Iron Mining Industry Resource Guide
Iron Mining Industry Resource Guide
This resource guide provides summary descriptions of collections maintained by the Central Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan University Archives that provide significant documentation of the historical development of the iron mining industry in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Where available, links are provided to collection level descriptions. For more information, please contact or 906-227-1225
- The Cleveland – Cliffs Iron Mining Company Records
1854-1960, 1,200 cubic feet
The Cleveland – Cliffs Iron Mining Company formed in 1891 as a result of a merger between the Cleveland Iron Mining Company and the Cliffs Iron Mining Company. However, the collection includes records created by other iron mining companies as early as 1854. The collection also includes a large set of maps that document CCI land use and the location of mines, furnaces, and kilns.
For a comprehensive discussion of the collection’s research value, please see Terry Reynolds, Archival Report: The Cleveland – Cliffs Iron Company Collections, Northern Michigan University Archives, Michigan Historical Review, 30:1, Spring 2004, 133-144.
- The Cleveland – Cliffs Iron Mining Company Records
MSS-36, 1907-1918, 2 volumes
This collection contains payroll records for Gwinn Mine, 1918. The second volume contains estimates and authorization records for various mine locations, correspondence, and financial material related to the establishment of Gwinn. This volume also includes correspondence from CCI president, William Mather, and renowned urban landscape specialist Warren Manning.
- The Dominic Jacobetti Papers
MSS-78, 1954-1994, 75 cubic feet
Dominic Jacobetti was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1954 until his death in 1994. He was considered the “god-father” of Upper Peninsula politics. Jacobetti was particularly concerned with the Upper Peninsula’s economic development and was a staunch supporter of the iron mining industry. His papers document his legislative support and close association with the industry.
- The Ernie Ronn Papers
MSS-29, 1946-1994, 4 cubic feet
This collection documents Ernie Ronn's activity as a union organizer and labor leader for the United Steel Workers of America headquartered in Negaunee, Michigan. The USWA represented the iron miners on the Marquette Iron Range. The collection includes photographs, personal memorabilia, manuscripts of his memoirs, and correspondence. The collection also includes an oral history interview conducted by Dr. Russ Magnaghi on December 15, 1998. See also, Ernie Ronn, Fifty-two Steps Underground: An Autobiography of a Miner, Marquette, Michigan: Center for Upper Peninsula Studies, Northern Michigan University, 2000. TN403.M5 R65 2000
- United Steel Workers of America, Local 4950, Photographs
MSS-37, 1946, 1 cubic foot
This collection consists of photographs that document groups, individuals, organizing activities, publicity events, negotiating sessions, picket lines, and parades that occurred during the Iron Workers Strike of 1946 in Ishpeming and Negaunee, Michigan.
- The Red Dust Oral History Collection
MSS-113, 1983-2000, 4 cubic feet, 800 interviews
Students of the former National Mine School followed by Aspen Ridge Middle School conducted numerous oral history interviews from 1983-2000. From these interviews, they wrote and produced 17 books title “Red Dust” as part of the Red Dust local history project. This collection contains an entire series of interviews documenting iron mining. Interviewees include miners, their wives, and family members.
- Underground Iron Mining Oral History Collection
MSS-180, 8 interviews
This collection documents interviews with eight former underground iron miners describing their experiences. The interviews were conducted by Mary Andes. The interviewees represented the last generation of miners to work underground.
- The Russell M. Magnaghi Papers
US 47, 8 linear feet
Dr. Russell M. Magnaghi is a professor in the Department of History at Northern Michigan University. This collection is comprised of his research notes and publications. The collection includes research material and student papers documenting the history of iron mining in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Univ. Series 47