102 h'l h'AL MICllldAX 



in more accessible parts of the United States and 

 that market conditions irrespective of availability 

 are frequently difficult to meet. The formation ex- 

 tends westward to the head of Keweenaw Bay and 

 even beyond it, and hopes are still entertained tliat, 

 with more scientific handling of the waste product, 

 commercial development may again be secured. Un- 

 doubtedly the slate formations lie close to water 

 transportation on Lake Superior and, with other con- 

 ditions equally favoral)le. the industry may revive. 

 The site is one of great natural charm, and has at- 

 tracted the tourist and hunter since the quarries 

 were closed some thirty years ago. Although dis- 

 tant from the railroad, agriculture has attained con- 

 siderable development in the vicinity, and lumbering 

 is active. The old workings are now in a decayed 

 condition, the pits water-filled and the buildings aged 

 and weather-Avorn. 



The glacial drift of both peninsulas abounds in 

 bowlders suitable for building purposes, and in some 

 places the surface of the land was thickly strewn 

 with them, ocasionally of great size. Before the use 

 of concrete became common early in the present 

 century, foundations, walls and even pavements were 

 composed of this rough bowlder material. There 

 existed also in both peninsulas outcrops of bed-rock, 

 chiefly sandstone and limestone, likewise available 

 through quarrying for construction purposes. In 

 the Lower Peninsula such formations and quarries 

 were operated in Ionia, Kent, Eaton, Calhoun, Hills- 

 dale, Jackson, Shiawassee, Iosco, Huron, Barry and 



