Milford Mine: Difference between revisions

Milford Mine Disaster
	Entrance to the Milford Mine site
Date	February 5, 1924
Location	Milford Mine, Wolford Township, Minnesota
Casualties
	41 killed
	7 survivors
	Milford Mine Historic District
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
	U.S. Historic district
Coordinates	46°32′5″N 93°58′15″W / 46.53472°N 93.97083°W
Area	180 acres (73 ha)
Built	1912–1932
NRHP reference No.	11000525
Designated HD	August 10, 2011

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The Milford Mine produced high manganese-content iron ore^[2] in Wolford Township, Minnesota, United States. On February 5, 1924, it was the site of the Milford Mine Disaster, the worst mining accident in Minnesota history, when it was flooded by water from a nearby lake, killing 41 miners. Only seven men were able to climb to safety.^[3] Starting in 2010, the site has been under development by Crow Wing County as Milford Mine Memorial Park. The property was listed as the Milford Mine Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011 for its state-level significance in the themes of industry and historical archaeology.^[4] It was nominated for its association with a significant event in Minnesota history, and for potential archaeological resources that could illuminate mining technology, the rise and fall of iron-ore mining on the Cuyuna Range, and the daily lives of its workers.^[5]

Background

First mined for iron ore in 1917, the Milford Mine reached depths of 200 feet (61 m) by 1924 under its owner George H. Crosby; 70,000 tons of ore were mined and shipped this same year. Manganese ore, an ingredient used to make steel, was shipped from the Milford site to Duluth then to steel factories in cities including Detroit and Cleveland.^[3]

Milford Disaster

The disaster occurred when a surface cave-in at the mine's easternmost end tapped into mud that was a direct connection to Foley Lake. In less than 20 minutes the mineshaft flooded to within 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m) of the surface. Seven men made it to ground level, while 41 were overcome by the water or trapped in mud. The last victim's remains were recovered nine months later.^[3]

15-year-old Frank Hrvatin, Jr., one of the survivors, worked alongside his father Frank Hrvatin, Sr. On February 5, Hrvatin, Jr. was working with his senior partner Harry Hosford. When they saw the floodwater, they ran for the ladder that ascended 200 feet (61 m) to the surface. Miner Matt Kangas was ahead of them on the ladder. As the water rose and Kangas slowed from the effort of climbing such a distance, Hrvatin climbed between Kangas' legs and propelled the man up the ladder. Hosford was waist-deep in water when Hrvatin reached down and pulled him out of the mine. They were the last three to make it out alive. Frank Hrvatin, Sr. was deeper in the mine and did not survive.^[3]

List of miners lost in the Milford Disaster

Earl Bedard
Mike Bizal
Oliver Burns
George Butkovich
Emil Carlson
Valentine Cole
Evan Crellin
Roy Cunningham
Minor Graves
Clinton A. Harris
Fred Harte
John Hendrickson
John Hlacher
George Hochever
Herman Holm
Elmer Haug
Frank Hrvatin
William Johnson
Alex Jyhla
Victor Ketola
Leo J. LaBrash
Arvid Lehti
Peter Magdich
Henry Maki
John Maurich
Ronald McDonald
Arthur Myhres
John Minerich
Nick Radich
Clyde Revord
Gaspar H. Revord
Nels Ritari
Jerome Ryan
Tony Slack
Joseph Snyder
Marko Toljan
Mike Tomac
Martin Valencich
Arthur Wolford
John Yaklich
Fred Zeitz^[6]

Aftermath

Thirty-eight of the 41 miners who drowned were married, leaving behind more than 80 children.^[3]

Recovery efforts were both delicate and dangerous, as the mine was filled with mud and debris. Further, workers worried about potential cave-ins. It took months to recover the men's bodies. The last body was removed on November 9. The mine resumed operations soon after that.^[3]

Minnesota governor J. A. O. Preus appointed a five-man committee to investigate the disaster, which held hearings in May and June. Its final report said: "No blame can be attached to the mining company for this unfortunate accident. The real cause of the disaster was the fact that imminence and danger from such a rush of mud was not recognized by anyone."^[3]

