Located near the shores of Lake Michigan, the deteriorating brick walls of the Frankfort Iron Works stand as a testament to Michigan’s industrial past. Built in 1870, these ruins once housed a bustling iron smelter that processed ore mined from the Escanaba region of the Upper Peninsula. While often referred to as the Frankfort Ironworks, the site is actually situated in Elberta, across Betsie Lake from downtown Frankfort.
Initially, the ironworks utilized surrounding hardwood as fuel for its furnaces. However, the increasing demand for wood forced workers to venture deeper into the Michigan wilderness, ultimately leading to the cessation of production in 1883 due to fuel limitations.
The railroad subsequently acquired the property, repurposing it as a railcar loading facility for ferries. Buildings were converted into shops and a roundhouse for locomotive maintenance. The marine terminal remained operational until 1982. Today, the grounds are a part of Elberta’s Waterfront Park.
While the ruins are fenced off to prevent access due to the risk of falling bricks, visitors can still approach them for a closer view. Though I have visited Frankfort numerous times, I was unaware of this site’s existence until recently. I highly recommend a trip to the park for those traveling to the area.
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