Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine, Open-pit iron mine and National Historic Landmark in Hibbing, Minnesota, US
Hull-Rust-Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine is a large open-pit iron ore mine and National Historic Landmark located in Hibbing, Minnesota. The pit stretches roughly 3 miles (5 km) long, 2 miles (3 km) wide, and over 500 feet (150 m) deep, with layered walls of red and brown rock visible from the viewing area.
The mine opened in the late 1800s as one of the first large open-pit operations on the Mesabi Range, shifting away from underground tunnel mining. Its iron ore deposits proved so rich that parts of Hibbing were physically moved in the early 1900s to make room for the expanding excavation.
The site has a visitor center and a viewing area at the mine's edge, offering a clear look into the pit without needing to descend. Visiting on a clear day gives the best view of the layered walls and the full scale of the excavation.
To make room for the expanding mine, entire buildings in Hibbing were rolled on logs and pulled by horses to a new location about 2 miles (3 km) away, making it one of the rare cases of a town being physically relocated in American history. Some larger structures were cut into sections to move them more easily.
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