Iron Mountain, Mich. (WZMQ) – Dickinson County’s Iron Mountain Iron Mine opened for the season today, and it’s got a brand-new “Big John”. It stays at a comfortable but chilly 43 degrees in the tunnel year-round, perfect for getting a break from that summer heat. Iron Mine manager Karen Carollo-Secinaro was proud to announce all the exciting updates.
“Well, we’ve just been trying to update, and actually throughout this year and next year you will see updates. At the end of the year last year we rebuilt Big John. He stood there for 32 years without being touched, and we actually had to as we were tearing him down, we had to tear him all down, so there are four ‘Big John’s’ out there.” commented Carollo-Secinaro.
The Iron Mine saw over a hundred visitors from at least 5 different states on its first day of the season, and tour guides are recommending visitors wear appropriate footwear and a light jacket for the tour.
“Well, today’s our first day of the season and this is our 65th year. I’ve been actually managing for 10 years, and I’m very proud to be able to manage because this is my dad’s mine. He is the one who discovered it back in 1956 with his brother, and another gentleman. The three of them got together and they renovated the tunnel. It took two years for the first walking tour in 1958,” explained Carollo-Secinaro.
“I do expect tomorrow and the next day to be very busy. Of course on Monday everybody’s going home, and our big season is July and August,” noted Carollo-Secinaro about the busy holiday weekend.
“This is our heritage, and this is an authentic mine. And I feel that we have an excellent tour. My guides are the best, and I think everyone should come and see how our miners mined back in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s because they worked hard,” she added.
For more information on how to take a tour, visit:
