Negaunee in Marquette County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Jackson Mine
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 14, 2014
1. Jackson Mine Marker
On this spot on Sept. 19, 1844, William A. Burt, a deputy government surveyor, was the first to discover the great Lake Superior iron ore deposits. Peculiar fluctuations in his magnetic compass led Burt to ask his men to seek the cause, and they soon returned with pieces of iron ore from out-croppings in the area. Next year prospectors from Jackson, Michigan, led by Philo M. Everett, arrived at the Carp River. Marji-Gesick, a Chippewa chief, guided members of the party in the summer to this region and showed them iron ore in the roots of a fallen pine tree. As a result of this discovery the Jackson Mining Company, of which Everett was a founder, began taking out ore here in 1847. Thus was born the Lake Superior area's great iron mining industry.Erected 1957 by Michigan Historical Commission. (Marker Number S2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1845.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Marquette Iron Range (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ishpeming: Historic Ski Center (approx. 3.1 miles away); Swedes on the Iron Range (approx. 3.8 miles away); Italians on the Marquette Iron Range (approx. 3.8 miles away); 1921 CR 510 Bridge (approx. 4.1 miles away); 2010 CR 510 Bridge (approx. 4.1 miles away); Bishop Baraga House (approx. 9.8 miles away); Northern Michigan University (approx. 10 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Negaunee.
Also see . . . Jackson Mine at Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 16, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 14, 2014
2. Jackson Mine Marker
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 14, 2014
3. Jackson Mine Pyramid Monument
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 14, 2014
4. Jackson Mine Pyramid Monument plaque
This monument was erected by the Jackson Iron Company in October 1904, to mark the first discovery of iron ore in the Lake Superior region. The exact spot is 300 feet northeasterly from this monument, to an iron post. The ore was found under the roots of a fallen pine tree, in June 1845, by Marji Gesick, a chief of the Chippewa tribe of Indians. The land was secured by a mining "permit" and the property subsequently developed by the Jackson Mining Company, organized July 23, 1845.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, August 14, 2014
5. Jackson Mine Pyramid Monument descriptive plaque
In July 1974, this monument was dismantled, moved and reconstructed at its present site by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company.
The original iron ore discovery is exactly 8.468 feet southwest of this site. The monument was presented as a gift to the citizens of Negaunee, "Irontown" USA.
The original iron ore discovery is exactly 8.468 feet southwest of this site. The monument was presented as a gift to the citizens of Negaunee, "Irontown" USA.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 876 times since then and 199 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
