Virginia in Saint Louis County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Gunnar Peterson

Photographed By McGhiever, July 26, 2017

1. Gunnar Peterson Marker

Inscription. Gunnar Peterson (1880–1951) was Virginia's first horticulturalist, hired in 1926. He became renowned for his elaborate flower beds at this location. Born in Sweden, he learned landscape architecture under his father and grandfather and received additional training in Germany.

This is one example of his work, done in 1934, a tribute to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This floral bed was 20 feet by 30 feet and contained 13,000 plants of various shapes and colors. As we look northward in the photo, we can see the old school farm and superintendent's house–now the site of Essentia Health, Virginia.

One can see a permanent display of Peterson's works at the Virginia Area Historical Society Heritage Museum located just east of here.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 47° 31.745′ N, 92° 33.01′ W. Marker is in Virginia, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. Marker is on Olcott Park, on the left when traveling east. On road through middle of Olcott Park, directly opposite the bandshell. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Virginia MN 55792, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oscar Hokka Log House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Laurentian Divide

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(approx. 3.3 miles away); This is Magnetic Taconite (approx. 3.4 miles away); Leonidas Merritt (approx. 3.4 miles away); Mountain Iron (approx. 3.4 miles away); 1910 Baldwin Locomotive (approx. 3.4 miles away); John Mariucci (approx. 4.2 miles away); Paul Wellstone Memorial and Historic Site (approx. 9.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia.

Gunnar Peterson Marker environs image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, July 26, 2017

2. Gunnar Peterson Marker environs

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2017, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 280 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2017, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.