Railroad: Mineral Range Railroad Company

The Mineral Range Railroad was created in 1872 as a narrow gauge line from Hancock to Calumet, arriving in 1873. A connection over the Portage Canal to Houghton was built in 1886. The company purchased routes from the Keweenaw Central in 1918. This railroad was controlled by the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic railroad from early on, and was technically merged by them in 1949.

Built → Mineral Range railroad → Duluth South Shore & Atlantic railroad

Built: 1873 - Hancock to Calumet via Franklin Mine.

Operated for 54 Years.

Control acquired: 1892 by Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Ry.

Gained control: 1901 - of Hancock & Calumet. (Formally acquired in 1935)

Leased: 1902 - Mohawk Mining Company railroad.

Assigned Lease: 1917 - Mohawk Mining Company railroad (to Gay) to Copper Range railroad.

Bankruptcy: In 1937.

Merged: 1949 - into Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic railroad.

Reference: [MRRC][SSS]

Photo Info: A postcard view of the Mineral Range depot in Calumet in 1910. This depot continues to exist today (2020). It has weather damage but has been stabilized.

Notes

3' gauge until 1898, then standard gauge in September, 1897.

Mineral Range yards, shops, and station were located on the Handcock waterfront with a secondary staging yard at the top of the grade, which was 4%. [CRR]

The initial 1,200 foot long track from James Bendry's shipping dock in Hancock was a 4% grade that lessened to 2.65% for another two miles before reaching the top of the bluff behind Hancock. From there to Calumet the grade would remain a constant 1.14%. [DMG-1015-1114]

Dates of line and branches built:

• Houghton to Calumet - October 11, 1873
• Hancock to Calumet - December 1, 1885 (originally H&C)
• Lake Junction to Lake Linden - December 1, 1885 (originally H&C)
• Calumet to Allouez - March 12, 1887 (originally H&C)
• Allouez to Fulton - October 28, 18l91 (originally H&C)
• Arcadian Jct. to Arcadian Mine - October 29, 1898
• Woodside to Grosse Point - December 1, 1898 (narrow gauge)
• Arcadian Mine to Grosse Point - July 28, 1899
• Keweenaw Bay to Riddle Jct. - December 23, 1900

In 1901, the railroad also had trackage rights on:

• DSS&A from Houghton south to Keweenaw Bay
• Tamarack-Osceola Mining Co. from Main Line to Cook's Camp (1.98 miles)
• Tamarack-Osceola Mining Co. from East Branch to end of track (2.47 miles)
• Mohawk Mining Co. from Main Line to Mohawk Mine (0.62 miles)
• Allouez Mining Co. from Main Line to Allouez Stamp Mill (2.15 miles)

In 1901 the railroad had 13 stations.

Time Line

1872. At a meeting of the stockholders, the name was changed from the Mineral Range & L'Anse Bay Railroad (a narrow gauge road) to "Mineral Range Railroad." The length of the proposed road was changed to 100 miles, from Copper Harbor on Lake Superior to some point on the Ontonagon River on the southwest. The minutes noted that construction was started on August 15 and grading of six miles was almost completed, and the remaining seven miles between Hancock and Calumet are "ready for the contractor". The work is in charge of Samuel Wright, engineer in chief. The Honorable Charles E. Holland is President of the company. [DFP-1872-1115]

1872. December 21. A committee made up of Mr. Holland, President, Mr. J.H. Chandler and the Hon. Jay A. Hubbell was appointed to draw the form of bond to be offered to the public. [DFP-1872-1221]

1873. November. The docks of the road are reported as being crowded with freight, in Hancock. A second locomotive has been started from Philadelphia on the 7th; so that it is fair to presume this much needed engine will be here in a few days. [DFP-1873-1119]

1874. March. The Mineral Range railroad runs through the center of the Osceola property. A branch runs to the Mineral Range Railroad by which company rock is carried a distance of seven miles to the Albany & Boston (stamp mill), at which place another branch has been made direct to the stamp mill. [DFP-1874-0305]

1874. A Frenchman named Brusso was returning along the Mineral Range from from the Osceola mine and was attacked by three men who were masked and robbed him of about $130. [DFP-1874-0409]

1874. August. Numerous citizens took seats in the cars of the MR railroad to visit Calumet. The railroad is one of  the most wonderful in the state. The gauge is three feet and its length thirteen miles. It is very handsomely equipped having elegant and comfortable coaches and a sufficient number of freight cars. It was constructed almost wholly by home capital and work paid for in cash as it progressed. It is known locally as "Holland's railroad", in honor of Charles E. Holland. [DFP-1874-0823]

