Mine: Jackson Mine, Negaunee, MI

Began → Jackson Mine → Cambria-Jackson (part), South Jackson (part) and then Mather Mine (1943)

Operated for 76 years.

From: 1848

Location: All of Sec 1 except N 1/2-N 1/2-NW of T47N-R27W

Owned by: Jackson Iron Company. Purchased by the Iron Cliffs Company about 1864. Merged into Cleveland-Cliffs Company in 1905.

Produced: Iron Ore, soft, red siliceous.

Method: Open pit and tunnels.

Railroad connection: DSS&A to Marquette dock, then LS&I to Presque Isle dock.

Until: 1924

Lifetime Production: 4,357,256 tons between 1848 and 1924.

Photo Info: Two old photos of the Jackson Mine, which was open pit at this location. In the 2nd photo, note the overhead trestle which can be scene in several published maps of the mine. Also, a very old steam powered switch engine with a vertical boiler. Top, [MINARC].

Notes

Originally included all of Section 1, T47N-R26W but NW 1/2-N 1/2-NW of Sec. 1 is now part of Cambria-Jackson Mine.

The mine is located northwest of M-28 and Cornish Town Road. [CMS-1878]

Also known as the Jackson Location.

Jackson Iron Company. Section 1, 47-26

Time Line

1849. The schooner Fur Trader came down on the 19th with 213 iron blooms, 13 tons and 120 bars of iron - 2 1/2 tons, all from the Jackson Iron Works. [DFP-1849-0710]

1850. The men associated with the Jackson Mine create the Iron Bay and Carp River Plank Road Company, to establish a plank road for transport of ore. [DSS] The road was not successful.

1854. The Jackson Mine, along with the Cleveland Mine laid a strap railroad and formed the Iron Mountain Railway Company to transport ore.  There was also a plank road by a similar name. The IMRC built to the Jackson dock in Marquette. The Cleveland company also built a dock at the foot of Superior Street. [DSS]

1864. Purchased by the Iron Cliffs Company, which was affiliated with the C&NW. They begin sending Jackson ore to Escanaba on the C&NW instead of to the Jackson dock in Marquette. The Jackson dock closes. [DSS]

1868. This mine is now served by both the C&NW and M&O with the M&O receiving Jackson ore for local furnaces. [DSS]

1878. January 2. A terribly fatal accident occurred about at 9:45 a.m. this morning near Negaunee by which seven men lost their lives and several others were slightly injured. The Lake Shore Nitroglycerine company was preparing a car-load of nitroglycerine at the Jackson Mine for shipment by railroad to the Republic mine, and while this was being loaded, the entire lot of 4,800 pounds exploded with a terrific crash, demolishing the car, engine and everything within a radius of 500 feet. The concussion shattered the glass of nearly all the stores in Ishpeming and Negaunee and all dwelling houses were left without a single window light unbroken.

The engineman, fireman, two brakemen and employees of Lake Shore were killed. Their remains were blown to atoms and scattered in all directions and are being picked up in small pieces; the largest piece being found thus far was no more than 1.5 pounds.  What can be found of them will be placed in one coffin and buried together as there is nothing by which either can be recognized or identified. Great excitement prevails and business is at a stand still. Great sorrow is manifested in all quarters, as all the parties were widely known and universally respected. [SAG-1878-0110]

1903. The DSS&A crosses overhead the LS&I at Jackson Mine. [NCR-1904]