The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-09-07
HARDWARE FIRM
GIVES ELY BOOST

In the Hickory News Supplement
which was issued on August 18th, the
Kelley How-Thompson mpany,
wholesale hardware concern OF Duluth,
has something to say OF Ely. AS the
magazine .circulateS in all parts OF the
Northwest, the story will prove ex-
cellent advertising for this section OF
the country. Hickory, says:
Ely, MinnesOta-"Where The Wild
derness Begins"
ely, with a population of 5000, on
the Vermilion Iron Ranged Is lit miles
from Duluth. 1t is served by one rail-
road giving adequate passenger service,
and it may be reached from Duluth by
several different highways, some OF
which are paved for most OF the dis
lance, the others being high grade
gravel. "a.
THE city was established some forty
years ago as mining camp. Mining
is still its principal industry, and some
1000 men are employed in its under
ground mines. The mines-the prlncl-
pal ones being the Pioneer, Zenltn,
Slbley and Chandler, are world-1am-
GUS. as they have been producing as
high grade iron ore as any mines thru
out the world for a period OF over
forty years. The grade of this ore IS
much higher than that from the
Mesaba Range. Long before the
Mesaba Iron Range was discovered,
these mines were producing.
ely has grown and proSpered, and
altho it may still be termed a mining
city, vet there are few mining clue'
the world over that can compare with
it for modern buildings, improvements
and cleanliness. Perhaps the most
notable of its public buildings is the
Memorial High School recently COM
pleted at a cost of 81 900, 900, and dedi-
Gated to the Ely boys who gave their
lives during the World War.
LAS a mining city Ely is unusual,
and is an interesting point particularly
to those engaged in the mining bust
ness. To the average tourist the min
ing does not appeal particularly, and
Ely's main interest to him is the fact
that it is the stepping-off place
the beginning-of the wilderness. The
immense country north and east is al
most the only remaining unbroken
forest in the United States.
ELY claims the unique distinction CT
being one of the few real frontier
towns. Immediately north Of it is 10
Gated the Superior National Forest,
which was established thru the inter
est of former President Roosevelt.
This forest contains some 100000
acres of land. Immediately adjoining
it to the north in Canada is the Quetico
Provincial Forest, also containing sew
ecal million acres Of land.
Starting at the very doorstep of Ely
are the canoe trails which radiate
thruout this unspoiled country. Some
of the routes have been famous for
generations, as they were used by fur
trappers, Indians and missionaries.
Hundreds of lakes and rivers may be
reached on these canoe trips. Portages
are often necessary, but are well mark.
ed. The country abounds with wild
game of all kinds which thrive, as
hunting is not allowed in either the
Canadian or American park. Fishing
is permitted.
There are but few highways thru
this wilderness, so the main method
of travel is on the waterways by canoe.
Within one hour from Ely one leaves
all traces of civilization behind. There
are several different routes to choose
from, any one of which will mean an
unforgetable trip in country un-
surpassed for its beauty. One may
visit for instance Lake LaCroix, which
evidently for many generations has
been a main water route-for on the
rocks of the shore today may be seen
figures and crude emblems made by