Industry: Detroit & Lake Superior Iron Works, Detroit, MI

The original location (in 1858) of the Detroit & Lake Superior Iron Works was along the Detroit river, 2½ miles north of downtown.

Later located in Hamtramck Township (Detroit east side) this iron works used 15,000 tons of ore in 1880. The works employ 35 men and produce 23 tons of pig iron daily.  [DFP-1880-0226]

Rail service: 

Notes

Time Line

1858. A fire was discovered last evening in one of the charcoal kilns attached to the Detroit and Lake Superior Iron works, situated on the river front about 2½ miles above the centre of the city. The kiln had been filled with wood and fired during the day, when some defect in its construction collapsed. The capacity of the kiln was about 3,000 bushels and the contents were a total loss. [DFP-1858-1021]

1871. The steam barge R.J. Hackett reached Detroit early this morning with a full cargo of iron ore from Escanaba, being the first cargo of the season for the iron works. After depositing its ore the Hackett proceeded to Cleveland. [DFP-1871-0416]

1872. 444 tons of ore are delivered form Escanaba at the D&LS iron works in Hamtramck. [DFP-1872-  20] Ed. Note. At this time, Hamtramck township extended to the Detroit river above downtown.

1875. A new dock is being constructed, 45 feet wide by 250 feet in length for the Lake Superior Iron works. [DFP-1875-0613]

1880. Hiram Smith of Flint, intends to build extensive charcoal kilns at Chicago Junction, two miles east of Lansing on the N.W.G.T. railway (Trowbridge?). Ten kilns will be built using 300,000 brick which will be furnished by James M. Turner. The latter also agreed to furnish the kilns with 8,000 cords of wood annually for five years. Smith & Brainard will furnish 32 carloads of coal per month to the Detroit and Lake Superior Iron works in Detroit. Other kilns are located in Flint, Clio, Durand, Gaines and Lansing which will furnish 120 carloads of 1,440 tons per month for five years to come. [PHTH-1880-0125]

1883. The Lake Superior Iron Works has received the contract for building 184 iron jiggers, which are to replace the wooden washers in the Calumet and Hecla stamp mills. The Eureka Iron Works also received a contract for furnishing a number of Evans' slime tables, ten heads of small "cam" stamps to crush course sand and some other iron work required for the enlargement and betterment of the C&H's dressing works. [DFP-1883-0925]

1884. It is noted in the reading of the will of Samuel F. Hodges, one of the owners of the Lake Superior Iron Works in Detroit that the firm received $2,000 annual rental from a LSIW facility in Hancock. [DFP-1884-0424]

1888. The foundry of Hodges' Lake Superior Iron works in Hancock was entirely destroyed by fire last night. Loss, $15,000; insurance: $5,000. [DFP-1888-1027]