Staff will be available by phone, email, and website during normal business hours. Im actually sad about the demolition of this ore dock. These developments caused the old wooden duluth, south shore and atlantic railway ore dock built in 1898 to become obsolete. This photo shows you what an oldtime ore dock built by the lake shore looked like. Carlo kumpula has written the definitive book on the historic, oneclass, high school.
Dan prothero dropped a 100pound circular saw on his foot and lacerated it so badly that his toes had to be amputated. It has a fine harbor, large enough to float the heaviest fleets. About our newspapers explore our physical and digital collections of newspapers, which is the second largest collection of newspapers in the u. An ore dock is a large structure used for loading ore onto ships, which then carry the ore to.
Ore docks are mentioned in popular culture, at least one high school athletic team, the ashland, wisconsin oredockers takes their name from them, and they have been mentioned in song. Follow the action and hear from friends, experts and fellow fans. The problem with shipping coal from an ore dock is subtle, but easy to understand. The harbor of ashland was dominated by the massive wisconsin central railway later soo line ore dock, built in 1916 to load iron ore mined in the area into freighters bound for industrial ports in the midwest, such as ashtabula, ohio, where steel was produced. The city of ashland wisconsin is closing all city beaches, docks and piers now through may 5 th. The 2,000 long, 66 wide base of the ashland oredock is envisioned to be the shining jewel of the citys recreational areas along the.
Fleet admiral william leahy was raised in ashland and graduated from ashland high school in 1892. Ashland is the historic mural capital of wisconsin and boasts more than a dozen murals depicting historical subjects such as lumberjacks, railroad history, storefronts and the former massive ore dock. The book across the bay ski race is held every year in february. Sep 23, 2012 the ore dock in ashland was once one of the largest in the world and a defining manmade landmark in the city.
Historical magazines and a dvd of the history of the ore docks are viewable at the ahsm located at 509 main st w in ashland. Ashland is the seat of ashland county and the commercial hub of the region. Former gnbn allouez ore docks built by the great northern railroad, these ore docks were modified to load taconite pellets later in their service lives and were the main boat loading facilities for. Northern wisconsin academy, which is now northland college, opened in ashland harbor in 1892. There will be no smelting at ashland city public beaches, docks or piers now through may 5 th. From the soo line ore dock to northland college to the beautiful lake superior, there is plenty of information on anything a. Ashland is a city in ashland and bayfield counties in the u. These docks, the largest in the world, consist of three structures of concrete and steel.
The ore was bought to ashland from the mines by rail and it was here that the ore was transferred to the great lakes ore boats. Lake superior is known for its fresh water and the ashland marina reflects this clean tradition. Ashland ore dock less beaten paths of america travel blog. Ashland is situated on a plateau, about thirty feet above the level of the lake, on the south shore of the chequamegon bay. It was built at the west end of 112 mile long breakwater, in the middle of the harbor, at ashland, wi to guide ships into this once important iron ore shipping center. Early history of ashland wisconsin historical society. Ashland ore dock photograph wisconsin historical society. Former wastewater treatment plant and historic soo line ore dock target areas introduction reiss coal dock target area clarkson dock target area plan history and progress this update to the ashland waterfront plan traces its history back to a planning process initiated by the city in 1993.
Soo line ashland ore dock posted august 14, 2016, by russ sooironrange at yahoo dot com the dock pictured is the exnorthern pacific dock in superior, wi. Local history is preserved at the northern wisconsin historical center. History and photography of ashland s last ore dock. The original hotel met its demise by fire on new years day in 1958. Sah archipedia tells the story of the united states through its buildings. History of northern wisconsin ashland county, 1881 pages 6670. The dock, however, is slowly disappearing as work crews remove the structure, seen here from the bell tower of ashland s city hall. Ive been in ashland many times and the dock was always an amazing sight to. Spinster books is trying to carry books in a range of prices so that everyone can find something great to read. Ore cars were sized to line up for ore pockets, which are always spaced 12 feet apart. Whitepages provides the top free people search and tenant screening tool online with contact information for over 250 million people including cell phone numbers and complete background check data compiled from public records, white pages and other directories in all 50 states. Known as the historic mural capital of wisconsin, ashland s pride in its rich history is evident in its 20 vibrant murals highlighting a particular aspect of the citys colorful past, depicting subjects ranging from the citys lumberjacks and military veterans to its railroads, storefronts and former massive ore dock. Ore dock of the milwaukee, lake shore, and western railroad, with a pile of logs in the foreground and docked ships in the background. Smelt fishing report ashland county wisconsin tourism.
