Hoyt Lakes in Saint Louis County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Diamond Drill Hole in the State of Minnesota

Photographed by McGhiever, July 28, 2017

1. Marker

Inscription. Approximately 1,400 feet from this point, the first diamond drill hole in the state of Minnesota was sunk in 1890. E. J. Longyear began drilling June 3, 1890 and completed operations on the hole December 9, 1890. Reaching a depth of 1293 feet, during that time Longyear and his new bride honeymooned in a two-room frame building approximately 150 feet from the drill rig, using one half as living quarters and the other half as a business office.

From the beginning emerged the world-wide drilling corporation known as the Longyear Company.

This site is a designated national and state historic site. All local, state and federal statutes for the protection of this site now apply.

Erected 1976 by Iron Range Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1890.

Location. 47° 33.25′ N, 92° 7.192′ W. Marker is in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. It is on County Road 666, on the right when traveling north. In parking pullout on northeast side of road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6500 County Road 666, Hoyt Lakes MN 55750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region and in the Iron Range. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, Rupert’s Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Edmund J. Longyear (here, next

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to this marker); This Piece of Rock (a few steps from this marker); Longyear Drill Site (approx. ¼ mile away); Embarrass Co-op (approx. 8.1 miles away); Alma Norha Playhouse (approx. 8.3 miles away); Nelimark Sauna (approx. 8.3 miles away); Apostolic Lutheran Church (approx. 8.7 miles away); Hanka Homestead (approx. 10.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hoyt Lakes.

Marker shelter image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, July 28, 2017

2. Marker shelter

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2017, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 416 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2017, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.