1874. SNAPSHOT. The main line consisted of 13 miles of track with 3/4 of a mile of sidings. Equipment are two Baldwin locomotives, two passenger cars, eighteen freight cars and a full complement of auxiliary cars, buildings, turn tables and other appliances for the convenient operation and repair of the road. For the first eight months, receipts averaged a little less than $7,000 a month. Operating expenses were $4,000 a month and net earnings were $22,857. The first board of directors was J.A. Close, R.M. Hoar, William Harris, J.R. Devereaux, Jacob Baer, Peter Ruppe, M.M. Moralee, J.H. Chandler, Philip Scheuerman and Charles E. Holland. Holland was president and O.H. Viele was treasurer. [CN-1897-0212]

1875. February. Heavy snow storms and an accident to the engine on th MR railroad running from the Quincy mine has reduced ore being transported to the mill. [1875-0219]

1880. A derailment of two locomotives last week did not seriously interfere with forwarding of products of the Osceola and C&H mines. The accident was caused by a high wind blowing down the snow fences along the line, thus allowing immense drifts to form on the track. In attempting to remove these drifts that two locomotives were thrown off the track and damaged to the extend of about $1,500. [DFP-188-0109]

1885. July. Eastern and European capitalists, represented by Henry S. Ives, a New York banker, have purchased the Mineral Range railroad, running from Hancock to Calumet and Hecla mines. [HBHT-1885-0731]

1885. When the Mineral Range under new ownership increased rates for hauling ore, they faced an immediate backlash from the Osceola and Tamarack Mining companies. Albert Bigelow, who's board held control of both mining companies, organized the Hancock and Calumet Railroad on January 17, 1885. [DMG-2015-1114]

1885. October. The Mineral Range made an application to condemn land belonging to the Lake Superior Copper Company. The railroad wishes to extend its railroad from Hancock to Houghton, connecting with the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon railroad. The proposed line runs close to the copper company's smelting works. As the works will be separated from the dock by the railroad, the copper company is making a vigorous fight against the condemnation of the land. [DFP-1885-1021]

1886. The railroad builds a bridge between Hancock and Houghton. [CRR]

1886. July. The Mineral Range railroad has purchased the competing Hancock & Calumet railroad complete, with its rolling stock and buildings. The transfer will take place on August 1st. The terms are not made public. [WEX-1886-0729]

1887. A special meeting of the stockholders will be held tomorrow at the company's office in Hancock. The Mineral Range is now a narrow gauge running from Hancock to Calumet, and has a large revenue. Henry S. Ives secured control two years ago and has since run it to suit himself. It is feared that he has credited the line with a large amount of money and that other stockholders will have to foot the bills. The affairs of the road are in such a shape that nothing definite regarding the finances can be said until after the meeting. [DFP-1887-0823]

1887. In explaining the financial woes of his railroad properties, Henry S. Ives claims that he prevented the Mineral Range railroad from being paralleled (by the H&C) and thus maintained its value. [PHTH-1887-0914]

1888. For years, the Mineral Range was thirteen miles long narrow-gauge railroad. It paid its superintendent a salary of $10,000 a year and declared big dividends. It is now owned principally by Henry S. Ives, a well-known Wall street railroad operator and has a very lively competitor in the Hancock & Calumet railroad, which runs between Houghton, Hancock, Calumet, Red Jacket and Lake Linden. [DFP-1888-0526]

1888. June 14. The Mineral Range railroad has been placed in the hands of a receiver. [LDP-1888-0614]

1890. October. This is a rumor that the CM&StP is negotiating for the purchase of the Mineral Range railroad. The principal officers visited the area, which "gives color" to the story. [LAS-1890-1004]

1892. December 25. The rumor that the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic railway had obtained control of the Mineral Range Railroad in the copper country has been confirmed by General Manager Fitch, of the South Shore line. Mr. Fitch stated that the South Shore people in New York had purchased a large majority of the Mineral Range stock, thereby securing control. [DFP-1892-1225]

1893. After take over of the MR by the DSS&A, passenger depot operations were consolidated at the MR depot in Houghton. The MH&O depot (actually in East Houghton) was converted into a freight house. [SOO-2022-Q1]

1893. September 15. A Mineral Range passenger train is robbed near the Boston location. The train was carrying a $70,000 in cash for the C&H mining payroll. Several people were arrested, convicted and went to prison, including a former express manager and his brother, an express messenger. Most of the money was recovered. [SOO-2022-Q1]

1896. June. It was reported in railroad circles yesterday that the DSS&A had issued orders for the laying of the long hoped for third rail from Hancock to Calumet over the Mineral Range Railroad. [CN-1896-0612]

1896. December. Notice to Clergymen. Application blanks for half fare permits for the year 1897, via the DSS&A, Mineral Range and Hancock & Calumet railroads may be had at my office free of charge for all regular ordained ministers. A. Lumberthal, Ticket Agent. [IWT-1896-1212]

