RUST HULL MINE, HIBBING TITLE: RANGE OF COLOR

The Hull Rust Mine is the world’s largest open pit iron ore mine currently operating. The pit is more than 3 miles long and 2 miles wide with a depth of 535 feet. The mine, located in the Mesabi Range, supplied as much as one-fourth of all the iron ore mined in the US during its peak production years of WWI and WWII.

The Minnesota Historical Society recorded information about the Hull rust Mine. Select the link above to hear storytellers Jack Croswell from the Hibbing Taconite Company and Judy Whitlock who was a mine worker discuss the largest iron ore open pit. 1 minute and 45 seconds.

GLEN MINE, CHISHOLM. TITLE: BENEATH THE SURFACE

Located in the center of the Mesabi Range in Chisholm, the Glen iron ore mine operated from 1902-1957. The Minnesota Discovery Center now sits on top of the Glen Mine property where there are abandoned mine shafts. The center was built to celebrate the immigrants who built the Iron Range region. Chisholm is also home to the Museum of Mining.

PIONEER MINE, ELY. TITLE: DISSECTING TIME

The Pioneer Mine was an underground iron mine in Ely that was in operation from 1889 to 1964 and is currently a museum. At one time, there were eleven mines that operated on the Vermillion range with five in the Ely Area.

SOUDAN MINE, TOWER. TITLE: DOUBLE VISION

The Soudan mine was an underground iron ore mine on the south shore of Lake Vermillion on the Vermillion Range. It is known as the oldest, deepest, and richest iron ore mine in Minnesota. It closed in 1962 and is now a National Historic Landmark and State Park.

CROFT MINE, CROSBY. TITLE: CARELESS INTRUSION

The Croft Mine was one of several underground mines located on the now inactive Cuyuna Range (southwest of the Mesabi Range).  The former mines are now a recreation area for hiking, biking, and fishing.

TITLE: INSTRUMENTS OF CHANGE