Iron Mountain is known as the gateway to the Upper Peninsula, from Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. Iron Mountain is located in Dickinson County. Iron Mountain offers everything from forests, rivers and streams, outdoor recreation for all four seasons, museums, Pine Mountain Ski Jump, shopping and much more. From recreation fun, you are able to do anything from swimming, boating, golfing, whitewater rafting, and much more. As of the 2000 census the population for Iron Mountain was 8,154.
In 1896 the Dickinson County Court House and jail complex was built and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Iron Mountain once was a mining city. In 1879 the land where Chapin Mine was formed was discovered. The entire area reflects the mining and logging heritage. Two men discovered the land, James John Hagerman and Dr. Nelson Powell Hulst. These two men leased the land from a gentleman in Niles, Michigan. His name was Henry Chapin, hence the name on the mine. The men began to sink shafts on the slope of Millie Hill. On July 5, 1879, Captain John Wicks and seven other men went into the forest looking for a place to set up camp. The company was ready to shut down the operation due to many unsuccessful shafts, but because Hagerman and Hulst had faith in the land they tried one more shaft. The shaft was 90 feet deep and there was a successful hit which was at the heart of the iron ore. The land was originally was very swampy and filled with trees. In order to get rid of all the water the Chapin Mine Pumping Engine was created.
Edwin Reynolds designed the steam engine in 1890. The estimated weight of the steam engine was about 725 tons. The engine ran slowly, the pumps had a capacity of over 300 gallons per stroke of the pistons. There were ten revolutions per minute, this meaning over 3,000 gallons of water poured out through a 28 inch pipe every minute. A total of 5,000,000 gallons of water could be removed from the mine every day. When the pump was built, the estimated cost was nearly $250,000. After a few years of successful operation the pumping facility was moved from the “D†shaft of the Chapin Mine. There were more than millions of the best grade ore found in the entire mine, which was discovered directly below the pump. This is why the pump was needed to be mover for excavation. The year on 1898 the pump was dismantled and was stored away until 1907 when it was reassembled on the “C†shaft of the Chapin Mine. The pump was in operation of the “C†shaft until 1932, when the Chapin Mine closed the doors for good. Two years later the pumping engine was offered to the Dickinson County for sightseers to visit. Sightseers were able to visit this pump for nearly 50 years and in 1982 a building was constructed around the pump by the Menominee Range Historical Foundation. To this day the Cornish Pumping Engine and Mining Museum exists on the site.
When you are planning your vacation, be sure to come when the Badwater Ski-Ters Water Ski Show is. The Ski Show takes place at Vagabond Park, which is just 5 miles away from Iron Mountain. You are able to go to the Ski Show for free, which is always a good thing. If you are a person who loves the snow you are able to enjoy the ski hills. You can try your abilities on all hills no matter if you are a beginner, or an expert at skiing or snowboarding. You can even take a snow mobile trip going through the groomed trails which connect to the 2,500 miles of trails going throughout the Upper Peninsula. Another show you should go to, if you like the cold weather, is the world’s finest ski jumpers. These skiers soar through the air to compete with other nations for honors. This show takes place in February at the Giant Pine Mountain Ski Jump.
If you are looking for a fabulous golf vacation, Iron Mountain is the place for you to plan your trip. The Iron Mountain area has a total of nine golf courses within a forty mile radius. There are some golf courses that are along the shores of the lakes or rivers, others courses are on the mountainsides with panoramic vistas. Most of the golf courses are carved out of mature pine or hardwood forests where wildlife sightings are par for the course.
There is an art show for all. It is an annual art show and usually happens in June. The Juried Art Show takes place at Lake Antoine Park, which is one the north side of Iron Mountain.
The Iron Mountain City Park is a place where you can do everything. It is a large wooded park where you can have a family or romantic picnic, you are able to grill out and there is a playground for the children to play. You can have a family game of soccer or jus watch your kids run and have fun in the field. If you are tennis player, you are in luck because there tennis courts for you to play or practice your game. If you are having a large group of people or a large event you are able to rent the Log Pavilion. While in the park you can have a good view of the wildlife while hiking. For the winter months the park has four loops of different trails which are groomed for cross-country skiing and there is a lighted sledding hill for fun as well. In a large enclosed area you are able to watch the deer. In the spring of 2008 there was a rare albino deer that was born there. While you are hiking, the trail also goes around the deer area for you to look at the deer.
Hotels in Iron Mountain, MI:
Pine Mountain Hotel & Resort
- www.pinemountainresort.com – (906) 774-2747
Timbers Motor Lodge
- www.thetimbers.com – (906) 774-7600
Comfort Inn Iron Mountain
- www.comfortinn.com – (906) 774-5505
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Iron Mountain
- www.hiexpress.com – (877) 863-4780
Super 8 Iron Mountain
- www.super8.com – (906) 774-3400
America’s Best Inn
- www.ironmountainmotel.net – (906) 776-8000
Days Inn – Iron Mountain
- www.daysinn.com – (906) 774-2181
Budget Host
- www.budgethost.com – (906) 774-6797
Country Inns & Suites Iron Mountain, MI
- www.countryinns.com – (906) 774-1900
Executive Inn Iron Mountain
- www.ironmountain.net
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