Republic Open Pit Iron Mine
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| The big open pit mine in 2002, the peaceful view revealing little idea of furious activity over 600 feet below, when 2,700,000 tons of ore were conveyed to the surface each year. |
Excellent detailed illustrated panels interpret Republic's mining history. line the fenced walkway to the observation stand that looks down on this open-pit mine, 600 feet deep, covering 250 acres—four miles in length. The pit incorporates the original 1871 mine with an underground shaft almost 3,000-feet long. Subsequently bought by Cleveland-Cliffs, the mine was worked until 1926, the only profitable mining venture in this Michigamme region.
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| Andy Larsen |
| The Republic Mine in 1992, over a decade after Cleveland-Cliff stopped mining, but before all the equipment had been removed. |
In the 1950s Cliffs reopened mining operations here, this time creating a huge open pit mine like the Tilden Mine south of Negaunee.
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| A big chunk of hematite next to the path to the viewing stand of the Republic Mine. It's a type of iron oxide that is crushed and processed to create pure iron. |
As the pit expanded, almost 100 Republic homes were moved a little ways south or demolished. By the time the pit was over 600 feet deep, a giant crusher was erected on the floor of the pit, from which a 2,800-foot conveyor sent the ore up to a big processing plant overlooking the pit.
The pit mine closed in 1981, and it gradually filled with water. With the machinery long ago removed, it's hard from today's viewing stand for a newcomer to imagine that the water-filled valley before them was once a major producer of iron ore, shipping by railroad 2.7 million tons of ore pellets a year to the docks at Marquette and Escanaba.
From M-95, take the exit next to the clearly visible beach and head up the hill. Turn right at the T. Wheelchair access: limited. Walkway is wide, but slope is considerable. Stairs to viewing stand.
Return to Republic
POINTS OF INTEREST
Pascoe House. An unaltered 1880s house is a museum with changing exhibits, an illustrated timeline of Republic, Witch Lake, and Black River history, and recreated rooms from 1900 ... more
Leif Ericson Roadside Park. A beautiful spot to stop on a summer day ... more
Witbeck Rapids and Paddling the Michigamme. A pretty, easy to reach stretch of whitewater, a large and complex reservoir with wilderness shores and many sand beaches, and varied paddling and good fishing without much pressure ... more
Republic Township Hall exhibit. Photos and text about the area's Finnish homesteaders, famously resourceful and hardy ... more
Woodworks Unlimited/Quiet Sports Outfitters. Partly an informal hardware store & workshop museum, partly a showroom for striking rustic furniture, partly a kayak and canoe dealer that also offers paddling safety lessons and guided trips on the Michigamme River system ... more
Antiques of Republic. Lots of homey and serviceable furniture, cookware, waffle irons and other small applicances, and dishes, largely from the 1930s through the 1950s in the former Arola Bottling Works ... more
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here
