Mine: Columbia Mine, Crystal Falls, MI

Sheldon and Schafer mines → Columbia Mine → Tobin mine shaft

Operated for 68 years.

From: 1882

Location: NW Sec. 31 of T43N-32W

Owned by: Corrigan McKinney Steel Co., now Republic Steel Corp.

Produced: Iron Ore

Method: Underground, worked by sub-level stoping. Depth: 1,783 feet.

Railroad connection: C&NW/MILW pool to Escanaba docks.

Until: 1950

Lifetime Production: 4,308,6021 from 1882 to 1950. Continues.

Source: [LSIO-1950]

Notes

Columbia ore is taken through the Tobin shaft. Tobin and Columbia together comprise the old Sheldon Mine and the Shafer property. 

Time Line

1901. The steam shovel was brought over from the Mansfield mine and put to work loading the big stockpile at the Columbia mine. This pile contains about 75,000 tons and has stood on the property for a long time so that the movement of it will send a thrill of relief through the hearts of Crystal Falls people. Underground work is being confined to getting the bottom ready for hoisting, at which point the ore will come up at a rapid rate. [DD-1901-0817]