Caspian in Iron County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Chicago & Northwestern Railway
The Caspian Mine
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 2022
1. Chicago & Northwestern Railway Marker
This ore car is dedicated to the Chicago Northwestern Railway and to the railroad men and miners who produced the ore to be hauled. The rails were extended to Iron River and Crystal Falls in 1882. In the first year 29,115 tons of ore were shipped.
When ore shipping ceased in 1979, the total tonnage was 208,345,852.
The Caspian Mine opened in 1903. This headframe, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was erected in 1921.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.
Location. 46° 4.044′ N, 88° 37.545′ W. Marker is in Caspian, Michigan, in Iron County. Marker can be reached from Brady Avenue, 0.2 miles north of Caspian Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located beside the Caspian Mine headframe on the Iron County Historical Museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Brady Avenue, Caspian MI 49915, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Snow Rollers 1900's (a few steps from this marker); Narrow Gauge Underground Electric Train (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder House (within shouting distance of this marker); Diamond Drill (within shouting distance of this
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Caspian Iron Mine Complex
Also see . . .
1. Chicago & North Western Railway Company.
The Chicago & North Western railway was one of the Upper Peninsula's original railroad systems. It began in Michigan in 1864 when it purchased the construction railroad Peninsula Railroad from Escanaba to Ishpeming. The C&NW had a significant impact on the center and western part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Originally built to haul iron ore from Negaunee south to Escanaba for loading on lake freighters, the C&NW built a number of branches to serve iron mines on all of the western U.P. iron ranges.(Submitted on January 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Caspian Mine Headframe, Iron County MRA, National Register of Historic Places #83003672.
The Caspian Mine opened in 1903, the second(Submitted on January 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)of three mines opened by the Verona Mining Company. Verona later sold the mine to the Pickands-Mather Company. The original headframe was wooden; the current structure was built as a replacement in 1920. The headframe is a 106-foot-high steel-framed structure clad in corrugated steel siding. It is about 25 feet by 10 feet at the base and tapers to about 10 feet by 10 feet at the top. The stanchions constructed to support steel cables leading from the hoisthouse to the headframe are located nearby.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 20222. Chicago & Northwestern Railway Marker(Caspian Mine headframe & ore car visible in background) This headframe is significant as the oldest remaining headframe in Iron County. The Caspian Mine was the most productive mine in the county from its opening in 1903 until its closing in 1937. Pickands-Mather Company, the operator of the Caspian, eventually deeded the headframe, engine house, and the surrounding 5.5 acres to the Iron County Historical and Museum Society. The area now serves as the Iron County Historical Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
