Iron County, Michigan

Alpha Public Buildings Historic Complex Amasa Historic Business District Bethany Lutheran Church Bewabic Park Bowers, Joseph, House Byers, Isaac W., House Camp Gibbs Caspian Community Center Caspian Mine Headframe Central School Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railway Iron River Depot Chicagon Mine Road-Chicagon Creek Bridge Cloverland Hotel Cole, Frank W., House Cooks Run Trout Feeding Station Courthouse Residential Historic District Crystal Falls Dam and Power Plant Crystal Inn Diele, Ernest, House Dober Mining Company House Ericson, Rudolf, House Falls Location Historic District Finnish and Swedish Mercantile Association Building First National Bank Building Fisher, Nelson E., House-High Banks Forest Route 157-Tamarack River Bridge Frailing, Henry H., House Haggerty, Dennis J., House Hamilton, George, House Hane, Gottfried, House Hanna, M.A., Company Michigan District Superintendent's House Hanson, John W., House Harris, Joseph, House Harte, H.W., Block-Chrystal Falls Village Hall Hasselstrom, John, House Hiawatha Mine Number One Complex Holmes, Nels A., Farmstead House at 902 Selden Road Huse, Frank C., House Iron County Courthouse Iron County Fair Exhibition Hall Iron River Creamery Iron River Town Hall Italian Society Duke of Abruzzi Hall Jacobson, Jacob, House James Mine Historic District Joseph, Joseph, House Levine, Louis, House Lincoln School MacKinnon, Alexander, House MacKinnon, Donald C., House Mansfield Mine Location Historic District Mansfield Road-Michigamme River Bridge McLean, John S., House McQuown, Lafayette, House Moss, William, House Munro-M.A. Hanna Mining Company Office Building Murphy, Timothy, House Park City Historic District Parks, John H., Company-Wills Hardware Building Rau, Herman, House Ross, David M., House Royce, Steven, House Russell, William, House Scalcucci's Grocery Soderman, John, Farmhouse Spies Boardinghouse St. Mary's Assumption Catholic Church Stolberg, Charles, House Sturgeon, Robert H., House Swanson, John, House Triangle Ranch Headquarters Historic District Tully, William J., House US 2-Iron River Bridge Van Ornum's Addition Historic District Van Platen-Fox Lumber Camp Historic Complex Van Wagner, Harvey, House Wall-Seppanen House Windsor, Joseph, House

Iron County, MI, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, has a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century. The region was originally inhabited by the Ojibwa Native American tribe, who relied on the area's abundant natural resources for hunting and fishing.

The discovery of iron ore deposits in the region in the 1840s marked a significant turning point for Iron County. The first iron mine, named the Carp River Forge, was established in 1848, attracting miners from all over the country. This led to the rapid development of mining towns like Iron River, Crystal Falls, and Stambaugh, which became crucial centers for iron and timber industries.

In the late 1800s, Iron County experienced a boom in population and economic growth. The mining industry continued to expand, and numerous mines were established, including the famous Chapin Mine, which became one of the largest iron mines in the county. Supporting industries, such as lumbering and logging, also flourished, supplying the necessary resources for mine operations.

However, the prosperity of Iron County's mining and timber industries dwindled in the 20th century. The closure of many mines and the depletion of timber resources led to a decline in employment opportunities and population. Efforts were made to diversify the local economy, with tourism and recreational activities gaining significance. The county's beautiful natural landscapes, including lakes, forests, and waterfalls, attracted visitors seeking outdoor adventures.

Today, Iron County continues to cherish its mining heritage while embracing the opportunities brought by tourism and outdoor recreation. Historical sites and museums offer a glimpse into the county's past, and natural attractions invite visitors to explore the stunning wilderness of the region. Though impacted by economic shifts, Iron County retains a unique identity shaped by its iron mining legacy and the resilience of its community.
Brief timeline of the history of Iron County, Michigan:

  • 1600s: Native American tribes, including the Ojibwa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi, inhabit the area that will later become Iron County, MI.
  • 1830s: European settlers begin to arrive in the region and establish fur trading posts.
  • 1840s: The present-day Iron County is part of a larger territory known as Ontonagon County.
  • 1871: Iron County is officially established, with Crystal Falls as its county seat.
  • 1880s-1890s: The discovery of iron ore deposits leads to rapid growth and development in Iron County.
  • 1900s: Iron mining continues to be the primary industry in the county, attracting more settlers and immigrants to the area.
  • 1915: The Michigan-Wisconsin Power Company constructs hydroelectric dams on the Paint and Michigamme Rivers, providing electricity to Iron County.
  • 1930s: The Great Depression causes a decline in iron mining operations, leading to economic challenges for the county.
  • 1950s-1960s: Iron County experiences a resurgence in mining activities with the expansion of existing mines and the opening of new ones.
  • 1980s-1990s: The decline of the domestic steel industry results in a decrease in iron mining operations and a loss of jobs in Iron County.
  • 2000s: The county focuses on diversifying its economy by promoting tourism, recreation, and small-scale industries.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Iron County, Michigan.