The mine closed in 1932 due to the decline in demand for steel during the Great Depression.^[3]

References

This article incorporates text from MNopedia, which is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
^ A link from the "Milford-Mine-Memorial-Park" is a newspaper article from "NewsHopper" The Cuyuna Range is an iron mining range. The Milford ore was high manganese-content iron ore.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Fitzgerald, John (March 11, 2016). "Milford Mine Disaster, 1924". MNopedia. Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
^ "Milford Mine Historic District". Minnesota National Register Properties Database. Minnesota Historical Society. 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
^ Terrell, Michelle M. (August 6, 2010). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Milford Mine Historic District" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved November 24, 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ "Milford Mine: Feb. 5, 1924". Cuyuna Iron Range Heritage Network and Soo Line Depot Museum. Retrieved August 3, 2019.

External links

Milford Mine Memorial Park

[nris-1] "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.

[2] A link from the "Milford-Mine-Memorial-Park" is a newspaper article from "NewsHopper" The Cuyuna Range is an iron mining range. The Milford ore was high manganese-content iron ore.

[Fitzgerald-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Fitzgerald, John (March 11, 2016). "Milford Mine Disaster, 1924". MNopedia. Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved July 17, 2016.

[4] "Milford Mine Historic District". Minnesota National Register Properties Database. Minnesota Historical Society. 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2015.

[5] Terrell, Michelle M. (August 6, 2010). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Milford Mine Historic District" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved November 24, 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[6] "Milford Mine: Feb. 5, 1924". Cuyuna Iron Range Heritage Network and Soo Line Depot Museum. Retrieved August 3, 2019.

