David Battistel presented to a full crowd at Chik Wauk Museum and Nature Center. All photos by Tryg Solberg. 

By Tryg Solberg - Boreal Community Media - July 19, 2024

Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center hosted history teacher David Battistel this past Sunday as part of their summer speaker series. Battistel is based out of Thunder Bay, Canada, and has done extensive research on the railroad and mining history of the area. His research on the Paulson Mine started decades ago with a visit to the site; what is now the Centennial Trail. 

Battistel began by discussing the founding of the American Realty Company in 1887 by Kristian Kortgaard and John Paulson. This company's land acquisitions laid the groundwork for future developments.

The discovery of the Gunflint Iron Range, a substantial iron ore deposit extending beyond Thunder Bay, coincided with this land acquisition. Prospectors were drawn to the area's potential. To support this potential mining boom, a railway was authorized through the Gunflint Lake area from Thunder Bay. Construction began in 1889, and by 1892, the incorporation of the Gunflint Lake Iron Company fueled rising excitement for a future mining boom.

The “Panic of 1893” put a damper on the progress and optimism of the mine, which ultimately put a pause on its operation. A single artifact is said to have been produced from the mine: a horseshoe paperweight, which Battistel presented to the attendees. Within a few years, Kortgaard was arrested for embezzlement, and land was sold off. This artifact will be on display at Chik-Wauk through the summer. 

A revival of the railroad occurred in 1921 by the Palatine Company, but efforts were dropped and there haven't been any industrial efforts since. 

In 2009, The Centennial Trail was developed to honor the 100th anniversary of the Superior National Forest. The trail passes by some of the historic mine pits that were formerly explored, and remains open to the public. Battistel reminded visitors to respect the artifacts left at the site to keep its history visible to all. 

To learn more about the Paulson Mine and other North Shore history, visit David Battistel’s website here. 

Chik-Wauk will host its next two programs at the Seagull Community Center. This coming Sunday features Cary Griffith who will discuss his book Gunflint Falling, which recounts the infamous blowdown of 1999. 

To see past talks, visit Chik-Wauk’s YouTube channel here.

 David Battistel, a history teacher in Thunder Bay,  has been looking into the history of the Paulson Mine for over 25 years.

 The artifact was created from the Paulson Mine in 1893, just before its first closing.

 One of the exploration pits from the Paulson Mine can be seen along the Centennial Trail.

 Part of the Paulson Mine can be seen along the Centennial Trail.