Mitchell-Tappan-House-Historical-001C
  • Our house was originally built for the Superintendent of the Oliver Iron Mining Company in 1897.
  • The town of Hibbing grew rapidly in its early years because of the huge iron ore mines.  About 1915 it was determined that some of the ore body actually went under the town.
  • Negotiations between the Oliver Mining Co. and the village finally brought about a plan whereby the entire city would relocate to a site two miles south.
  • In all, about 200 structures were moved, including the Mitchell-Tappan House, to the new city, starting in 1918.  The first phase was completed in 1921.  The last house was moved in 1968. That is why Hibbing is known as "The Town that Moved". 
  • The picture above is of the house circa 1920 from the collection of the Minnesota Historical Society.