Iron ore was discovered at the site of the present day Soudan Underground Mine State Park in 1865 during Minnesota's own gold rush. However, due to the lack of refining technology, mining did not begin until 1882. On July 31, 1884, the first shipment of iron ore ever produced in the State of Minnesota was shipped from the Soudan Mine on the Vermilion Range to Two Harbors, on Lake Superior. This event marked the birth of Minnesota's famous "Iron Range." The mine was operated as an open pit mine until about 1892. At this point in history, it was discovered that the ore body they were mining was heading almost straight into the ground, vertical rather than horizontal. The deep open pit mines were very dangerous and as a result they started using underground mining techniques in the hope of reducing injuries and the loss of life they were experiencing. It turned out that underground operations indeed were much safer, so much so that the Soudan mine earned the nickname of the "Cadillac of Underground Mines." Additional facts which contributed to the safety of the Soudan include the lack of dangerous gases. The mine tunnels pierce a rock formation that is so old that it does not hold any type of gas producing organic materials. The rock body is so incredibly hard that shoring was not needed, as a result mud slides and cave-ins were unheard of. The mine also has "natural fresh air ventilation, eliminating the need for fans. Underground horizontal cut and fill mining is the method used unitl the mine ceased operation in December of 1962. In 1965 the owners of the mine, the U. S. Steel Corporation, donated the mine to the State of Minnesota.

Today, the Soudan Mine is a National Historic Landmark owned and operated by the State of Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources. Soudan Mine's mission is to preserve and display the very first iron mine in the state and the cultural heritage of the men and women who came to this are to seek a new life in America.