Near Silver Bay in Lake County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Storage Barn
— Split Rock Lighthouse —
July 27, 2022
1. Storage Barn Marker
Inscription.
Storage Barn. . The 3 storage barns were the first buildings constructed at the station. Keeping supplies safe and dry was essential. By the time road access was completed, the keepers had converted the barns from storage to garages for automobiles., And then there were two , In the winter of 1969, one of the keepers planned on washing his car, a brand-new Buick Skylark. He set up a fuel oil heater in the garage. After starting the heater, the keeper went inside his house to warm up. When he looked back out, there were flames coming out of the garage windows! He called the sheriff and the fire department, but by then the damage was done. The noise of the blaze was deafening, and the heat intense enough to send the metal shingles flying through the air and into the woods., The remains of the first storage barn, circa 1969. MNHS collections.
The 3 storage barns were the first buildings constructed at the station. Keeping supplies safe and dry was essential. By the time road access was completed, the keepers had converted the barns from storage to garages for automobiles.
And then there were two
In the winter of 1969, one of the keepers planned on washing his car, a brand-new Buick Skylark. He set up a fuel oil heater in the garage. After starting the heater, the keeper went inside his house to warm up. When he looked back out, there were flames coming out of the garage windows! He called the sheriff and the fire department, but by then the damage was done. The noise of the blaze was deafening, and the heat intense enough to send the metal shingles flying through the air and into the woods.
The remains of the first storage barn, circa 1969. MNHS collections.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.
Location. 47° 12.027′ N, 91° 22.03′ W. Marker is near Silver Bay, Minnesota, in Lake County. Marker can be reached from Split Rock Lighthouse Road, half a mile south of North Shore Scenic Drive (State Highway 61). Located at the Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd, Two Harbors MN 55616, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The first storage barn was located in the open area to the right of the marker.
July 27, 2022
3. The two remaining storage barns
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2022. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2022.
