Industrial Archaeology and History

Industrial archaeology involves studying large, complex industrial remains that are often fraught with unique problems, such as toxic waste dumps, specialized archival resources, and the sheer size of many industrial complexes. 10,000 Lakes Archaeology specializes in this area of study and can offer clients a service few companies can efficiently and knowledgeably provide. In addition to understanding large industrial complexes, industrial archaeologists are familiar with a wide variety of resources, such as blueprints, processual and mechanical drawings, structures, archaeological remains, the history of technology, economic histories, labor records, and corporate policies. 10,000 Lakes Archaeology understands the uniqueness of these sites, and has expertise in helping clients comply with Federal and State legislation.

Cataloging and Managing an Industrial Site

Between 1999 and 2000, 10,000 Lakes Archaeology, LLC participated in a study of the Croft Mine in central Minnesota.  The Croft Mine started shipping iron ore in 1916 and ceased operations in 1934.  By the time it closed, the mine had shipped 1,770,669 tons of ore. After closing, the mine sat quietly until 1978, when money was designated to restore the Croft Mine. The Croft Mine Historical Park opened in 1980. By 1999 the park had accumulated a large collection of documents, photographs, and artifacts, thus prompting this project.

The Croft Mine project included surveying the mine’s structures, landscape features, and machinery, as well as preparing a comprehensive catalog of the documents and artifacts housed at the Croft Mine Historical Park. In addition to documenting the site and its collections, long-term management recommendations were made and a collection policy was drafted.

Documentation and Collection Preservation

In 1997, 10,000 Lakes Archaeology, LLC documented and preserved the Soudan Mine’s archival collection. This project involved organizing, preserving, and cataloging the Mine’s extensive document and photograph collection, while researching the history of Minnesota’s iron industry.

The Soudan Mine, located north of Duluth, was the first iron mine in Minnesota. It began extracting ore in 1882 and operated until 1962 when US Steel ceased production. Within a year of the Mine’s closure, US Steel donated the property to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for use as a State Park. Although the Soudan Mine does not currently extract ore, it continues to play an active role in the community by employing area residents, giving thousands of tours to park visitors annually, and housing an internationally recognized physics lab on the 27th (lowest) level of the mine. The mine’s notable history and continuing significance made preserving its archival collection and history imperative. This project achieved these goals and paved the way for future historical and industrial research.

Mine Structure and History Studies

The Soudan Mine, 90 miles north of Duluth, and the first iron mine in Minnesota, began extracting ore in 1882 and operated until 1962 when US Steel ceased production. 10,000 Lakes Archaeology researched Minnesota’s iron industry and the Soudan Mine’s No. 8 Engine House. The Engine House contains a considerable amount of historic machinery, much of which remains operational and regularly used. This study included the examination of primary documents such as letters, engineering drawings, and maps, as well as secondary documents such as local histories, manuscripts, and books. In addition to the extensive documentary research, oral interviews with mine workers and local residents added significantly to the understanding of the Soudan Mine and surrounding community. These interviews shed light on the mine’s place in the community as well as the No. 8 Engine House’s mechanical and technical processes. Ultimately, this study placed the Soudan Mine within a global context and allowed for a greater understanding of the region’s social, political, and economic development as well as its overall history.