Location: Iron River , MI - Iron River Furnace

Notes

Time Line

1886. Iron River's new furnace will go into blast this week. This will be a valuable industry for the village after which the furnace is named, and we hope it will prove to be profitable one for those who's money is invested in it. [DFP-1886-0129]

1887. The Iron River charcoal iron furnace, which was twice burned down - the last time only eighteen months ago - is being rebuilt and will be put in blast again at an early day. [DFP-1887-0325]

1887. July. At noon while switching cars on the C&NW railroad, a train of cars was cut in two. While one part was being backed into the furnace, the train struck the cars and knocked them from the track. George C. Reis, superintendent of the furnace, was hit by the cars and died at 2 o'clock. An employee of the Western Union Telegraph Company was also seriously injured. Reis was a prominent citizen and highly respected. [DFP-1887-0713]

1888. Referred to as the "Gogebic" furnace at Iron River. One of only six furnaces in the northern Michigan which use charcoal. The others are two Pioneer furnaces at Negaunee, the Deer Lake Company's single furnace near Ishpeming, the Jackson Iron Company furnace at Fayette and the Martel furnace at Newberry. [DFP-1888-0428]