Mine: Forbes Mine, Mineral Hills, MI

Began → Forbes Mine → Davidson Mines

Operated for 35 years.

Opened: 1911

Location: NE-SW Sec. 14 of T43N-R35W. Formerly included SE-SW Sec. 14 of T43N-R35W.

Owned by: Jones & Laughlin Ore Co. Acquired by North Range Mining Co. in 1935.Operated from 1941 to 1946 by Pittsburgh Coke & Iron Co. SE-SW Sec. 14 acquired by Pickands Mining Co. in 1947 and the property is used as the site for the Davidson Shaft. SE-SW Sec. 14 is included in Davidson Group.

Produced: Iron Ore, soft yellow, high phosphorus. 2 shafts as Forbes.

Method: Underground, worked by stoping method. Depth: 475 feet.

Railroad connection: C&NW and MILW to Escanaba ore docks.

Until: 1946

Lifetime Production: 2,283,822 between 1913 and 1946.

Source: [LSIO-1950]

Notes

Forbes Mine was located in Mineral Hills north of Iron River in Iron County. It was opened: 1911-1912.

Davidson #1 is in the NE 1/4 NW 1/4 of Section 23, T43N-R35W between the James and Homer mines.

Davidson #2 and #3 adjoining the properties in the SW 1/4 and SE 1/4, respectively of the SE 1/4 of Section 14, north of the James mine.

Davidson #4, known in its earlier years at the Purcell or Wapama mine, is in the SW 1/4 SW 1/4 of Section 14, north of the Homer mine.

The combined operation was in the hands of the Davidson Ore Mining Co. until 1940 and the Pittsburgh Coke and Iron CO. from 1941 to 1947.

Time Line

1912. Mine opened. [SMG-1967]

1936. Shipping from stockpiles was speeded up as four mines put their shovels on a heavy operating schedule. The properties loading from ore in stock were the Bates and Hiawatha, the James and the Forbes. According to railroad officials, it was estimated that 60 cars, each containing from 48 to 50 tons would be loaded at each mine. This is the heaviest tonnage to be sent to the Escanaba docks so early in the season since 1928. In addition to loading from stockpiles, all active mines are shipping from the pockets. [IDG-1936-0505]

1946. Mined out.

1947. Taken over by Pickands Mather & Co. which sank a new shaft - the Davidson and James Mines. The mines were largely worked out except for the Davidson No. 1, whos operations were integrated by Pickands Mather & Co. with the James mine. A new shaft, the Davidson, was sunk on the old Forbes property in the SE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Section 14.

1947. Shipping from stockpiles occurred between 1947 and 1952. [SMG-1967]