Mandan
Five Years and Gone
State: Michigan
County: Ontonagon County
Founded: 1906
Abandoned: 1911
Peak Population: 400
Mandan was built to serve copper mines that never produced as expected. For five brief years, the town had hotels, saloons, and optimistic residents. When the mines failed, everyone left. Today, only foundations remain hidden in the forest.
False Promise
Mining companies promoted Mandan as the next copper bonanza. Investors built a town before the mines proved profitable.
Rapid Collapse
When the ore proved poor quality, investment dried up. The town was abandoned almost as quickly as it was built.
Timeline
- 1906 - Founded Town built for expected copper boom
- 1908 - Peak Brief prosperity
- 1911 - Abandoned Mines failed, town emptied
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Summer
Difficulty: Difficult - hiking and bushwhacking
Time Needed: 2 hours
Quick Facts
- Existed for only 5 years
- Now covered by forest
- Foundation stones still visible
Location
Address: Near Ontonagon, Michigan
Coordinates: 46.9167, -89.3667