A Historical Guide to Iron Mountain, Kingsford, and Norway

1. Cornish Pumping Engine
The Cornish Pumping Engine in Iron Mountain, Michigan, is one of Dickinson County’s most famous historic landmarks. Built in the early 1900s to combat flooding in the deep Chapin Mine, this massive steam-driven machine was ordered from the E.P. Allis Company of Milwaukee and modeled after engines from Cornwall, England. Known as the largest steam-driven pumping engine ever built in the United States, it towers 54 feet tall with a 40-foot flywheel and once pumped thousands of gallons of water every minute to keep the mine dry. Today, the Cornish Pump stands proudly as the centerpiece of the Cornish Pumping Engine & Mining Museum, inviting visitors to step back in time, explore the region’s mining boom, and marvel at the ingenuity that powered an era.
Photo credit: Menominee Range Historical Foundation

2. Menominee Range Historical Museum
The Menominee Range Historical Museum in Iron Mountain offers an immersive journey into the life of the late 1800s and early 1900s on the Menominee Iron Range. Housed in the former Dry Building at 411 Kent Street (just across from the Glider Museum and Cornish Pump Museum), the museum features over 100 detailed exhibits – including a turn-of-the-century general store, barber shop, schoolroom, Native American artifacts, and even a moonshine still – that bring local history vividly to life. It’s more than a museum – it’s a step back in time that will leave you inspired by the stories of the people who built the region.
Photo credit: Menominee Range Historical Foundation

3. World War II Glider and Military Museum
Step into history at the World War II Glider and Military Museum in Iron Mountain, home to one of only seven fully restored CG-4A gliders in the world. Built locally in Kingsford during the war, this glider played a key role in airborne assaults, and the museum’s exhibits—from rare gliders and restored vehicles to uniforms and military artifacts spanning the Civil War to modern conflicts—bring the courage and innovation of WWII vividly to life. It’s an immersive experience for history buffs, aviation enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike.
Photo credit: Menominee Range Historical Foundation

4. Pine Mountain Ski Jump
Construction of the Pine Mountain Ski Jump in Iron Mountain began in 1937 and it stands as one of the tallest man-made ski jumps in the world at 176 feet. It has hosted the FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup and other international competitions, setting U.S. distance records of 140 meters in the 1996 World Cup event and 144 meters in the 2020 Continental Cup event. Visitors can access the observation deck, which provides views of the surrounding area up to 30 miles, and see the U.P. Veterans Memorial at the base. The site is a significant landmark in ski-jumping history and remains an important venue for competitive events.
Photo credit: Flickr

5. Iron Mountain Central Historic District
The Iron Mountain Central Historic District in Iron Mountain, Michigan, offers a captivating glimpse into the architectural and cultural evolution of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013, this district encompasses approximately 150 buildings, reflecting the city's rapid growth during the iron mining boom. Highlights include: Dickinson County Courthouse & Jail, Milwaukee Road Depot, Iron Mountain Junior High School, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
Photo credit: William J. Cummings

6. Millie Mine Bat Viewing Site
Step back into Iron Mountain’s mining past at the Millie Mine Bat Viewing Site, where history and nature meet in a truly unique way. Once part of the region’s bustling iron ore boom of the late 1800s, the Millie Mine’s abandoned shafts now serve as one of the largest bat hibernation sites in North America. From the viewing platform, visitors can take in the story of the mine while marveling at the thousands of bats that call it home each winter. It’s a rare chance to experience both the area’s rich heritage and its thriving wildlife in one unforgettable stop.
Photo credit: Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association

1. Ford Plant
Kingsford, Michigan, founded in 1923 and named after Edward G. Kingsford, grew rapidly thanks to Henry Ford’s expansion into the Upper Peninsula. Ford established a sawmill and parts plant to supply wooden components for his automobiles, sparking a population boom from just 40 residents to nearly 3,000 within a year. Edward Kingsford helped secure over 313,000 acres for the project, and Ford invested in homes, schools, and community infrastructure. The town also gave rise to Kingsford Charcoal, created from sawmill wood waste. Today, Kingsford thrives while preserving its heritage, with landmarks like Ford Airport, Ford Hospital, and Ford Park standing as reminders of its “Town that Ford Built” legacy.
Photo credit: William J. Cummings

2. Kingsford Charcoal
Kingsford Charcoal's history is intertwined with Henry Ford and his Model T production. Ford used wood waste from his sawmill to produce charcoal briquettes, initially selling them under the Ford brand. The company was later renamed Kingsford in honor of Edward G. Kingsford, who facilitated the land acquisition for Ford's sawmill and charcoal plant. Kingsford is now the leading charcoal manufacturer in the US, using over a million tons of reclaimed wood annually.
Photo credit: Menominee Range Historical Foundation

1. Jake Menghini Historical Museum
Step into the rich heritage of Norway, Michigan, at the Jake Menghini Historical Museum. Housed in a replica of a 19th-century Norwegian log home, the museum showcases fascinating exhibits on immigration, mining, logging, schools, and everyday life in the Norway-Vulcan area. With thousands of artifacts and photos collected by local historian Jake Menghini, this hidden gem brings the stories of pioneers, workers, and families to life—making it a must-visit for history lovers and curious travelers alike.
Photo credit: Downtown Norway

2. The Norway Spring
Norway Spring, a designated Michigan Historic Site, is a local gem celebrated for its pure, award-winning water—crowned the winner of a 2006 Regional Water Taste-off. Just off US-2, this artesian spring draws visitors from near and far to fill bottles and jugs with its crisp, refreshing flow. Open from April through September, the spring’s water bubbles over a stone-topped well first drilled in 1903 by the Oliver Mining Company—an unexpected treasure discovered during the search for iron ore.
Photo credit: Downtown Norway

3. Iron Mountain Iron Mine (in nearby Vulcan)
Iron Mountain Iron Mine invites you to step underground and experience the Upper Peninsula’s mining past firsthand. Descend 400 feet below the surface and explore 2,600 feet of tunnels on a guided tour, where you’ll discover how miners carved out millions of tons of iron ore that fueled America’s steel industry. With fascinating exhibits, massive mining equipment, and a family-friendly atmosphere, this historic site brings the story of the Menominee Iron Range to life.