The Former Iron Mine and Town of Vulcan in the U.P.
Way over to the west side of the Upper Peninsula in Dickinson County near Iron Mountain is the former mining town of Vulcan.
It was here in 1872 that Dr. Nelson Hulst explored the area, seeking perfect land for mining for the Milwaukee Iron Company. On this land he developed the Vulcan Mine (named after the Greek god of metal). In 1877, a village was founded, keeping the name ‘Vulcan’, and with that, a railroad station was implemented along the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.
These days, there is a baseball diamond – Vulcan Lions Field – with many acres of woods behind, that is said to contain the ruins of an old mine. Explorers say if you stand in front of the ball field looking north, the mining buildings are in the woods to the right of the driveway.
But are they the ruins of a mine or just some other type of underground tunnels?
Some say it's Native American mine tunnels, some say copper or iron mine shafts. And then there are others who confuse this area with the Iron Mountain Iron Mine tunnels that's located in the same area. Either way, there are underground tunnels in both locations...the main difference is, with the Iron Mountain mine tunnels, you go on a guided tour 400 feet below the earth's surface. If there are any tunnels behind the ball field, you're taking a big risk.
Scroll down a way and see a few old photos of the town of Vulcan and the former mine...