Location: Negaunee, MI - Pioneer Furnace

The Pioneer Furnace was built in the 1860's just southeast of downtown Negaunee, near what is now Division Street and the Iron Ore Heritage Trail (which was the former DSS&A right of way).

This furnace took ore from area mines and made pig iron.

Photo info: Top, a postcard view of Pioneer Furnace in Marquette, early 1900's. 2nd image, a [SBM] drawing of the site at Pioneer in 1911. [SBM]. 3rd image, a 1881 "bird's eye view" of Negaunee. The Pioneer Furnace is a large facility with smoke stacks in the lower center of the photo. 

Notes

Negaunee had the first blast furnace (Pioneer Furnace) built in the Lake Superior region and operating on April 18, 1858. After burning down in 1874, the furnace was rebuilt in 1877 and operated until 1893. [NHS-2014-03]

This facility was located along the bay on Presque Isle Avenue (N. Fourth) at Clark Street. [SBM]

In 1911, this facility manufactured pig iron, charcoal, acetate of lime, acetone chloroform, acetone oil, methyl alcohol, formaldehyde, sulphuric acid and creosote oil. [DBM]

Time Line