The demand for iron ore grew, faster dispatch of vessels was necessary, and larger rail cars and the number of more powerful locomotives for transporting the ore from mines to the docks increased with improved technology. Today, the ashland historical society museum collects and preserves items directly connected with the history of ashland, wis. The vast majority of our new books are priced at 45% off the publishers price. The top portion of the mural is a to scale painting of the ore dock itself, including every properly numbered ore chute. White coffee cup with image of the ashland, wisconsin oredock mural. The oredock was used by the soo line railroad to transport upper michigan iron ore to the ships waiting in ashland s harbor. Questions or comments, please call the parks and recreation office at 7156827059 or message on the city of ashland s facebook. The ore dock in ashland was once one of the largest in the world and a defining manmade landmark in the city. Visit our great lake destinations fun options and discovery.
Search the wisconsin historical societys vast family history collections, which are among the top five for genealogy research in the u. The high school sports teams are called ore dockers and generations have made their livelihood at the 1800footlong, sevenstoryhigh structure. The ashland ore dock take two 100 year ore dock anniversary celebration this ashland wi ore dock located on the bay of chequamegon the ashland ore dock ashland wisconsin rppc ore docks under construction 19457988. This was the website for the ashland historical society museum for a number of years, starting in 2004 when the museum was still located at 509 west main street in ashland, wi. This is the oldest section of the dock that was built in 1916 and then lengthened to 1,800 feet in 1925. The village stretches along the shore for two miles. The concrete structure of the ore dock in ashland glows as the sun sets across lake superiors chequamegon bay. Ashlands ore docks were designed to transfer bulk cargo from rail cars to large ships, which. Jan 15, 20 a last ditch effort to save a portion of one of the largest ore docks in the world has lots of hope but not much money.
Looking for a link, a location, a place to eat or stay on lake superior. All material on the ore dock was removed, down to the concrete base. This mural depicts the ashland ore dock, which was built in 1916. Wish i had taken more photos of it the last time i was up there because i heard it was recently demolished, which is kind of a shame but understandable. Ashland white pages phone books in wisconsin wi whitepages. Dominating the lake front of the wisconsin city of ashland is the old ore dock. Birdseye view map of ashland, wisconsin, drawn by c. This is the ore dock in ashland, wi being torn down.
Our 121 slip marina includes washrooms with showers, fuel and pumpout, water, electricity, the marina office and ship store, and a dock attendant. While not one of the apostle islands lighthouses, the ashland breakwater light is located in nearby chequamegon bay. The ashland marina is located at the foot of ellis avenue north on lake superiors chequamegon bay. City of ashland wisconsin ashland, wi official website. Ive been in ashland many times and the dock was always an amazing sight to see. Manufacturing industry and labor recollection wisconsin. A pictorial tour of historic 2nd street, now main street, in ashland, wi showing historic photographs and more recent pictures on a dvd. Ore dock of the milwaukee, lake shore and western railway. When built in 1916, ashland s 1,800 foot oredock was the largest concrete dock in the world. Project to rid polluted sediments begins in historic harbor. This is the old iron ore dock at ashland, wisconsin. Great northern railway ore docks of lake superior photo.
Ore docks are mentioned in popular culture, at least one high school athletic team, the ashland, wisconsin oredockers takes their name. From the soo line ore dock to northland college to the beautiful lake superior, there is plenty of information on anything a visitor or longtime resident might want to know. The ore dock has been an ashland wisconsin icon since its construction in 1916. While it is known that at least eight different native american tribes have lived along the chequamegon bay, it was the ojibwe tribe that welcomed the first europeans who arrived. Enjoy lunch downtown and then take in a selfguided mural tour. Great northern railway ore docks of lake superior photo archive douglass d addison sr on. This asset cemented two harbors pivotal role in minnesotas early iron industry. The ferry route becomes a highway for cars to drive across the bay in the winter. Dock 3, the alltimber, was phased out of service in 1958 and dismantled in 1965, while dock 4, the shortest dock, was probably shipping coala bad idea. Oct 31, 2010 me and savannah walked down to the base of the ashland oredock october 30, 2010. Until the mid1960s, iron ore mined in the upper peninsula of michigan was shipped from this dock. Mar, 2020 today, the ashland historical society museum collects and preserves items directly connected with the history of ashland, wis. Ore dock located on the bay of chequamegon bay in ashland wisconsin. Ashland county, wisconsin genealogy trails history group.
