Mine: Beta Mine, Iron River, MI

Began → Beta Mine → Nanaimo Mine in 1941.

Operated for 60+ years.

From: 1885

Location: NE-SW Sec. 26 of T43N-R35W.

Owned by: Later, Pittsburgh Coke & Iron Co.

Produced: Iron Ore

Method: Underground.

Railroad connection: C&NW to Escanaba dock.

Until: Closed in 1887 but shipped from stockpile in 1891 and 1941-1942. Exhausted.

Lifetime Production: 27,156 tons between 1886-1942.

Source: [LSIO-1950]

Notes

Mineral Hills Mining Company. This property later included in the Nanaimo Mine. 1941-1942 shipments were by the Pittsburgh Coke & Iron Co.

Time Line

1890. April. Mr. H. Nunnemacher and H.M. Benjamin of Milwaukee and A.E. Willard of Escanaba, the three incorporators of the Nanaimo Iron Mining Co. arrived at Iron River last Tuesday to look over their mines - the Nanaimo and Beta - and start work in earnest. The work of hoisting ore at the Beta will commence in about ten days. They have secured a fine battery of new and improved boilers and their hoisting machinery will be of the best and improved kind. Spur tracks, which were mostly taken up for the Sheridan mine spur will be relaid in a few days. [DD-1890-0412]

1891. July. More men are being put to work at the Nanaimo mine and the work hoisting ore for the market will soon be commenced. The Beta mine, which joins the Naniamo and is part thereof, will also be pumped out and ore shipped from that property. [DD-1891-0725]

1903. The  new boilers for the Beta mine arrived from Milwaukee the latter part of last week and have already been placed in position and are about to be bricked in. The hoist and engine are also in position and the work of erecting the engine and boiler houses is well under way. As soon as the new machinery is ready for operations the work of opening the Beta will be pushed forward as rapidly as possible. The shaft will be sunk another level. At present drifting and cross-cutting in the old stopes is being done. About 25 men are employed at present. [DD-1903-1003]