Gooseberry Falls State Park near Two Harbors in Lake County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Building the Wall

July 28, 2022

1. Building the Wall Marker

Inscription. This wall was built between 1936 and 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees as a retaining wall for the parking concourse.

It is 300 feet long, 15-25 feet high, 12 feet wide at the base, and was designed after a castle.

photographs:
Beginning on the western end, the enrollees expanded the wall until it tied into the bridge.

Stone was quarried from east Beaver Bay. Some of these rocks. . .

. . . weigh over 7 tons!
Flatbed truck with derrick

The great derrick was built and designed by the camp blacksmith. It was used to transport the materials to the lower level.

Italian masons taught CCC enrollees how to select, hand cut, and fit together the stones.

One of the final sections to be completed was a massive stairway leading to the main falls.

To learn more about the "castle," see sign by upper retaining wall.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.

Location. 47° 8.562′ N, 91° 28.135′ W.

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Marker is near Two Harbors, Minnesota, in Lake County. It is in Gooseberry Falls State Park. It can be reached from Gitchi Gami State Trail. The marker is by the lower retaining wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3206 Highway 61 East, Two Harbors MN 55616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s 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.

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: A Castle in the Park (a few steps from this marker); Geology Complicates Bridge Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); Having Fun on the North Shore / Cruisin' on the Shore (within

July 28, 2022

2. Building the Wall Marker

shouting distance of this marker); Cooperation Helps Build a Park / We Built this Park. (within shouting distance of this marker); Gooseberry Falls CCC Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); "C.C.C. Worker" (within shouting distance of this marker); Ancient Rivers & Lakes (within shouting distance of this marker); CCC Camp Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Two Harbors.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

A portion of the retaining wall image. Click for full size.

July 28, 2022

3. A portion of the retaining wall

July 28, 2022

4. A portion of the retaining wall

Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2022. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2022.