Not “Just” Iron

By Deborah Davis

CASPIAN - In keeping with Erika’s theme of researching the story behind the names of local places, I went back to the basics. There is no name that is more used, nor more recognized than “Iron.” What makes this simple four-letter word worthy of being used in the name of our county, river, schools, businesses, organizations, associations, newspapers and events? 
I recently asked a group of fifth graders “Why is our county named Iron County?” They replied, “Because of the river.” So, I followed up with “Why was the river named the Iron River?” They guessed the obvious, replying “There was iron in the river.” But, when I asked if they knew why iron was important, they did not know what to say. Where does one start when trying to explain just how important iron is, not just historically, but to our everyday lives now?
In “The Michigan Book: A State Cyclopedia with Sectional County Maps, Alphabetically Arranged” by Silas Farmer, which was published in 1901, we find the following account regarding Iron County: “Was created and organized in 1885. It was so named because of the extensive deposits of iron ore contained in the county.” While this book did not break out how much iron ore came from Iron County specifically, it does state that for all of Michigan “In 1898 the total tonnage was one-third of the total product of the world.” The book lists that the total tonnage mined in 1898 was 7,380,319. Seven million tons marketed in one year alone.
But, more impressively, in ‘Men, Mines and Memories’ published in 2001 by the Iron County Museum, we can see that a list of the known amounts of ore shipped from Iron County exclusively from 1882-1978 is a total of 208,345,852 tons. That means that for the nearly 100-year history of iron ore mining our county produced a yearly average of just over 2 million tons. 
But, what does one do with 2 million tons of iron ore extracted from the Earth? Well, iron was and still is used in all areas of everyday life. Iron is used in the production of all forms of steel. It has been estimated that 98% of iron ore mined is used to make steel, and there are four main types of steel which are then classified into several other subcategories. So, what then do we use steel for?
Well, steel is used to build houses, office buildings, transportation, bridges, household appliances, medical instruments, hand tools, cutlery and so much more. From the tiny screws used to hold eyeglasses together to the beams needed to support the world’s tallest skyscrapers and beyond, steel is all around you. Since it is used in the construction of computers, cars, trains, ships and bridges, it is used to carry goods of all categories of industry across the world. Furthermore, since many nails, bolts, nuts, hinges and chains are also made of steel, we could say that our world is actually held together by the iron, converted to steel, that was mined right below our feet.
Seeing this very brief list of ways in which iron was crucial to the building of our nation both historically and to this day, we can start to see just how valuable the iron that was found in our county was.
But, even more precious than the metal itself are the countless lives that were directly impacted by the dangerous situations they encountered to dig out this resource. ‘Men, Mines and Memories’ states that over the course of the nearly 100 years of mining iron from our county 562 deaths were recorded.
Thousands more faced the hardships that were inherent in the prospect of mining. These men went hundreds of feet deep into the earth into dark, damp, dreary conditions day after day to harvest this treasure that both made our nation and broke their backs. In the earliest days, intrepid workers tied a single candle to their head, picked up their axe and descended into the darkest of tunnels to carve out this precious rock piece by piece.
Besides these brave miners, our county was filled with so many others supporting this booming business. From the families at home, to the various shopkeepers to the tavern owners, all played their part in making a thriving, hardy, determined set of communities held together through boom and bust, tragedy and triumph.
Today, their contribution to the literal formation and shaping of this place we call home is still all around. From the towns that sprang up, to the roads that follow the old railways, and the remnants of headframes, engine houses and other infrastructure still dotting the landscape the iron that brought so many here is still a living legacy connecting all who live here today to the many who traversed the thick woods of the past.
So, the next time you hear or see the word iron, take the time to consider all who sacrificed to mine the red rock that literally built our nation and carried us into the modern world. If you want to learn more, be sure to reach out to one of our many historical societies or plan a visit to the Beechwood Hall, Harbour House or the Iron County Museum this summer.