First Caves Hike of the Season Provides Good History Lesson

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - Last Thursday several hikers were joined by members of the historical society on their first weekly trip through the caves area. Lily Palmer decided to photo document all of the information they were sharing during the walk.

"It was quite an exciting history lesson and it feels really good to have photo documentation of one of Ironwood’s historic mines. Certainly the Historical Society folks didn’t know everything that we were viewing but between maps, historic descriptions and their broad base of knowledge we had a pretty good idea of which structures and ruins we viewed."  said Palmer.

Ms. Palmer submitted the following photo document:

Proposed Miners Memorial Heritage Park

Ironwood’s Former Mining Grounds

The Historic Ironwood “Caves” Area

 

Aurora Mine Historical Photos

 

Photo documentation by Lily Palmer with assistance from the Ironwood Area Historical Society

May 6, 2010

North View – 19^th Century Foundations near “A” Shaft

 

South View – Foundation from a Structure that Likely Support Heavy Machinery Associated with “A” Shaft

Note: Appears to be 19^th Century Construction

 

West View – Alternate Photo of Structure Described Above

 

Northeast Views – Aurora “E” Shaft

Note:  Fencing and Cap in Background and Penokee Road Beyond

 

 

South View – Support for Tram Leading to Engine House Associated with “E” House

 

South View – Engine House Associated with “E” Shaft

Note:  Located Between Aurora Location St. and Mine Road

 

 

North Views – Supports South of “E” Shaft Engine House

Historic Function is Unknown

 

East View – Foundation of Aurora “E” Shaft Dryhouse

 

North View – Assumed Blacksmith or Machine Shop, Circa Late 1800s

 

 

West View & Southwest View, Respectively – Looking Up at Foundation of Assumed Blacksmith or Machine Shop

 

 

Southwest View – Rock Structure Below Assumed Blacksmith/Metal Shop

 

West View – Aurora “F” Shaft (AKA “Vaughn Shaft”)

Note:  Fenced and capped

 

North View – Scenery from Aurora "F" Shaft

 Note:  Penokee Road and Compost Site in Distance

                                  

West View – Aurora Pond

Note:  Vicinity of Historic Aurora Mine Collapse