Milford Mine operated at this location from 1918 to 1932, producing superior-grade ore containing manganese for hard, durable steel. In 1924, more than 100 people worked there in two shifts around the clock. Like other mines on the Cuyuna Range, it faced constant water seepage from the region's many lakes and wetlands, requiring pumps to run continuously. On February 5, 1924, forty-eight miners were underground when water and mud flooded into the mine about fifteen minutes before the end of the day shift, filling all mining levels and the 200-foot shaft to within fifteen feet of the surface in less than twenty minutes. Only seven miners reached the surface, and the event became the worst mining disaster in Minnesota history. The site is recognized for its association with this significant historical event and for the important archaeological and historical information it provides for present and future study.