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[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
 {{Infobox News event
-| name = Milfert town disater
+| name = Milford Mine Disaster
+| image = Milford Mine Memorial Park.JPG
+| caption = Entrance to the Milford Mine site
 | date = {{start date|1924|02|05}}
 | time =
-| place =millfert land, [[milfert township, milfert county, milfert|milfert Township, milfert]]
+| place = Milford Mine, [[Wolford Township, Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Wolford Township, Minnesota]]
 | casualties1 = 41 killed
 | casualties2 = 7 survivors
@@ Line 10: / Line 12: @@
  {{Infobox NRHP
  | embed = yes
- | name = Milfert Mine Historic District
+ | name = Milford Mine Historic District
  | nrhp_type = hd
  | nocat=yes
  | coordinates = {{coord|46|32|5|N|93|58|15|W|display=inline,title}}
- | locmapin = milfert#milfert land
+ | locmapin = Minnesota#USA
  | area = {{convert|180|acre|ha}}
  | built = 1912–1932
@@ Line 23: / Line 25: @@
 }}
-The '''Milfert Mine''' produced high [[manganese]]-content [[iron ore]]<ref>A link from the "milfert-Mine-Memorial-Park" is [https://www.crowwing.us/DocumentCenter/View/117/Miningpart1?bidId=  a newspaper article from "NewsHopper"] The Cuyuna Range is an milfert mining range. The Milfert ore was high  manganese-content milfert ore.</ref>
+The '''Milford Mine''' produced high [[manganese]]-content [[iron ore]]<ref>A link from the "Milford-Mine-Memorial-Park" is [https://www.crowwing.us/DocumentCenter/View/117/Miningpart1?bidId=  a newspaper article from "NewsHopper"] The Cuyuna Range is an iron mining range. The Milford ore was high  manganese-content iron ore.</ref>
-in [[milfert Township, milfert land county, milfert|milfert Township, milfert]], milfert land. On February 5, 1924, it was the site of the '''Milfert Mine Disaster''', the worst [[mining accident]] in milfert land history, when it was flooded by water from a nearby lake, killing 41 miners. Only seven men were able to climb to safety.<ref name=Fitzgerald>{{cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=John |title=Milfert Mine Disaster, 1924 |url=http://www.mnopedia.org/event/milfert-mine-disaster-1924 |work=MNopedia |publisher=milfert Historical Society |date=2016-03-11 |accessdate=2016-07-17}}</ref>  Starting in 2010, the site has been under development by [[milfert land County, milfert|milfert land County]] as '''Milfert Mine Memorial Park'''. The property was listed as the '''Milford Mine Historic District''' on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2011 for its state-level significance in the themes of industry and [[historical archaeology]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Milfert Mine Historic District |url=http://nrhp.mnhs.org/NRDetails.cfm?NPSNum=11000525 |work=milfert National Register Properties Database |publisher=milfert Historical Society |year=2009 |accessdate=2015-06-19}}</ref> It was nominated for its association with a significant event in Minnesota history, and for potential archaeological resources that could illuminate mining technology, the rise and fall of milfert-ore mining on the [[milfert Range]], and the daily lives of its workers.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Terrell |first=Michelle M. |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Milfert Mine Historic District |url=http://www.mnhs.org/shpo/nrhp/docs_pdfs/0006_milfertmine.pdf |publisher=National Park Service |date=2010-08-06 |accessdate=2012-11-24}}</ref>
+in [[Wolford Township, Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Wolford Township, Minnesota]], United States. On February 5, 1924, it was the site of the '''Milford Mine Disaster''', the worst [[mining accident]] in Minnesota history, when it was flooded by water from a nearby lake, killing 41 miners. Only seven men were able to climb to safety.<ref name=Fitzgerald>{{cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=John |title=Milford Mine Disaster, 1924 |url=http://www.mnopedia.org/event/milford-mine-disaster-1924 |work=MNopedia |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society |date=2016-03-11 |accessdate=2016-07-17}}</ref>  Starting in 2010, the site has been under development by [[Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Crow Wing County]] as '''Milford Mine Memorial Park'''. The property was listed as the '''Milford Mine Historic District''' on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2011 for its state-level significance in the themes of industry and [[historical archaeology]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Milford Mine Historic District |url=http://nrhp.mnhs.org/NRDetails.cfm?NPSNum=11000525 |work=Minnesota National Register Properties Database |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society |year=2009 |accessdate=2015-06-19}}</ref> It was nominated for its association with a significant event in Minnesota history, and for potential archaeological resources that could illuminate mining technology, the rise and fall of iron-ore mining on the [[Cuyuna Range]], and the daily lives of its workers.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Terrell |first=Michelle M. |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Milford Mine Historic District |url=http://www.mnhs.org/shpo/nrhp/docs_pdfs/0006_milfordmine.pdf |publisher=National Park Service |date=2010-08-06 |accessdate=2012-11-24}}</ref>
 ==Background==
