Northern Minnesota – In 1884, prospectors discovered one of the most widely-used minerals right in the heart of northeastern Minnesota’s Iron Range – iron ore.
Today, northern Minnesota’s dedicated and innovative iron mines responsibly mine that same iron ore, which is made into steel and used in the things we use every single day – like appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, and stoves), construction (heavy equipment and structural steel), transportation (cars, trucks, trains, and bikes), power generation (wind turbines), infrastructure (bridges, buildings, and pipes), and national defense (planes, tanks, and ships).
In fact, Minnesota iron is also used to make things we don’t use on a regular basis, like the ferris wheel at the Minnesota State Fair.
But did you know that these northern Minnesota locales are connected to Minnesota Iron mining, too?
1. Mesabi Trail
The 120-mile
Mesabi Trail traverses acres of reclaimed, former northern Minnesota iron mining land. The trail, dotted with pristine lakes, forests, and rolling hills, winds its way through bogs and offers views of operating
Minnesota Iron mines.
2. Lake Ore-Be-Gone
Many former Iron Range mine sites are now some of the Iron Range’s
fishing hot spots. Thanks to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, places like Lake Ore Be Gone, the St. James Pit, Kinney Pit, Mott Pit and Judson Pit (among others) are stocked with native fish like trout, northern, walleye and more. Several of these locales are also ideal for swimming, boating and even scuba diving.
3. Quarry at Giants Ridge
The
Quarry at Giants Ridge, one of Minnesota’s most acclaimed golf courses, is sculpted from a former mining quarry.
4. Minnesota Discovery Center
The
Minnesota Discovery Center explores the land, the people and the history of Minnesota Iron mines (past and present) through indoor and outdoor exhibits and events. It is also situated on former mining land and offers breathtaking views of mine pits.
5. Hibbing High School
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the
Hibbing High School, is known for its ornate auditorium (where Bob Dylan first performed for the public), and it was built by U.S. Steel years ago. Iron mining’s
impact on education goes well beyond this historic school however. Based on 2010 production levels, iron mining paid $152 million in state and local taxes in 2011. Of that, nearly $48 million supported local schools in the region. The University of Minnesota received nearly $16.3 million. Much of the remainder is funneled to communities where mining takes place.
6. Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area
The
Iron Range is home to the state’s only off-highway park for ATVs, OHVs and dirt bikes. The Iron Range OHV Park offers 36 miles of trails over and around reclaimed mining land featuring rocky hills, woods, mud and more.
7. Duluth Harbor
Tourists travel Duluth to see the ships that visit the harbor situated on Lake Superior. These ships are
made of steel and often transport iron ore, which is
made into steel. The harbor is also home to the Aerial Lift Bridge, one of the most iconic sites in northern Minnesota. The
bridge lifts to allow room for the ships and is also made of steel, which comes from Minnesota Iron.
8. Black Beach
For one of the most unique beaches in Minnesota, travel north of Beaver Bay to
Black Beach – a secluded beach of dark stones on Lake Superior’s North Shore. The beach’s color comes from the taconite tailings that were unloaded here for nearly 25 years. While taconite has not been left here for nearly 30 years, Black Beach, as its name entails, has a distinctive black color of taconite. Brilliant rust colored cliffs line the landscape here.
9. Split Rock Lighthouse
The
Split Rock Lighthouse, located along Lake Superior’s North Shore is another popular tourist landmark. The lighthouse has helped steer ships, often carrying
Minnesota Iron, away from the rocky cliffs that line Lake Superior’s North Shore.
10. Minnesota State Fair
The
Minnesota State Fair is dotted with
items made of Minnesota Iron and steel – the ferris wheel, gondola, agriculture equipment, vehicles, and more. Visit us there on MPR Day in Carousel Park on August 31st!
1. Mesabi Trail
2. Lake Ore-Be-Gone
3. The Quarry at Giants Ridge
4. Minnesota Discovery Center
5. Hibbing High School
6. Iron Range OHV Park
7. Duluth Harbor
8. Black Beach
9. Split Rock Lighthouse
10. Minnesota State Fair
