New MDL exhibit highlights the impact of iron mining on Minnesota

Iron mining has historically been, and continues to be, one of the major industries of Minnesota. But what is the story behind the mines, and where are they located? How did they extract the valuable raw materials? Who built and worked in the mines? How did mining contribute to the growth of northeastern Minnesota communities and related industries, like railroads and shipping?

Answers to these questions can be found in the Minnesota Digital Library (MDL)'s latest online exhibit: "Ore on the Range: The Impact of Iron Mining on Minnesota." The exhibit explores the history of the state's three distinct iron ore districts: the Vermilion, Mesabi, and Cuyuna Ranges. The mines established here were part of an interconnected network of natural resources, technology, transportation, capital, and labor.

The iron mining exhibit features highlights from several of MDL's digital collections, including the Crow Wing County Historical Society, Cuyuna Iron Range Heritage Network, Ely Winton Historical Society, Hibbing Historical Society, Immigration History Research Center Archives, Iron Range Research Center, Lake County Historical Society, Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Minnesota Geological Survey, Minnesota Museum of Mining, Minnesota Streetcar Museum, New Brighton Area Historical Society, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections, and Soudan Underground Mine State Park.

Learn how iron mining had a major impact on the culture, economy, and growth of the state as well as the entire nation, and explore even more mining history at mndigital.org.

Image credit: Missabe Mountain Mine, Virginia, 1930-1939. Iron Range Research Center collection, https://collection.mndigital.org/catalog/irrc:1253