Clifton–French River
Clifton, first townsite surveyed in the United States section of the North Shore, was platted
west of the mouth of the French River in 1855. The river was known to early explorers
as Riviere des Francais. Rumors of nearby copper deposits resulted in widespread prospecting
and townsite planning in the 1850s. Like many of the projected towns, Clifton never
developed. From 1864 to 1866, the French River Mining Company and the North Shore
Mining Company dug several exploratory shafts, but failed to locate profitable copper deposits.
Extensive lumbering operations were carried on here in the 1880s.
Erected by the St. Louis
County Historical Society in cooperation with the Minnesota Highway Department 1959
[Seals of the State of Minnesota Department of Highways and The Minnesota Historical Society]
Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 61 and Ryan Road (County Highway 50), on the right when traveling north on State Highway 61.
Courtesy hmdb.org