1897. Referring to the widening by the DSS&A of the Mineral Range to standard gauge an official of the road said yesterday, "There are a good many things to be considered. If it meant only a question of the main line from Houghton to Calumet the problem may be more simple, but the transfer of Quincy, the interchange between the MR and H&C by which coal is delivered to the Wolverine and Kearsarge [mines] and the business by the many miles of side tracks are to be thought of. The company desires to make the change and it will be made soon, but the things mentioned have retarded action. [CN-1897-0612]

1898. Most of the railroad is changed to standard gauge. [CRR]

1898. February. The old passenger coaches of the Mineral Range railroad are being placed on wide-gauge trucks. The narrow-gauge coaches on the wide-gauge trucks presents a funny appearance, but they will answer the purpose for what they are intended, viz: That of accommodating large traffic during the summer season, occasioned by the numerous excursions, etc., going out. [CN-1898-0224]

1902. The MR completes the transition from narrow gauge to standard gauge. [MCR-1902]

1906. John C. Shields, superintendent of the Mineral Range railroad the last 14 years and the oldest employee in length of service has resigned to become general superintendent of the new Keweenaw Central railroad. [DFP-1906-0710]

1924. At the time of merger with C&H, the Osceola Mining Company owned $145,800 worth of Mineral Range railroad stock (possibly as the result of sponsoring the Hancock & Calumet railroad which was merged into the MR). [CRR]

1926. The MRRR sold to C&H their main line from Kearsarge Station to its northern terminal at Ahmeek shafts #3 and #4. Branches were also sold to the Kearsarge, Allouez and Ahmeek mines. This was incorporated into the Trap Rock Valley operation, which had a connection with this line. [CRR]

1912. The Mineral Range railroad is receiving its first shipments of coal for the season at the yards at Osceola. [CN-1912-0521]

1913. October. Governor Ferris on receipt of a telegram from the vice president of the Mineral Range railroad today sent a telegram to (national guard) General P.L. Abbey at Calumet, ordering that official to give protection to the railroad's property and to protect life and property at all costs. Agitation from strikers are affecting railroad operations. [PHTH-1913-1024] The telegram from the railroad said "Presume you have been advised of attack by Western Federation strikers on our train carrying passengers and mails at station at Hancock. It is expected that such attacks may be repeated. We feel that we are entitled to protection against such lawlessness and respectfully ask that you so advise military authorities now in the district." [LSJ-1913-1024]

1914. May. As an indication of the unusual activity in the smaller mines in the district, it was declared today that the Mineral Range railroad is hauling more than 100,000 tons of rock to the mills each week from 11 mines. These 11 mines do not include the C&H properties, the Quincy, Copper Range or Winona. This amount of business is just about normal, railroad officials asserted. [DET-1914-0519]

1916. The Mineral Range railroad has placed an order for three large type freight engines and an order for cars to be used to haul rock from the mines to the smelters, all for April delivery. [PHTH-1916-0320]

1923, Sixty million feet of logs will be shipped to L'Anse this winter for the Ford Motor company. About 20 million feet will come over the Mineral Range railroad, the balance of forty million from near Bergland on the South Shore railroad. This is about 75% hardwood and the balance being soft timber. The lumber at L'Anse will be cut by Hebard's, Sterns & Culver, and the Baraga Lumber company. [LAS-1923-1214]

1923. The Ahmeek, Allouez, Centenial, Osceola an C&H mining companies were merged into the Calumet & Hecla Consoldated Copper Company. The first four properties had been served by the Mineral Range railroad which was considered expensive. A right-of-way along the Trap Rock River valley was secured and construction begun in June 1924. [CRR]

1925. September. The Calumet & Hecla Consolidated Copper corporation has taken over its recently completed railroad (Trap Rock Valley railroad) from Ahmeek to Lake Linden, and is now hauling its own rock. The Mineral Range had previously hauled this rock. The article notes that the only other mine in southern Keweenaw County is the Mohawk, which is cared for by the Copper Range railroad. The article further notes that Calumet is no longer a "railroad center". [BCE-1925-0916]

1926. The Mineral Range railroad and the Hancock & Calumet railroad were authorized by the ICC today to abandon lines in Houghton and Keweenaw counties. One of these lines extends from Kearsarge to Ahmeek. The others are branch lines to mines. [SJHP-1926-1019] Ed. Note: This was a result of C&H properties sending their ore to Lake Linden via their own Trap Rock Valley railroad.

1932. The Mineral Range railroad which runs through the copper country has been purchased by the DSS&A company and will be consolidated with their line. [IWT-1932-1230]

1937. The Mineral Range railroad and the DSS&A railway file for bankruptcy in 1937. [CRR]

1949. September. Both railroads are reorganized as the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic railroad. [CRR]