Milford Mine

The Milford Mine, located in Wolford Township, Minnesota, was a significant iron-ore mining site known for its high manganese-content ore. It gained notoriety for the Milford Mine Disaster on February 5, 1924, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 41 miners when the mine flooded due to a cave-in. This disaster remains the worst mining accident in Minnesota's history. Today, the site is being transformed into Milford Mine Memorial Park, recognized for its historical importance and archaeological potential. The mine, which operated from 1917 until its closure in 1932, played a crucial role in supplying manganese ore for steel production, shipping materials to major cities like Duluth, Detroit, and Cleveland. The area is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it a point of interest for both tourists and researchers exploring the history of mining and its impact on local communities.