Iron Mountain is an unincorporated community located in St. Francois County, Missouri, United States. It is situated approximately 90 miles (145 km) south of St. Louis and 6 miles (10 km) south of the county seat, Farmington, along Missouri Route 32.
History The community takes its name from Iron Mountain, a prominent elevation historically noted for its vast deposits of hematite (iron ore). Mining activity in the area dates back to the early 19th century. The St. Francois Mountains region, where Iron Mountain is located, was one of the earliest mining districts west of the Mississippi River.
A post office called Iron Mountain was established in 1846 and remained in operation until 1974. The community served as a shipping point for the Iron Mountain Railroad (later part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad), which was constructed in the 1850s to transport ore from the mines to the Mississippi River at Pilot Knob.
Geography Iron Mountain lies within the Saint Francois Mountains range of the Ozarks. The elevation of the community is approximately 1,000 feet (305 meters) above sea level. The eponymous Iron Mountain summit reaches an elevation of 1,342 feet (409 meters).
Economy and Land Use Historically, the economy was dominated by iron mining. The Iron Mountain deposit was one of the largest in the world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While large-scale commercial mining operations have ceased, the area retains historical significance. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the region has seen development related to tourism and outdoor recreation, including proximity to the Mark Twain National Forest and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park.
Demographics As an unincorporated community, Iron Mountain does not have official population boundaries or census data separate from the surrounding township (Iron Township) or St. Francois County.
