It was built to house engines hoisting ore from various Cleveland Mine locales, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

[5] A hoisting plant consisting of two engines built by the Iron Bay Foundry of Marquette was installed in the building, and the equipment was used to haul ore from what was then known as the Incline Pit and the Sellwood (or Number 3) Pit.

[2][6] In 1884, the size of the building was doubled, and a four-engine hoist was installed.

[5] The Number 3 Engine House was converted to a storage facility.

[2] The engine house is constructed of stone, with an iron roof truss.