The Copper Range Company was a major copper-mining company in the Copper Country of Michigan, United States. It began as the Copper Range Company in the late 19th century as a holding company specializing in shares in the copper mines south of Houghton, Michigan. The company was bought by Louisiana Land and Exploration in 1977.
The Copper Range Company is a mining and smelting company that was founded in the late 19th century in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The company was established in 1864 and was the first major copper mining operation in the United States. The company was founded by a group of investors who were interested in exploring the copper-rich region of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The company was initially called the Copper Range Mining and Smelting Company, and it quickly became one of the largest copper producers in the United States.
The company mined and smelted copper ore from the Upper Peninsula and shipped it to smelters in the eastern United States. The company also built a large smelter in the area to refine the ore. Copper Range Company was well known for its high-grade copper, which was sought after by many industries. The company was also known for its innovative mining techniques, including the use of the first steam-powered hoist in the United States.
The company built several towns in the area to house its workers, including Copper Range, Michigan, which was founded in 1867. The company also built a railroad to transport the copper ore from the mines to the smelter. Copper Range Company was a major employer in the area and was instrumental in the development of the Upper Peninsula.
The company operated until the early 20th century, when copper prices dropped and the company was forced to close. The company's legacy is still seen in the area, with the towns it founded still thriving and the railroad it built still in use. The Copper Range Company was an important part of the history of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and its impact can still be seen today.