June 1992

Cranberry Iron Mine Interior

Most of the mine has these spray painted markings showing the areas of rich and lean ore. There are also numbers painted regularly indicating distance from the entrance that correlate to numbers on maps from when the original mine was operating. The original mine shut down in about 1929. The later operation was from the early 60s, although there was a government exploration during WWII to assess the economic feasibility of opening up the mine to ore production. Because of more easily accessible ore in open pit mines the reopening of Cranberry was rejected.

I wish I knew who made these markings of the ore veins, I get the idea it was done after the 60s operation was out of there.