Ironwood in Gogebic County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Italians on the Gogebic Iron Range

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 30, 2022

1. Italians on the Gogebic Iron Range Marker

Inscription. The first iron mining was done on the Gogebic Range in 1884 and Italian miners soon followed first settling in neighboring Hurley, WI. The majority of Italians were from: Trentino, Piedmont, Venetia, Abruzzo-Molise, Calabria, and Sicily. By 1910 Italians comprised over 19% of the foreign-born population on the range and ranked second only to the Finns. Some of the Italian immigrants became independent businessmen. Many opened taverns which became ethnic social centers. Others operated bakeries, groceries, fruit and candy shops, while others were contractors, blacksmiths, travel and insurance agents. Women operated boarding houses and shops. Catholic Churches between Wakefield, MI and Pence, WI ministered to large Italian congregations. An Italian-language newspaper, LA NOSTRA TERRA (Our Land) began publishing from Hurley in 1913. Between 1898 and 1968 Italian communities were served by some thirty-eight mutual beneficial societies. The descendants of these hardy pioneers continue to play important roles in local communities.

Erected 2007 by The Paisano Clubs of the Upper Peninsula.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 46° 27.312′ N, 90° 10.24′ W. Marker is in Ironwood, Michigan, in Gogebic County. It can be reached from North Lowell Street. Located at the old train depot, Ironwood Historical Society. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 North Lowell Street, Ironwood MI 49938, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Upper Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ironwood City Hall (here, next to this marker); Curry House (approx. half a mile away); Miners Memorial Heritage Park (approx. half a mile away); Commemorating the Iron Ore Industry (approx.

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, June 30, 2022

2. Italians on the Gogebic Iron Range Marker

Marker is mounted to the wall under the canopy.

half a mile away); Hiawatha (approx. 0.6 miles away); Worldwide Daffodil Project (approx. ¾ mile away in Wisconsin); Leon Lawrence Lewis / The Jewish Community of the Gogebic Range (approx. ¾ mile away in Wisconsin); Penokee Iron Range Trail – Historic Iron County Courthouse (approx. 0.8 miles away in Wisconsin). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ironwood.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,108 times since then and 153 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.