Kelly Lake near Hibbing in Saint Louis County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Oliver Mining Co. Headquarters / Oliver Shop Laboratory
Photographed By Keith L, September 28, 2007
1. Oliver Mining Co. Headquarters / Oliver Shop Laboratory Marker
This building was the heart of the Oliver operation, the largest iron ore mining operation in United States history. The Superintendent of Mines and his staff made the day-to-day mining decisions here, and they were supported by a staff that handled clerical work, payroll, record keeping, hiring and firing, and other administrative functions.
Oliver Shop Laboratory
When the ore was mined, samples were crushed into fined particles and brought to this building. Chemists examined the ore, and determined its iron content from which the price of the ore was calculated and also how it would be processed to make steel. The samples were then put in containers and cataloged according to where the ore was mined and the percentage of iron. The containers were then stored in sample houses behind the laboratory.
(Caption) First row: sample houses and sample crushing building. Second row: oil house, garage and acid building.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 47° 26.76′ N, 92° 56.523′ W. Marker is near Hibbing, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. It is in Kelly Lake. Marker is at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Mine View/Penobscot
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Business District (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frank Hibbing (about 700 feet away); Schools (about 700 feet away); Carnegie Library (about 700 feet away); Oliver Club (about 700 feet away); Moving the Town (about 700 feet away); Finnish Workers Hall (about 700 feet away); Hull-Rust Mahoning Mine Pit Overlook (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hibbing.
Additional commentary.
1. Oliver Mining C°
I just discovered one of my ancestors was a miner at Oliver Mining Company.
Edward Aloys Hofkens emigrated from Nieuwkerken, East Flanders, Belgium to Dickinson, Norway, MI in 1913 to the U.S.A.
It is interesting to read something about the mining where he worked, this is our opportunity to learn more from our ancestors who emigrated to the States.
Thanks for the information!
Myriam Hofkens, Belgium.
— Submitted June 16, 2009, by Myriam Hofkens of Zwijndrecht, Antwerpen, Belgium.
2. Hull-Rust Mine
I recently
Photographed By Keith L, September 28, 2007
2. Oliver Mining Co. Headquarters / Oliver Shop Laboratory Marker
Editor's Note: Thank you for your interest in the Historical Marker database and for sharing some of your family's history related to this marker. If you have an electronic copy of the photograph of your grandfather with the train engine, please consider sharing it here on this page.
— Submitted September 5, 2010, by Judith A. Segura of Dallas, Oregon.
Additional keywords. North Hibbing; Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine
Photographed By Keith L, September 28, 2007
3. Nearby Open Pit Mine
Photographed By Keith L, September 28, 2007
4. Nearby Open Pit Mine
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 3,725 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3, 4. submitted on February 4, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
