) Officially Opens
June 23, 1935
2,000 people in 427 cars traveled to what was then known as the Keweenaw Park Resort for the opening of the golf course and lodge. A quote from the speech by Keweenaw County Relief Administrator U.V. Tervo…”A monument to what could be done. To the people of Keweenaw County, it is the dawn of a new industry- the tourist industry- and provides a wonderful opportunity for the future.”
Read moreBasic Structure of the Lodge Building Completed
October 31, 1934
By last fall 1934, the basic structure of the lodge building was complete.
Read moreCivil Works Administration (CWA) Terminated
March 31, 1934
Most employment stopped March 31, 1934, but the program was not officially stopped until July 1934.
Read moreKeweenaw Park and Golf Course Established Under a CWA Project
January 2, 1934
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.
Read moreCivil Works Administration (CWA) Created
November 9, 1933
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]
Read moreWork on the Keweenaw Park and Golf Course Begins
November 6, 1933
With a crew of 124, work began on clearing the grounds and constructing a gravel entrance road. An estimated 18,700 trees were cut and 16, 500 stumps were blasted. 3,000 cords of wood were saved and distributed to local families on relief to be used for fuel. Of all the clearing and work done, only one team of horses was used with the majority of the work being done by hand.
Read moreThe Idea of the Keweenaw Park and Golf Course Conceived by Ocha Potter
September 1, 1933
Idea conceived by Ocha Potter in autumn of 1933, under a Civil Works Administration (CWA) project. Date ???? ….ideas was probably conceived before the CWA was started, and then when the CWA was started, the county / Ocha Potter submitted it as a project for the CWA in November??
Read moreView historical timeline (like Pebble Beach’s historical timeline)
