Caspian in Iron County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Iron County Homestead Complex
— Step into Iron County's Past —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 2022
1. Iron County Homestead Complex Marker
Follow this map and step into Iron County's past. Can you imagine your family living in one of these cabins?
Dates of construction and original locations of buildings are listed below:
1. The Soderquist Barn and Sheds, 1890, Bates Township
2. The Puotinen Barn, ca. 1900, Amasa Area
3. The Beechwood Cabin, ca. 1890, Beechwood Area
4. The Log Toilet, ca. 1935, South Brule Area
5. The Irvine Playhouse, ca. 1935, Iron River
6. The Koski Cabin, ca. 1913, South Brule Area
7. The Maki Sauna, ca. 1900, Beechwood Area
8. The Peterson Log Building, ca. 1890, Bates Area
Homesteaders began to arrive in the area in about 1877 when Iron County was still part of Marquette County. The greatest settlement, however, occurred from 1880 to 1895.
The buildings here were originally located throughout the county. They were dismantled by high school students beginning in the early 1970s. Local loggers transferred the logs to the Museum grounds, and students reassembled them for the Homestead Complex.
Erected by Iron County Historical and Museum Society; Western Upper Peninsula Heritage Trail; and Iron County Heritage Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 46° 4.108′ N, 88° 37.582′ 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 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. The Finnish Sauna (a few steps from this marker); The Sunset Lake Home (a few steps from this marker); Sharrard Logging Camp (a few steps from this marker); Brule Homestead Cabin (a few steps from this marker); The Johnson Homestead Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); The Beechwood Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); The Log Jammer (within shouting distance of this marker); The Puotinen Barn (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Caspian.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Iron County Homestead Complex
Also see . . . Historical Overview of Iron County.
Iron ore prospectors began to venture into the wilderness of the Iron County area in 1875. The initial strikes brought a wave of prospectors to both river valleys, where additional mines(Submitted on January 4, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)were rapidly developed. Iron ore mining quickly established itself as the primary industry leading to the development of the County. Eventually the County witnessed the opening of some 70 producing mines. Historically of secondary importance to the iron mining industry, but also a major contributor to the development of Iron County, is the lumbering industry. The influx of lumbermen seeking to harvest dense stands of white pine coincided with the commencement of mining activity in the area: logging first began in the County in 1875 along the banks of the Michigamme River.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 20222. Iron County Homestead Complex Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 5, 2022
3. Irvine Playhouse & Log Outhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 4, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on January 5, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
