Minnesota Iron Ore Mining History

Mesabi Iron Range

Since the 1890s, the Mesabi has produced iron ore that boosted the national economy, contributed to the Allied victory in World War II, and cultivated a multiethnic regional culture in northeast Minnesota. The Mesabi Iron Range's history as a mining district begins well before ore was unearthed.

MPR: A timeline of Minnesota's Iron Range

Minnesota's Iron Range was formed some two billion years ago, and its rich iron ore deposits have been mined since the mid-1800s. Here are some notable events in the history of the area. ... The worst mining disaster in Minnesota takes place on the Cuyuna Range, as 41 miners drown in the Milford mine when nearby Lake Foley breaks through the ...

The Story Of Iron Mining In Minnesota Is Fascinating

The Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine, near Hibbing, is the largest open pit mine in Minnesota, and parts of the complex are still producing ore. In the early 1900s, assayers identified deposits of manganese-rich iron ore south of the Mesabi Range, between Mille …

Minnesota's Hill Annex Mine State Park is closed and the history …

While it existed, Hill Annex visitors learned about Minnesota's Iron Range history at two levels: Fossil hunts that told the story of the Iron Range in geologic time frames. Mine history tours focused on open pit iron mining in Minnesota and the miners who worked those mines from around 1910 through 1978. It was a fascinating site.

Minnesota's Iron Range: A Rich History of Iron Mining and …

Let's take a journey through the history of Minnesota's Iron Range and explore how it has evolved over time. The discovery of iron ore in Minnesota's Iron Range can be traced back to the late 1800s. In 1882, surveyor George H. Crosby stumbled upon iron ore deposits while exploring the region.

Mining in Minnesota | Minnesota DNR

In the past, iron ore was mined on three iron ranges - the Cuyuna, Mesabi and Vermilion - and also in Fillmore County in southeastern Minnesota. Today, only the Mesabi Range still has iron ore/taconite mining taking place. Clay is mined in the Minnesota River Valley. Clay is used in making bricks, porcelain, tiles, and medicines.

Take a Field Trip on the Iron Range

From west to east, the Range delivers unique ways to experience and learn about Minnesota and our nation's history. Soudan Underground Mine, Soudan. Minnesota's first iron ore mine is now a state park with preserved dry house, drill shop, crusher and engine house, plus an underground mine tour that takes visitors ½ mile into the Earth on a ...

Taconite

After many years of hard work, a process was developed to create taconite pellets. Taconite saved Minnesota's iron ore mining industry. Learn more about Taconite from Minnesota History Center. The Hull Rust Mahoning Mine in Hibbing, Minnesota. World's largest open pit iron ore mine; First ore shipments in 1895 (still being mined today, 114 ...

Vermilion Iron Range

The Vermilion Range, with its distinctive hard and high-grade iron ore deposits, looms large in the history of the mining industry in Minnesota. It was the first range to open (1884) and also the first to cease commercial mining operations (1967) due to changes in the steel-making process and the rise of cheaper-to-produce taconite on the nearby Mesabi Range.

A brief history of Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range

Iron Mining History

Minnesota has the largest deposits of iron ore in the United States, and northern Minnesota has been mining iron ore for 130 years (26 years after Minnesota became a state in 1858).

The Merritt Family and the Mesabi Iron Range

The discovery of iron ore on the Mesabi Range can hardly be credited to one person. In 1890, however, it was the family of Merritt that found merchantable ore and opened the Mesabi to industry. Within three years, they owned several mines and had built a railroad leading to immense ore docks in Duluth.

Explore Minnesota

iron silicates. Iron ore mining ﬁrst occurred in Minnesota on the Vermilion Iron Range in 1884 followed by the Mesabi Iron Range (1892), Cuyuna Range (1911) and the Fillmore County …

The Story Of Iron Mining In Minnesota Is Fascinating

The Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine, near Hibbing, is the largest open pit mine in Minnesota, and parts of the complex are still producing ore. In the early 1900s, assayers identified deposits of …

Iron Mining Process

From blasting to crushing to separation – more than 85% of the iron mined in the United States is mined in northeastern Minnesota to make our nation's steel. Blasting Taconite is a very hard rock.

Minnesota's Iron Range: A Rich History of Iron Mining and …

Let's take a journey through the history of Minnesota's Iron Range and explore how it has evolved over time. The discovery of iron ore in Minnesota's Iron Range can be …

A brief history of Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range

Since the 1890s, the Mesabi has produced iron ore that boosted the national economy, contributed to the Allied victory in World War II, and cultivated a multiethnic regional …

12 Rare Photos That Give A Glimpse of Minnesota's Mining History

Minnesota has a long history of mining, especially in the Iron Range. These photos will give you a glimpse of the industry that shaped the state. ... Iron ore was discovered in the area in the late 1800s. Underground mining was common, but open pit mines were in use as well. One of the largest, Mahoning-Hull-Rust, still operates today.

Explore Minnesota

iron silicates. Iron ore mining ﬁrst occurred in Minnesota on the Vermilion Iron Range in 1884 followed by the Mesabi Iron Range (1892), Cuyuna Range (1911) and the Fillmore County District (1941). The ﬁrst mines on the Mesabi exploited the so …

MPR: A timeline of Minnesota's Iron Range

Minnesota's Iron Range was formed some two billion years ago, and its rich iron ore deposits have been mined since the mid-1800s. Here are some notable events in the history of the area.

A brief history of Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range

Since the 1890s, the Mesabi has produced iron ore that boosted the national economy, contributed to the Allied victory in World War II, and cultivated a multiethnic regional culture in...

Minnesota Mining History

Minnesota Mining History, Mining History, History of Mining, Gold Mining, Iron Mining, Cuyuna Range, Mesabi Range, Vermilion Range, Mining, Miners, Miner's, ... Iron Ore Shipping. Soudan Underground Mine State Park. Hill Annex Mine …

Mesabi Iron Range

The Merritt Family and the Mesabi Iron Range

New MDL exhibit highlights the impact of iron mining on Minnesota

Answers to these questions can be found in the Minnesota Digital Library (MDL)'s latest online exhibit: "Ore on the Range: The Impact of Iron Mining on Minnesota." The exhibit explores the history of the state's three distinct iron ore districts: the Vermilion, Mesabi, and Cuyuna Ranges.

Mining on the Iron Range | Minnesota Digital Library

The post-war years into the 1960s and 1970s saw decreased demand and the closure of many mines. Today iron ore is still mined on the Iron Range but in a much-diminished capacity. Iron ore mining has had a lasting impact on Minnesota and helped to shape the state's industrial and cultural identity.

THE LAKE SUPERIOR IRON RANGES: GEOLOGY AND …

Currently the only source of domestic iron ore. In recent years, Lake Superior ores provided ... MINING HISTORY First ore discoveries and mines: Marquette Range, Michigan: Ore discovered 1844, first ore shipment 1852 ... Iron River, Michigan: discovered 1851, first mine 1881 Vermillion Range, Minnesota: discovered 1882, first mine 1884 Mesabi ...

Immigration to the Iron Range, 1880–1930

During the early twentieth century, the population of the Iron Range was among the most ethnically diverse in Minnesota. Tens of thousands of immigrants arrived from Finland, Austria-Hungary, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Canada, England, and …