Iron Ore! Its discovery created an electrifying bit of American history in our northern woods.
In the late 1880s, the constant failure of magnetic compasses
in northern Minnesota was widely known. Trappers of mink and loggers
just accepted the strange response that always found magnetic north in
places other than north.
The few who realized the reason for fickle compasses - that
they were standing on a mass of iron ore - quickly staked out mining
claims.
Prospectors named mining areas with affection, but the
encompassing, enduring name became the Mesabi Range. This
concentration of rich mining created Hibbing, Virginia, Biwabik,
Chisholm and dozens of other towns, and soon a sprinkling of wealth
dotted the landscape.
 Mining
generated the need for transportation, leading to wagons, ships and
railroads like the Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railway.
While rail proved the best way to move ore over land, it
quickly became apparent that riding on a car full of iron ore was not
the best means of travel for people.
In 1893, the railway bought its first business car, Missabe, to haul wealthy mining people, their bankers and politicians. In 1916, a gorgeous new addition, the Pullman-built Northland, joined the Missabe.
 Which brings me to my story. I rode on the fabled and absolutely still beautiful Northland the last half-mile to its new berth at Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth.
Magnificent inside and out, Northland moved VIPs for the Duluth, Missabe and Northern Railway. (Courtesy of Lake Superior
Railroad Museum)
Yes, I stood in the same lounge where U.S. presidents and a
king of Norway stood. I sat in a chair used by military heroes and
lofty politicians. I marveled at the mahogany interior dressing the
walls, learning later that they actually were carefully painted steel
panels.
Eventually Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railway became part
of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway. The DM&IR, as it
is known locally, sold the museum this steel-paneled beauty, put on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
On my special trip, I listened in rapt attention as Tom Gannon, the museum curator, detailed how this prized Northland came to stay in our northland. It took supreme efforts to arrange the purchase and move.
During our trip, the privilege of running the switch engine that towed Northland was given to licensed engineer Duane Benoit. Robert Mortinsen oversaw the parking of Northland,
a job performed in skilled perfection. Another good job - purchase of
the car - came through the museum’s board of directors under officers
President Earl Currie, Vice President Neal Vanstrom, Treasurer Brian
Murphy and Secretary Clint Ferner. Enthusiastic help came from Lake
Superior Transportation Club led by Steve Ruce, DeWayne Tomasek, Tim
Schandel and Bill Mickelsen. Fund-raising to repay the loan taken to
buy the car is under way.
 These
efforts are smiled on. The dull and rainy day that the car became
museum property, I am told, transformed at the precise moment title was
passed. Sudden sun bathed the transfer ceremony in bright light. Some
say the sunshine was a smile from the late Don Shank, president and
general manager of the DM&IR who worked to start the museum and who
wanted Northland to end there.
The late Don Shank wanted the car to come to the Lake
Superior Railroad Museum, where it is now. (Courtesy of Lake Superior
Railroad Museum)
Behind everything at the fine Lake Superior Railroad Museum
is Executive Director Ken Buehler. Ken moved quickly onto his
comfortable “do it right and do it well” path for the museum and now to
help with The Depot building itself.
 Ken
felt that increasing use of the museum’s fleet of engines and railcars
was an obvious goal; the existing rail is in good shape and offers
scenic beauty. Today North Shore Scenic Railroad attracts even more
families. Those who stop at the museum to see Northland will be pleasantly surprised. And for sure, take one of the rides!
Museum director Ken Buehler rides Northland. Contact the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and North Shore Scenic Railroad at 218-733-7590 or www.lsrm.org. (photo by Lake Superior Magazine)
One last note: The Northland is reunited with an old friend. Near it rests the partially restored Missabe,
acquired after being used as a shack at the Boulder Dam construction
site and later as a summer home along the river in Hudson, Wisconsin.
So today, two Iron Range workers again spend time side by side!
A selection of Jim Marshall’s columns of lake lore and his inland sea voyages
has been published as Lake Superior Journal: Views from the Bridge
by Lake Superior Port Cities Inc. Follow this link
for more information. |
