Two Harbors in Lake County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Duluth and Iron Range Depot
Two Harbors owes its very existence to the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad (D&IR), established in 1883 to transport iron ore from the Vermilion Range for shipping to steel mills via the the Great Lakes. The railroad chose Agate Bay, renamed Two Harbors in 1888, for a terminus because it was relatively close to the mines, but more importantly, because the clay bottom bay, rare along the rocky Lake Superior shores, made construction easier.
Besides over 8,000,000 tons of iron ore annually, the D&IR was transporting freight and passengers by 1907, necessitating the construction of a depot. The railroad established its headquarters and corporate offices in the 110' x 44', two-story, brick building. When merged with the Duluth, Missabe and Northern Railway in 1937, the railroad became known as the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway and continued to serve local passenger and freight needs until 1960.
In 1961, the railroad allowed Lake County Historical Society to establish a museum in the depot. This was appropriate since Thomas Owens, Superintendent of the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad, was responsible for establishing the Historical Society in 1925. Ownership of the building was transferred to the Society in 1980.
National Register of Historic Places
Erected by Minnesota's Wild North.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 47° 1.137′ N, 91° 40.224′ W. Marker is in Two Harbors, Minnesota, in Lake County. Marker is at the intersection of South Avenue and 6th Street (County Route 20), on the right when traveling east on South Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 520 South Avenue, Two Harbors MN 55616, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hand Car, Velocipede, Sleigh, Station Wagon (a few steps from this marker); The Two Harbors Ore Docks (a few steps from this marker); Ore Car #251, 1884 & Bobber Caboose #22 (#52), 1893 (a few steps from this marker); First Ore Taken From A Minnesota Mine (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named First Ore Taken From A Minnesota Mine (a few steps from this marker); Duluth and Iron Range Railroad Locomotive #3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Yellowstone Mallet #229 (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Paul H. Van Hoven Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Two Harbors.
Also see . . .
1. The Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway. "American Rails" entry (Submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Missabe Railroad Historical Society. Society homepage. (Submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Depot Museum. Lake County Historical Society entry (Submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on August 19, 2022. 3. submitted on November 10, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on August 19, 2022.