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. 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. It can be reached from North Stephenson Avenue (U.S. 2) ¼ mile south of Lake Antione

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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.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Maria Santissima Immacolata di Lourdes / Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Italians in Dickinson County (approx. 1.2 miles away); James and Ida Goulette (approx. 1.2 miles away); Cornish Pump (approx. 1.2 miles away); Robert C. Hoyle (approx. 1.3 miles away); Carnegie Library (approx. 1.3 miles away); Dickinson County / Dickinson County Courthouse and Jail (approx. 1.6 miles away); Menominee Iron Range (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iron Mountain.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 11, 2017

2. The Ardis Furnace Marker

north side of two sided marker

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 11, 2017

3. The Ardis Furnace Marker

with some of the furnace ruins.

The Ardis Furnace image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 11, 2017

4. The Ardis Furnace

some more of the ruins

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 11, 2017

5. The Ardis Furnace

more ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2017, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 953 times since then and 75 times this year. Last updated on June 23, 2023, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 24, 2017, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.