Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Grand Marais Harbor

July 25, 2022

1. The Grand Marais Harbor Marker

Inscription. Lake Superior Indians recognized the unique nature of this bay long ago, naming it "Kitchi-Bitobig", meaning "double body of water." When white man first settled around this bay, in 1854, a few Indian families lived in tepees and cabins around the shore. White population increased rapidly after the 1870s, and dependence on ship transportation became more critical; storms and shipwrecks led to demands for a lighthouse, which was finally built in 1885, the first on the American North Shore. As added protection for this harbor of refuge, the east breakwater had been built a year earlier; the harbor became even more protected from violent seas in 1901, when the Corps of Engineers completed the west breakwater and continued the 16-foot dredging project. During three generations, this bay was a busy hub of economic and social activity; commercial fishing, shipping and rafting of sawlogs and pulpwood, dredging gravel, picnics and bonfires on the Point, 4th of July celebrations, skating and swimming, sailboat races, the arrivals and departures of the steamships "Dixon" and "America" and many other vessels. Until the new highway

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along the North Shore was built in the 1920s, this magnificent harbor was the focus of life in Grand Marais.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 47° 44.955′ N, 90° 20.261′ W. Marker is in Grand Marais, Minnesota, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of North Shore Scenic Drive (State Highway 61) and Wisconsin Street, on the right when traveling east on North Shore Scenic Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grand Marais MN 55604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness,

in the Arrowhead Region,

in the Iron Range,

and in the North Shore.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on the Great Lakes,

on Lake Superior’s North Shore,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

The Grand Marais Harbor Marker <i>(left)</i>, from the north image. Click for full size.

July 25, 2022

2. The Grand Marais Harbor Marker (left), from the north

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Geology of Minnesota (here, next to this marker); George Morrison (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pulpwood Rafting (approx. ¼ mile away); Bally Blacksmith Shop (approx. ¼ mile away); Fish House Replica (approx. ¼ mile away); The NEEGEE (approx. ¼ mile away); The Fishing Tug NeeGee (approx. ¼ mile away); Smokehouse (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Marais.

Panoramic Photo of Grand Marais Harbor from the north image. Click for full size.

July 25, 2022

3. Panoramic Photo of Grand Marais Harbor from the north

Panoramic Photo of Grand Marais Harbor from the south image. Click for full size.

July 25, 2022

4. Panoramic Photo of Grand Marais Harbor from the south

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2022. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2022.