St. Louis, MO: Iron Industry

I didn't realize that Missouri had iron ore, and thus a robust iron industry, until I saw this post.

Missouri History Museum posted

Dive into the rich history of iron in Southeastern Missouri’s Iron Range, stretching from St. James to Bonne Terre. Initially mined in 1826 by the Merrimac Iron Works, iron production soared in the 1850s, propelled by the region’s abundant resources. With the completion of the Iron Mountain Railroad, St. Louis emerged as the nexus for iron distribution, housing all seven iron rolling mills in Missouri by the late 1800s. From wrought iron to cast iron, the material found diverse applications, shaping everything from intricate fence railings to imposing architectural structures.

Among the key contributors to St. Louis’s iron industry was the Mesker Bros. Iron Works, renowned for its wholesale building facades and customized ironwork. Cast iron, particularly integral after the 1849 riverfront fire, became synonymous with the city’s resilient architectural landscape. 

Uncover more about iron's impact on St. Louis at the #ColoringSTL exhibit, open until September 2, 2024. Immerse yourself in the vibrant history of iron and color on the materials that shaped our city's architectural landscape. 🏗️🎨

Jake Jones: In all technicality the iron range extended much further than Bonne Terre. As far south as Poplar Bluff really. It was intertwined with the lead mining district at several locations. Iron Mountain (the reason for the Iron Mountain Railroad) and Pilot Knob (a reason for the construction of Fort Davidson) were a bit further south than Bonne Terre. Check out my page Missouri Mining History for some additional information on Iron mining in Missouri.

Derek Davison: St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway has some cool events.

https://www.slimrr.com/online-reservations

Steve Kehrer commented on the above post
Cool check this out!