Superior in Douglas County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Burlington Northern Ore Docks
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2013
1. Burlington Northern Ore Docks Marker
These docks, the largest in the world, consist of three structures of concrete and steel. The longest dock is 2244 feet long, 80 feet high, and contains 374 individual pockets which can hold 100,000 long tons of ore, or 7 average trains of 205 cars each. Ore is hauled 100 miles from Minnesota mines.
The first dock was built of timber in 1892. The first cargo consisting of 2073 long tons of ore was shipped in Whaleback Barge No. 102 on November 11, 1892. Over one billion tons of ore have been shipped through these docks, the largest year’s shipment being 32.3 million tons in 1953.
In 1967 a conveyor belt system was installed for moving taconite pellets from trains to dock pockets. In the early years as many as 400-500 men worked on the docks; with modern equipment and reduced volume of ore, less than 140 men are now required.
Erected 1973 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 192.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features
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Location. 46° 41.649′ N, 92° 1.73′ W. Marker is in Superior, Wisconsin, in Douglas County. Marker is on East 1st Street, ¼ mile west of 37th Avenue East, on the right when traveling west. The marker is at the end of East 1st Street in cul-de-sac area. It is located north of Allouez Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Superior WI 54880, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Superior Entry (approx. 1.1 miles away); Burial Ground of the Fond du Lac Band (approx. 1.1 miles away); Superior Entry South Breakwater Light (approx. 1.2 miles away); Old Stockade Site (approx. 1.7 miles away); Duluth-Superior Harbor (approx. 1.7 miles away); Lake Superior (approx. 2.1 miles away); Northwest Portal of Wisconsin (approx. 2½ miles away); S.S. Meteor (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Superior.
Regarding Burlington Northern Ore Docks. The trees have grown so high to the east as to obscure the view of the eastern
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2013
2. Burlington Northern Ore Docks Marker
The docks are to the east beyond the trees. Some of the structure can be seen in the center of the picture.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, September 12, 2013
3. Burlington Northern Ore Docks Marker
Ore dock to the west of marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2013, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,139 times since then and 766 times this year. Last updated on March 27, 2020, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2013, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