To build the current hotel, wood salvaged from the nearby ore docks was used. Chapple ave main street ellie ave us 2 west marine club us 2 east chapple ave. Built of concrete and steel, it was constructed by the minneapolis, st paul and sault st marie railroad the soo line in 1915. In july, liftoff aerials sent the pdd drone up to have a birdseye view of the old concreteandsteel structure. Aug 02, 2015 this is the ore dock in ashland, wi being torn down. A train of railroad cars filled with ore was pulled on to the top of the dock and dumped its cargo into the 300 storage pockets underneath the rails. Ashland historical society museum collections hosted by the.
A historical marker noting this is located at maslowski beach on u. Where can find ashland county birth, marriage, divorce and death records. Local history is preserved at the northern wisconsin. Travel itineraries ashland county wisconsin tourism. Soo line ore dock wisconsin central railroad ore dock. Northland college was founded as north wisconsin academy by the congregational church in 1892. Two ore docks, one in duluth, mn and one in two harbors, mn, are still in service and operated by canadian national railway. For teachers buildings of the united states book series uva press architecture books. It was the first on lake superior and the largest in the world at the time. Shear perfection is a full service hair studio for women and men and children of all ages. Ashland harbors muchused ore dock was scheduled for demolition in 2009 over the protests of community members who wanted to save the historic structure. The lake shore line took a leadership role in developing the ashland port. Shear perfection offers the absolute finest haircuts and color services in ashland.
Ashland newspaper stories in ashland county, wisconsin. Although many of the victorian antiques look like they came from the original hotel, those were burned, except for the lobby clock, which sits in the ashland museum. At one time, there were five such docks in ashland. While my family did not work on the ashland dock, they did work on all the superior docks, and my grandpa was also a gantry crane operator. Historic downtown ashland is characterized by the turnofthecentury brownstone buildings, unique shops, and distinct architectural styles. The last of what were once many such docks, the concrete structure is 80 feet 24 m high and 75 feet 23 m wide and in 1925 the. Thomas edwards returned home monday from waupaca, where he attended the state convention of good.
A multimilliondollar cleanup of ashland s harbor has started to remove toxic sediments from the shore of lake. The wisconsin historical society hours have changed. The city of ashland was officially incorporated in 1887. The wisconsin central railway later soo line ore dock in ashland, wisconsin 1,800 ft 550. It was in operation until the mid 1960s loading iron ore onto lake freighters. The longest dock is 2244 feet long, 80 feet high, and contains 374 individual pockets which can hold 100,000 long tons of ore, or 7 average trains of 205 cars each. The ashland historical society museums digital collection is a sampling of photographic collections depicting historic buildings in ashland, wisconsin and the chequamegon bay ore docks. Ashland, wi salvages history from what was once worlds largest ore dock. Wisconsin historical society citation wisconsin historical society, creator, title, image id. Soo line ore dock, ashland, wi history under ground. City salvages history from what was once worlds largest ore dock. For ashland, the 1916vintage soo line ore dock is part of its identity. The ore docks have significant part in two harbors history books.
State and local history archives recollection wisconsin. At loons foot landing in superiors allouez neighborhood, near the mouth of the nemadji river in the allouez bay channel, stands the remains of the northern pacific ore dock built from 1912. The city of ashland is closing its office to the public on thursday, march 19, 2020 until further notice. Known as the historic mural capital of wisconsin, ashlands pride in its rich history is evident in its 20 vibrant murals highlighting a particular aspect of the citys colorful past, depicting subjects ranging from the citys lumberjacks and military veterans to its railroads, storefronts and former massive ore dock. Soo line ore dock wisconsin central railroad ore dock sah. The great northern iron ore docks were the largest iron ore docks in the world. A multimilliondollar cleanup of ashland s harbor has started. Also driving by the lake nice shots of the catholic church, chequamegon hotel and the band shell. A book by tom stanley of the history of pulp hoisting operations in ashland, wisconsin. Oredock saloon ashland, wisconsin restaurant facebook. The former wisconsin central soo line ore dock was the iconic feature of ashland in regards to its representation of the economic impact on one of the citys founding industries, its visual impact to the cityscape, and its geographic impact to the communitys waterfront. Photographs and books documenting the history of the consolidated water power and paper company, later consolidated papers, inc. Northern pacific ore dock in allouez perfect duluth day. Now railfans and history buffs can see how these ore docks were constructed and operated through the historic photographs and illustrations in this book.
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