The Hoff Mine, also known as the Huff Mine, was established before 1855. By 1868, an estimated 50,000 tons of ore had been extracted, though the deposit was considered lean. Between 1855 and 1868, the mine was worked to a depth of 150 feet along a length of approximately 600 feet. Up until 1870, operations continued intermittently at full capacity until the mine was shut down in 1874. It reopened in 1879, and by 1880, it had produced 78,000 tons of iron ore.

Mining resumed in 1882 but was abandoned again in 1883. Another reopening occurred in 1884, and operations continued until mid-1886. At this time, one section of the mine was recorded at a depth of 200 feet, and it was initially believed that the ore body had been fully depleted, as miners encountered what they thought was only bedrock. However, further exploration revealed that the ore continued at a slightly greater depth, indicating that the deposit had not yet been exhausted.

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