Iron Mountain in Dickinson County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Ardis Furnace
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 11, 2017
1. The Ardis Furnace Marker
south side of two sided marker
Inscription.
The Ardis Furnace. . Inventor John T. Jones of Iron Mountain recognized the economic potential of the low-grade iron ore of the Upper Peninsula. He developed a method for processing the ore and built an experimental furnace in 1908, named for his daughter Ardis, to test his new theory. The furnace, a huge metal tubed lined with firebrick, was placed on an incline and charged with ore. The whole device was rotated by electric motor, with iron suitable for mill use discharged from the lower end of the tube. The experiment was plagued with financial and mechanical problems, and by the close of World War I the Ardis was dismantled, Jones moving to other mining endeavors. Elements of the Jones method were later incorporated into successful processing operations for low-grade iron ores.
Inventor John T. Jones of Iron Mountain recognized the economic potential of the low-grade iron ore of the Upper Peninsula. He developed a method for processing the ore and built an experimental furnace in 1908, named for his daughter Ardis, to test his new theory. The furnace, a huge metal tubed lined with firebrick, was placed on an incline and charged with ore. The whole device was rotated by electric motor, with iron suitable for mill use discharged from the lower end of the tube. The experiment was plagued with financial and mechanical problems, and by the close of World War I the Ardis was dismantled, Jones moving to other mining endeavors. Elements of the Jones method were later incorporated into successful processing operations for low-grade iron ores.
Erected 1972 by Michigan Historical Commission, Department of State. (Marker Number L0148.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 45° 50.239′ N, 88° 3.158′ W. Marker is in Iron Mountain, Michigan, in Dickinson County. Marker can be reached from North Stephenson Avenue (U.S. 2) ¼ mile south of Lake
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Antione Road. Marker is located behind the Comfort Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1565 N Stephenson Ave, Iron Mountain MI 49801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2017, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2023, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 24, 2017, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.