Location: Winthrop Junction, MI

Winthrop Junction was a junction point and crossing on the Chicago & North Western Cascade Branch Loop Line (which ran south of the Negaunee iron range to Ishpeming) and the Duluth South Shore & Atlantic main line between Ishpeming and ultimately Duluth. Other lines which intersected in this vicinity included a spur line southwest to the Saginaw Mine, as well as spurs to a number of other mines in the Lake Angeline area. The location was also known by other names and was called Ontonagon Junction until 1885.

Today, the DSS&A (Soo Line) crossing and connection is gone and all of the mines in the area have discontinued operation. The location is used as a switching point for the small Mineral Range railroad which serves customers south of here in the National Mine area. Note: The C&NW loop line was also pulled up between  Palmer and the Tilden Mine in the 1870's.

Photo Info: Top, a winter view of Winthrop Jct. near Ishpeming in 2002. [Dale Berry]. 2nd photo, a 1995 view of the Mineral Range switcher at the junction. [Mark Andersen]. 3rd photo, VRI 600 under the sign at Winthrop Jct. [Mark Andersen]

Notes

The DSS&A had a water tower at Winthrop Junction, near the C&NW grade crossing. [SSP-1907]

The DSS&A had a five track ore yard north of Winthrop Junction behind the Lake Superior mine.

Time Line