MARQUETTE — The Iron Ore Heritage Recreation Authority is embarking on a new destination project along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail–the Carp River Kiln Gateway Plaza.

It will feature the restored Carp River Kiln, shown above, that collapsed in 2016. The kiln will be within a plaza like setting and include benches, interpretive signs, artwork, lighting, landscaping, and a kiln door donor wall.

A kick off fundraiser will take place at the Iron Bay Taproom in Marquette from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday. The Iron Bay Restaurant will be donating proceeds from that day to the project.

“We feel it’s part of trail building to develop destinations along the trail and keep interpreting the iron ore story that provided so much to this community,” said Carol Fulsher, administrator of the IOHRA, in a news release.

“Our board members felt it was important to resurrect the kiln and include it within this new plaza near the mouth of the Carp River. That site once hosted the Carp River Blast Furnace that manufactured pig iron using our local ores. It’s a big part of our local story.”

Joe Constance, owner of the Iron Bay Restaurant and Drinkery agreed: “Marquette has done a great job in preserving our historic buildings and structures that were built with iron and shipping money. Resurrecting the Carp River Kiln and featuring it within a plaza setting allows people to see it up close and learn more about our history. We’re happy to be a part of the project and we hope you come out to see and hear more about the restoration.”

The Iron Ore Heritage Trail is a 47-mile, multi-use, rail trail crossing the Marquette Iron Range from Chocolay to Republic. For more information on the trail and the Carp River Kiln project, contact IOHRA at 906-235-2923 or ironoreheritage@gmail.com.