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There were five open mine test pits dug by the Gunflint Iron Company in the 1890's. The company's main financial backer was John Paulsen for whom the mine is named after. The investors were mostly looking for iron, but also gold, nickel and silver. The mine went bust after only a few years of operation and most of the money invested in it was lost.
The various mine pits of the Paulsen Mine complex can be seen from the 2:10 mark to the 10:45 mark of this video. This video shows the section of the Centennial Trail/Kekekabic Trail between the Gunflint Lookout Tower spur and the Centennial Trail/Kekekabic Trail split.
Some history of the Paulsen Mine and the Port Arthur, Duluth and Western Railroad that supported it. The images below show the five test pits. There was actually a sixth test pit that is at the far western end of the Centennial Trail, just across the creek from where it splits with the Kekekabic Trail. That was the only ore mining pit that was next to what was the Port Arthur, Duluth and Western Railroad.
Sign along the combined Centennial Trail/Kekekabic Trail.
