According to the 2000 census, the population of Greenland was 870 people. There were a total of 378 households, and 246 families residing in the township. There was a wide range of ages throughout the town, here are what they were: 22.8% under 18, 4.5% 18-35, 24.8% 25-44, 30.1% 45-64, and 17.8% 65 and older.
The city was originally named “Grove Cityâ€, when it was founded in 1857. The city grew over the years to help house the 400 miners and their families. Most of the original homes have disappeared but there are some the still remain. The ones that remain have been remodeled so much that there is no sign that they are so old. When the city was first founded the major occupation was copper mining. Now the major occupation in and around Greenland is working in the surrounding forests, cutting and hauling softwood trees to the huge paper mill in Ontonagon.
Something to look forward to is the Ontonagon County Fair, which is in Greenland. The fair is usually in July of every year. During the winter months the park is used as an ice rink and a toboggan run. Starting Memorial Day weekend and going to Labor Day weekend, the fairgrounds is also used as a race track for stock cars. The races are every other Friday so be sure to go to at least one race. The race track is one the few clay tracks in the Upper Peninsula. Spectators from all over come to watch the races.
There is a colorful bar in Greenland where the locals congregate. The bar is called “Beer Belly Bob’s†and the cheeseburgers are highly recommended if you are in need of something to eat.
A tourist place that is well needed to stop in and checkout is the Adventure Mine. This mine was once owned by John and Winnie Neph, who retired so the mined closed. The new owners, who opened the mine back up, are Matthew and Victoria Portfleet. Both Matthew and Victoria are Michigan Tech grads. Matthew enjoyed exploring Copper Country’s old mine sites so much that he switched his degree to mining engineering. Victoria is a survey engineer by training. They have tours that are underground and at the surface of the mines. For $50.00, and three hours of fun you are able you rappelling down a mine shaft with a rope and harness. Before this you will have a 30 minute training and safety instruction class. This is just part of the underground tour. For tours at the surface of the mine, you will have two of them to choose from. Both of these short tours are given daily during open hours. The first tour is the 45-minutes and called the Trammer’s Underground Tour. This tour is $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children. It is a mostly level route into the mine. With this tour, a vehicle, with a big step up, takes the visitors to the entrance. The path inside the mine involves some ground that is uneven, and an area where a little stooping is required. When you are finally in the mine, you will be able to see several mine stopes by using candle light. Stopes are room-like excavated mining areas. Another thing you will be able to see are bats. But don’t be afraid, the bats rarely fly around and if they are their teeth cannot penetrate human skin. The other surface tour you can take is $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children, as well and 45-minutes long. On this tour there is easy walking, and passes several shafts, a cold air shaft’s “ice cave†and pit mines made by prehistoric miners. If you are interested in doing both of the 45-minute tours you will get a discount. The total for an adult would be $15 and $9 for a child. No matter what tour you decide to do, make sure you where closed-toe walking shoes.
Here is a little history on the Adventure Mine. The Adventure mine was first explored in 1850. The Euro-American’s followed the traces of the prehistoric miners who started mining surface outcrops of copper. The miners built fires to heat surface rock and then threw water on it and beat the rock with hammers to release the copper. You are able to see where this took place in the surface tours. In 1850 the first Adventure Mine investors were among the lucky few who had struck it rich in the Upper Peninsula copper at the Cliff Mine near Eagle River. Going into the 1900’s the mining officials were still focused on getting the big pieces of copper and tried to impress the investors with the state-of-the-art equipment and substantial buildings.
Doing anything from mining tours to the fair to just having a getaway Greenland is a place that you should visit. There is a lot of history in the town and there is always something to do. Don’t forget to get your cheeseburger from “Beer Belly Bob’sâ€.
Hotels in or around Greenland, MI:
Adventure Motel & Cafe
1372 13th St, Mass City
(906) 883-3520
bilers.com
www.bilers.com
5686 Rousseau Rd, Mass City
(906) 883-3456
Parkview Lodge & Grill
www.parkviewtwinlakes.com
32423 State Highway M26, Toivola
(906) 288-3288