Oliver Mining Co. Headquarters / Oliver Shop Laboratory
Oliver Mining Co. Headquarters
This building was the heart of the Oliver operation, the largest iron ore mining operation in United States history. The Superintendent of Mines and his staff made the day-to-day mining decisions here, and they were supported by a staff that handled clerical work, payroll, record keeping, hiring and firing, and other administrative functions.
Oliver Shop Laboratory
When the ore was mined, samples were crushed into fined particles and brought to this building. Chemists examined the ore, and determined its iron content from which the price of the ore was calculated and also how it would be processed to make steel. The samples were then put in containers and cataloged according to where the ore was mined and the percentage of iron. The containers were then stored in sample houses behind the laboratory.
(Caption) First row: sample houses and sample crushing building. Second row: oil house, garage and acid building.
Marker is at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Mine View/Penobscot Road, on the left when traveling north on 1st Avenue.
Courtesy hmdb.org
