Hist paper

Fine, you want sources here:

ranges.pdf?utm_source=copilot.com

Documenting early mapping and mineral assessments of northern Minnesota. These include early references to iron formations and the conditions that made discovery possible.This is not an academic source.

Mesabi Iron Range Geology & History Presentation

Minnesota territorial and state land records 1847-1815, which mapped the region and later helped identify mineral-rich areas.This is not an academic source.

Bi-MonthlyAd_5.11×10.5_01B_Mesabi.pdf

Minnesota Mine/Soudan Mine shipping records, 1884 onward, document the first commercial iron shipments from Minnesota. This document is the beginning of the region’s mining economy.This is not an academic source.

Mesabi Iron Range | MNopedia

A scholarly overview of the Mesabi Range’s development, including its long-term economic and cultural significance. This is not an academic source.

The people of the Mesabi Range [by] John Sirjamaki.

A sociological and historical study of the communities that formed around the mines, including demographic change, immigration, and labor. You may use this source, but it is from 1946thus, not up-to-date.

Provides geological background and mining history, including the timeline of discoveries across the region. This is not an academic sourcein fact, it is the same powerpoint and the same link to your first source at the top of this list.

For example, Twin Metal’s historical timeline outlines the early years of commercial mining in northeastern Minnesota, including the 1884 shipments and the rapid growth of mining towns like Ely. This is not an academic sourceand it is exactly the same flyer as your third source above.

Im drawn to the 1884 discovery of iron ore on the Mesabi Range because it represents a turning point where geology, industry, and human migration collided to reshape an entire region. The Mesabi discovery didnt just launch a mining districtit triggered rapid economic transformation in northern Minnesota, attracting workers, capital, and infrastructure almost overnight. m interested in how a single geological event can ripple outward into demographic change, community formation, and national industrial growth. Studying this moment helps me understand how natural resources influence settlement patterns, labor systems, and regional identity. It also connects to broader themes I care abouthow environments shape human societies, how economic booms alter landscapes, and how local histories tie into national narratives of industrialization.

Also, keep in mind I can’t always come to your office because I have to work on a daily basis. And last I checked, this email was the assignment. So, after reading all of this and giving you my topic, is it a yes or no for me to research, keep in mind we only have 3 months left in the semester.

Thanks,

Mason Raaen

Dear Mason:

If you cannot make my office hours, you are welcome, as I have said repeatedly, to make an appointment with me.

Your sources above are not academic sources, except for the one 1946 article I noted. Thus, you may not use any of them for your research. If we sit down together, then we can look at sources together and brainstorm together. If you were to base your paper on the sources above, it would not earn a passing grade.

I gave you seven out of ten points for the required one-on-one meeting with me because you have not circled back to see me about your topic. Because you have not had HIST 3010if I am remembering correctlyyou are at a disadvantage regarding this semester-long research paper. Thus, it is incumbent upon you to work with me to understand appropriate and acceptable sources for a university-level research paper for an upper division class in your major.

At the moment, I cannot authorize this topic because the sources are not there.

Dr. Cordery

From: Cordery, Stacy A [HIST] <>

Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2026 11:00 AM

To: Raaen, Mason G <>

Subject: Re: Topic for research project

Dear Mason

Why, why cant I get you to come see me in person about your topic? My job is to make sure that you have a topic that is actually doable for this course and for the time we have left.

You have not told me about your sources for this latest topic idea of yours. What have you found? What primary sources have you located? What secondary sources exist?

And why are you interested in this topic?

The task of settling on a topic is a critically important one. Doing it by email is a terrible idea because it is likely to result in a very frustrating time for both of us.

Either email me in great detail about your sources or come see me tomorrow before class.

Dr. Cordery

Stacy A. Cordery

Professor, Department of History

Iowa State University

Ames, IA 50010

She/her

From: Raaen, Mason G <>

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 10:56 AM

To: Cordery, Stacy A [HIST] <>

Subject: Topic for research project

I would want to research the 1884 Discovery of Iron ore on the Mesabi Range and its Immediate Economic Impact on Northern Minnesota. It would focus on the exact 1884 discovery near Mountain, how it triggered rapid town formation, Early investors, and land speculation. Let me know if you want me to narrow it down more or be more specific

Thanks,

Mason Raaen

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

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I need 5 sources for my paper that are academically reviewed to write a paper on