Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine

This is what Hibbing is all about. The immense lunar desert landscape stretching out before us is awe-inspiring. Between red and grey, the ground has been dug, drained and dried, and the ore extracted, tirelessly, for over a hundred years. Hibbing was built on this mine, and we drive through the old town to the viewpoint. Nothing remains of Old Hibbing. A park, Bennett Park, has been installed and a few historical signs refresh memories. We drive through Old Hibbing, an old town of which nothing remains, to get here. Bennett Park has been built over it, and a few historical signs placed. We learn that the town was moved in the early ^20th century to facilitate mining. The inhabitants gave in to the mining company, but demanded that it build them beautiful buildings in exchange for the forced relocation. That's why downtown Hibbing is so charming. In 2017, the viewing site was moved to allow Hibbing Taconite to continue its work under the hill. After a period of inaccessibility, a new, completely redesigned panoramic observatory opened in spring 2019 almost a year late. On a clear day, the view extends for 65 kilometers around. Although the end of operations seems near, the mine continues to fascinate with its immensity and history, emblematic of industrial Minnesota.