Industry

Industry. Historic Houghton. Houghton wasn't merely a port for the pass-through of raw materials and wholesale goods. Throughout its history, the city's central waterfront location was attractive to manufacturing and industrial operations. As with the larger Keweenaw Peninsula, much of Houghton's industry related to the production of copper., The city's position in the local copper industry improved with the development of the Copper Range Company mines south of Houghton in the late 1890s. Flat land along Houghton's western waterfront provided a perfect location for the company's railroad and dock facilities. Although its primary business focused on the shipment of copper ores and concentrates, the Copper Range Railroad also operated a successful public passenger service. The company's passenger depot included deep eaves to protect passengers from inclement weather. These docks witnessed the transfer of millions of pounds of copper ingot produced at the company's nearby smelting works., Several ancillary industries supported the vibrant copper industry. The Carroll foundry operated on the city's eastern waterfront, producing cast iron and brass fixtures, as well as engines, pumps, and other types of machinery. Adjacent to it, the Pryor Lumber yards produced construction-grade lumber and larger timber supports for the area's underground mines. Other service industries included the Croze dry dock, which repaired and constructed lake vessels, and the Portage Lake Mining Gazette that produced the city's first newspaper and provided other binding and printing work for area businesses., The Peninsula Electric Light and Power Company completed construction of an impressive new power generation plant in 1890, confirming Houghton's leading role in the development of regional utility industries. The city welcomed the area's first telegraph wires in 1866 and James Dee introduced the first commercial telephone lines in 1878., Houghton's factories produced everything from wagons and harnesses to soap and cigars. There was also a wide range of consumable foods and beverages: the Haas Brewing Company once graced Shelden Avenue, while the Armour meat factory created a variety of sausages and meat products. Desserts were provided by the city's fine collection of bakers, confectioners and candy makers., These industrial operations required a steady work force and Houghton soon developed a large and varied pool of laborers. In turn, the industrial work force required adequate housing and support, thereby encouraging more service and consumer manufacturing industries. Although the decline of Michigan copper mining ultimately undercut intensive manufacturing and its related industries, Houghton continues to attract smaller-scale businesses which utilize a skilled local work force.