Two Harbors in Lake County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Ore Taken From A Minnesota Mine

1884

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2014

1. First Ore Taken From A Minnesota Mine Marker

Inscription.

Sample weighs 700 lbs.
Contains 70% iron
Presented by
Thomas Owens

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 47° 1.128′ N, 91° 40.234′ W. Marker is in Two Harbors, Minnesota, in Lake County. It can be reached from South Avenue. Marker and ore are at the Lake County Historical Society Depot Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 520 South Avenue, Two Harbors MN 55616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region,

in the Iron Range,

and in the North Shore.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on Lake Superior’s North Shore,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

Rupert’s 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: A different marker also named First Ore Taken From A Minnesota Mine (here, next to this marker); Ore Car #251, 1884 & Bobber Caboose #22 (#52), 1893 (here, next to this marker); Duluth and Iron Range Railroad Locomotive #3 (a few steps from this marker); The Two Harbors Ore Docks (a few steps from this marker); Hand Car, Velocipede, Sleigh, Station Wagon (a few steps from this marker); Duluth and Iron Range Depot (a few steps from this marker); Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Yellowstone Mallet #229 (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Paul H. Van Hoven Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Two Harbors.

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Another marker is no longer nearby. D&IR Railroad Company Sleigh (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Lake County Historical Society Depot Museum. (Submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Minnesota Mining History. (Submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. History of Mining in Minnesota. (Submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. Thomas Owens Manuscripts Description. (Submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

First Ore Taken From A Minnesota Mine and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2014

2. First Ore Taken From A Minnesota Mine and Marker

In foreground

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 483 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.