Milford Mine Memorial Park near Wolford in Crow Wing County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Exploratory Drill Hole
| | Milford Mine Memorial Park | |
Photographed by McGhiever, June 27, 2025
1. Exploratory Drill Hole Marker
Drilling was used to explore the extent of the ore body, to determine both its depth and lateral position. Here, at the Milford Mine, exploratory drilling began in 1912 and continued through 1917. A map of the mine property shows 48 exploratory drill holes. The locations of most of these holes are in present-day Milford Lake and the adjoining wetlands. Inside the cedar fence you can see the casing of an exploratory drill hole labeled #551.
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Exploratory Drill Hole #551
Exploratory drilling was the first step in identifying the extent of ore deposits on the Cuyuna Iron Range.
Photo courtesy of the Cuyuna Iron Range Heritage Network.
Erected by Crow Wing County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 46° 32.108′ N, 93° 58.307′ W. Marker is near Wolford, Minnesota, in Crow Wing County. It is in Milford Mine Memorial Park. It can be reached from Milford Lake Drive. The marker is between trail intersections 2 and 4. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crosby
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Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. 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 Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Repair Shop (a few steps from this marker); The Milford Mine Disaster (within shouting distance of this marker); Milford Mine (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cuyuna Iron Range (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of the Forty One Miners (within shouting distance of this marker); The Mine Shaft (within shouting distance of this marker); Mine Shaft Entrance (within shouting distance of this marker); Milford Miners (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wolford.
Photographed by McGhiever, June 7, 2025
2. Exploratory Drill Hole Marker and fencing around the capped-off drill hole #551
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 48 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
