Ardis Furnace
In ruins
1565 N. Stephenson Avenue, Iron Mountain, Michigan, Behind the Comfort Inn
Ruins of a prototype low-grade ore processing plant
Photos
Ardis Furnace Ruins
The rotating steel tube was tapered and mounted on an angle. This pier seems to have held the higher end of the tube.
Photo taken by J.R. Manning in July 2013
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Map
Coordinates:
+45.83756, -88.0525845°50'15" N, 88°03'09" W
Quadrangle map:Iron Mountain
Description
In 1908, John T. Jones invented a process to refine low-grade iron ore into a viable product. He built a long, steel tube, lined with fire brick, that rotated while heated. Although this particular prototype ran into severe difficulties and was dismantled, lessons learned helped refine the process as time went on. All that remains are these silent reminders of Jones' efforts.
National Register information
- Status
- Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 29, 1972
- Reference number
- 72000608
- Areas of significance
- Industry; Invention
- Level of significance
- State
- Evaluation criteria
- B - Person
- Property type
- Site
- Historic function
- Extractive facility
- Period of significance
- 1900-1924
- Significant year
- 1908
Update Log
- August 9, 2013: Updated by J.R. Manning: Corrected GPS Coordinates and added photos