Mine: Paint River Mine, Crystal Falls, MI

Fairbanks Mine → Paint River Mine → Became

Operated for 31 years.

Opened: 1882

Location: NE-SE and Lots 4 and 5 Sec. 20 of T43N-R32W. In 1902 stated as E 1/2 of SE 1/4 of Section 20, T43N-R32W. [DD-1902-1206]

Owned by: Corrigan McKinney Steel Co. Merged into Republic Steel Corp. in 1935.

Produced: Iron Ore, soft, red, high phosphorus.

Method: Open pit and underground.

Railroad connection: C&NW to port of Escanaba.

Until: 1913

Lifetime Production: 382,078 tons between 1882-1913

Source: [LSIO-1950]

Notes

The Paint River Mine was located in Crystal Falls in the SE quarter of Section 20, T43N-R32W. [MINDAT]  Opened in 1880.

One of the original seven mines open in the Crystal Falls area in 1882.

Time Line

1882. Several cargos (of ore) were shipped. Ore was found of a low grade and work was discontinued and exploring was commenced near the west line where a large body of rich ore was found. After working the mine some time at the depth of about 300 feet the ore made to the west over the line onto the Monitor (mine). This body of ore is still holding close to the line and there are still hopes that the Paint will once more be among the shipping mines. [DD-1902-1206]

1887. March. About 6,000 tons of ore are in stock pile at the Paint River mine. The contractors will send out 40,000 tons of ore this season. The mine is in splendid condition. [DD-1887-0305]

1887. The Fairbanks mine is located between and joins the Paint River and Great Western mines. The mine was opened in 1881 by the Crystal Falls Iron Mining Co. of which N.K. Fairbanks, of Chicago, is President. The company mined out and exhausted a surface pocket of ore, obtaining something over 20,000 tons. The mine was then abandoned. But now it appears that the ore deposit of the Great Western mine extends on to the Fairbanks property, somewhat to the south of and deeper than any of the old workings. It is noted that the fine is fully equipped, railway already constructed, barns, engine houses, machinery, boarding houses, tenement houses, dry house, blacksmith shop and everything necessary in on hand and ready for use. [DD-1887-0409]

1887. The Monitor mine would have commenced shipping had not an accident happened. The accident was that the Paint River mine started up and deprives the Monitor of a railroad track. The Monitor people expected to use the Paint's track until spring when they would have one of their own. The main shaft of the Monitor is down 60 feet from which a cross-cut has been driven south a distance of 53 feet and neither wall has yet been encountered. A drive is to be run west from the cross-cut. The mine shaft will be put down another 60 feet during the winter. The mine is very dry, but will become wet when the work is carried below the shafts at the Paint River mine. At present, the Paint which is now more than 50 feet to the east, drains all of the water from the Monitor. The ore seems to be bettering and is a hard dark blue substance. [DD-1887-1015]

1914. March. The Fairbanks under the name of "Paint River", will send forth no more ore, the property having been stripped of its machinery and abandoned. [DD-1914-0321]