Near Bessemer in Gogebic County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Gogebic Iron Range

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, July 18, 2011

1. Gogebic Iron Range Marker

Inscription. The Gogebic was the last of the three great iron ore fields opened in the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Beginning in 1848 with Dr. A. Randall, federal and state geologists had mapped the ore formations almost perfectly long before any ore was mined. One geologist, Raphael Pumpelly, on the basis of his studies in 1871, picked out lands for purchase which years later became the sites of the wealthy Newport and Geneva mines. The first mine to go into production was the Colby. In 1884 it shipped 1,022 tons of iron ore in railroad flat cars to Milwaukee. By 1890 more than thirty mines had shipped ore from this range. Many quickly ran out of good ore and had to close. Others took their places as richer ore bodies were found. Virtually all mining here has been underground, as attested by many shafts and “cave-ins”. The soft hematite ores common on this range usually have been sent in ore cars to Ashland and Escanaba, there to be loaded in ore boats and taken to America’s steel mills.

Erected 1958 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S0083.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 46° 28.837′ N, 90° 1.59′ W. Marker is near Bessemer, Michigan, in Gogebic County. It is on U.S. 2, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in a rest area on the north side of U.S. Hwy 2, 2 miles east of Bessemer. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bessemer MI 49911, 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 Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

Globally,

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it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

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

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Memory Lane Highway (a few steps from this marker); Newport Hill (approx. 5.1 miles away); Pabst Mine "H" Shaft (approx. 5½ miles away); The Truth Behind the Legend of Stormy Kromer (approx. 5.7 miles away); Curry House (approx. 6.6 miles away); Erwin Central School (approx. 6.6 miles away); Hiawatha (approx. 6.8 miles away); Commemorating the Iron Ore Industry (approx. 6.8 miles away).

More about this marker. This marker is numbered No. 89 on its face, but is listed as No. S0083 in the Michigan DNR database.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, July 18, 2011

2. Gogebic Iron Range Marker

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, July 18, 2011

3. Gogebic Iron Range Marker

Close up of map on marker.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, July 18, 2011

4. Gogebic Iron Range Marker

Looking east along US 2.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,268 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 25, 2011, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.