Superior Adventures
Lake Superior adventures for the entire family
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Marquette Lower Harbor
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The Lower Harbor
adventure includes viewing the now inoperable ore dock and
Mattson Lower Harbor Park. Around the ore dock you will get the
chance to see the massive size
of the dock as well as some of the original docks used when the harbor first
opened. Mattson Lower Harbor was previously referred to as the "coal dock"
by many boaters as it was once a storage for the massive amounts of coal
shipped in by the many ore boats.
From 1856 to 1876, Marquette was an extremely important
Lake Superior port. It
was the only port that shipped the rich Lake Superior district iron ore. By
the 1870's, the docks were fitted with pockets and chutes for either steam
boats or sailing vessels. T
he
Cleveland Iron Mining Company's dock was 30 feet above the lake level and
was originally built with 29 vessel pockets and 6 steam boat pockets, but
was extended 350 feet in 1872. The extension provided room for 54 additional
pockets. During the 1873 season, the total tonnage of iron ore shipped from
the port of Marquette was 1,175,000 tons.
Another bright spot
of Marquette's lower harbor is its famous lighthouse. The present
lighthouse was constructed in 1866 and a second story was added in 1906. The
lighthou
se is the oldest significant structure in the
City of Marquette and more
importantly, the lighthouse is one of the most historic navigation beacons
on Lake Superior. It was critical to the development of the Great Lakes iron ore
trade. Until the opening
of the major Minnesota mines in the 1890s, Marquette was the premier
shipping port for iron ore on the Great Lakes and this Marquette beacon was
vital for the safe navigation of ships entering Marquette.
Please note that all trips are weather pending! The decision to cancel trips will be at the discretion of the Captain. If a trip is cancelled due to weather, you will have the option to reschedule or receive a refund.