Mine: Champion Mine, Champion, MI

Opened → Champion Mine → Became

Operated for 99 years.

From: 1867

Located: S 1/2-SW and SW-SE Sec 31 of T48N-R29W. formally included all of S 1/2 Sec 31.

Owned by: Champion Iron Company which was owned by M&O owners. [DSS]. Then Oliver Mining Co. until 1901 then Oliver Iron Mining Co until 1910. North Range Mining Co. in 1947.

Produced: Iron Ore

Method: Underground, stoping method. 2,000 feet.

Railroad connection: Branch line from M&O, then MH&O. DSS&A to Marquette dock. Also by MILW and C&NW (via MILW trackage rights from Wabik. [CNWV]

Until: 1966

Lifetime Production: 4.8 million tons of iron ore by 1950. [LSIO-1952]

1,800 acres. S 1/2 of Section 31, T48-R29. 1/3 mile from MH&O main line.

Notes

Mine located on a hill just southwest of the village of Champion. Reached by M&O by a 1.9 mile spur which branched off from the main line east of town and other lines. [DSS]

Time Line

1868. This mine is now largely served by the M&O. [DSS] 

1965. This is an active mine owned by the North Range Mining Company of Negaunee, MI. [DMP]

1966. Ore from the Champion Mine is brought down the MILW to Iron Mountain three days per week on trains 69 and 82, and then to the Escanaba ore dock by the C&NW/MILW pool. The Soo Line also serves this mine using their dock in downtown Marquette. [IOR]