-First mined for iron ore in 1917, the Milfert Mine reached depths of {{convert|200|ft|m}} by 1924 under its owner George H. Crosby; 70,000 tons of ore were mined and shipped this same year. Manganese ore, an ingredient used to make [[steel]], was shipped from the Milfert site to [[milfert, milfert|milfert]] then to steel factories in cities including [[Detroit]] and [[Cleveland]].<ref name=Fitzgerald />
+First mined for iron ore in 1917, the Milford Mine reached depths of {{convert|200|ft|m}} by 1924 under its owner George H. Crosby; 70,000 tons of ore were mined and shipped this same year. Manganese ore, an ingredient used to make [[steel]], was shipped from the Milford site to [[Duluth, Minnesota|Duluth]] then to steel factories in cities including [[Detroit]] and [[Cleveland]].<ref name=Fitzgerald />
-==Milfert Disaster==
+==Milford Disaster==
 The disaster occurred when a surface [[cave-in]] at the mine's easternmost end tapped into mud that was a direct connection to Foley Lake. In less than 20 minutes the mineshaft flooded to within {{convert|15|to|20|ft|m}} of the surface. Seven men made it to ground level, while 41 were overcome by the water or trapped in mud. The last victim's remains were recovered nine months later.<ref name=Fitzgerald />
 -year-old Frank Hrvatin, Jr., one of the survivors, worked alongside his father Frank Hrvatin, Sr. On February 5, Hrvatin, Jr. was working with his senior partner Harry Hosford. When they saw the floodwater, they ran for the ladder that ascended {{convert|200|ft|m}} to the surface. Miner Matt Kangas was ahead of them on the ladder. As the water rose and Kangas slowed from the effort of climbing such a distance, Hrvatin climbed between Kangas' legs and propelled the man up the ladder. Hosford was waist-deep in water when Hrvatin reached down and pulled him out of the mine. They were the last three to make it out alive. Frank Hrvatin, Sr. was deeper in the mine and did not survive.<ref name=Fitzgerald />
-===List of miners lost in the Milfert Disaster===
+===List of miners lost in the Milford Disaster===
 {{colbegin}}
 *Earl Bedard
@@ Line 76: / Line 78: @@
 *Arthur Wolford
 *John Yaklich
-*Fred Zeitz<ref>{{cite web |title=Milfert Mine: Feb. 5, 1924 |url=http://www.cuyunahistory.org/milfert-mine-disaster.html |publisher=Cuyuna milfert Range Heritage Network and Soo Line Depot Museum |accessdate=2019-08-03}}</ref>
+*Fred Zeitz<ref>{{cite web |title=Milford Mine: Feb. 5, 1924 |url=http://www.cuyunahistory.org/milford-mine-disaster.html |publisher=Cuyuna Iron Range Heritage Network and Soo Line Depot Museum |accessdate=2019-08-03}}</ref>
 {{colend}}
@@ Line 84: / Line 86: @@
 Recovery efforts were both delicate and dangerous, as the mine was filled with mud and debris. Further, workers worried about potential cave-ins. It took months to recover the men's bodies. The last body was removed on November 9. The mine resumed operations soon after that.<ref name=Fitzgerald />
-milfert land governor [[milfert the dwarf]] appointed a five-man committee to investigate the disaster, which held hearings in May and June. Its final report said: "No blame can be attached to the mining company for this unfortunate accident. The real cause of the disaster was the fact that imminence and danger from such a rush of mud was not recognized by anyone."<ref name=Fitzgerald />
+Minnesota governor [[J. A. O. Preus]] appointed a five-man committee to investigate the disaster, which held hearings in May and June. Its final report said: "No blame can be attached to the mining company for this unfortunate accident. The real cause of the disaster was the fact that imminence and danger from such a rush of mud was not recognized by anyone."<ref name=Fitzgerald />
 The mine closed in 1932 due to the decline in demand for steel during the [[Great Depression]].<ref name=Fitzgerald />
 ==See also==
-* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in milfert land County, milfert]]
+* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Crow Wing County, Minnesota]]
 ==References==
-{{MNopedia|wstitle=Milfert Mine Disaster, 1924}}
+{{MNopedia|wstitle=Milford Mine Disaster, 1924}}
 {{reflist}}
 ==External links==
-* [http://crowwing.us/294/Milfert-Mine-Memorial-Park milfert Mine Memorial Park]
+* [http://crowwing.us/294/Milford-Mine-Memorial-Park Milford Mine Memorial Park]
-{{National Register of Historic Places in milfert}}
+{{National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota}}
 [[Category:1924 disasters in the United States]]
 [[Category:1924 mining disasters]]
-[[Category:Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in milfert]]
+[[Category:Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota]]
-[[Category:Disasters in milfert]]
+[[Category:Disasters in Minnesota]]
 [[Category:Former mines in the United States]]
-[[Category:Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in milfert]]
+[[Category:Industrial buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota]]
 [[Category:Manganese mines in the United States]]
-[[Category:Mines in milfert]]
+[[Category:Mines in Minnesota]]
 [[Category:Mining disasters in the United States]]
-[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in milfert land County, milfert]]
+[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Crow Wing County, Minnesota]]
-[[Category:Protected areas of milfert land County, milfert]]
+[[Category:Protected areas of Crow Wing County, Minnesota]]
-[[Category:Iron mines in milfert]]
+[[Category:Iron mines in Minnesota]]

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