Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum
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Website: cliffsshaftminemuseum.com
CLIFFS SHAFT MARQUETTE RANGE IRON MINING HERITAGE THEME PARK
Located in Ishpeming, Michigan at the corner of Euclid Street & Lakeshore Drive, less than 1/2 mile south of US 41. (Look for the Shaft Houses.)
Open mid-May to mid-September, Tuesday thru Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Nominal admission.
On September 17, 1998, after perservering for many years, the Marquette Range Iron Mining Heritage Theme Park, Inc. (MRIMHTP) took possession of the Historical Cliffs Shaft Mine. The mine property and relics, which remain from a bygone era, were donated by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company to this non-profit group. Since then, volunteers have worked diligently to put the Cliffs Shaft Mine onto the radar screen of tourists, rock hounds and history buffs at large.
The mission of the MRIMHTP is to preserve and share the heritage of mining on the Marquette Iron Range. Volunteers are developing a mining theme park that is a credit to the men and women who worked so hard to make the Marquette Iron Range world famous.
Since the discovery of iron ore in 1844 at the Jackson Mine in Negaunee to today’s open pit operations at the Tilden and Empire Mines, iron from this area has been vital to our nation’s history. The canons of the Civil War and battleships of the World Wars, the automobile industry, and thy myriad of products used to build our cities, home and businesses are all testaments to the importance of the local iron industry.
To preserve the history, the MRIMHTP is planning to renovate nine buildings on the premises, including the three towering headframes, that distinquish the Ishpeming skyline. Efforts are underway to rehabilitate the “Dry House.” An area of 2000 square feet houses displays of mining artifacts and photos. The “Dry” also has displays of the Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club and the Ishpeming Historical Society along with a branch office of the Marquette County Genealogical Society. A gift shop with items from all participating groups is open to the public.
The museum is prepared to accept gifts and donations consisting of mining memorabilia, archives, maps, artifacts, photographs and equipment that will be displayed at the park. Individuals who are interested in contributing services, items of historic mining significance or monetary contributions should contact:
Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum
P.O. Box 555 * Ishpeming, MI 49849
(906) 485-1882 * Fax: (906) 485-1884
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Phone: (906) 485-1882
501 W. Euclid Street
Ishpeming, MI 49849