Few town and gown landmarks are more iconic in the Copper Country than the Portage Lake Lift Bridge. Opened to traffic in 1959, the bridge spans over the Keweenaw Waterway connecting the cities of Hancock and Houghton. Thanks to the nearly 100-foot clearance below when fully raised, the lift bridge has welcomed a diverse spectrum of marine traffic, from paddle boarders and kayaks to salt boats, cruise ships, and freighters.
This image from November 1965 shows the Henry Steinbrenner (2), formerly known as the Verona, passing underneath. If you have traveled under the bridge or have a favorite vessel that did, share your story in the comments!
About the Archives
The Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections houses a wide variety of print, graphic and manuscript resources related to the history and culture the Copper Country and Michigan Technological University. If you would like to research in the archives, appointments are available from 1-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Appointments may be requested by calling (906) 487-2505 or by filling out the request form on the archives website. If you have any questions regarding archives services, collections, or remote research help, please reach out to (906) 487-2505 or e-mail us at copper@mtu.edu. The Michigan Tech Archives can also be found on Facebook (Michigan Tech Archives), Instagram (@michigantecharchives), and X (@mtuarchives).