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

The Trapper Shack

Photographed by McGhiever, August 19, 2023

1. The Trapper Shack Marker

Inscription.

Trapper's lives were spartan and generally routine.

Before freeze-up, they brought in supplies, cut wood, and weather-proofed their cabins and shelters. Returning in November, they set trap lines along trails looping fifty miles or so through the bush. Throughout the winter they caught mink, muskrat, lynx, and other fur-bearing animals. Each pelt had to be stretched, cured, and bundled. When spring came, they packed out the season's harvest and tried their luck at the trading posts. Fur prices fluctuated greatly, and trappers never got rich from their efforts.

Despite the dangers of extreme weather and accidents, trapping appealed strongly to those who cherished solitude, self-reliance, and a traditional northern lifestyle.

Photo Archie Kirk Sr.'s Trapper Cabin

Erected by United States Forest Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 48° 10.13′ N, 90° 52.854′ W. Marker is in West Cook, Minnesota, in Cook County. It can be reached from Moose Pond Drive (County Route

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81). The marker is on the grounds of the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, on the north side of the museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 28 Moose Pond Drive, Grand Marais MN 55604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Minnesota’s 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,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: This Log (a few steps from this marker); The American Plan Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Step back in time... (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Portage Canoe Rest

The Trapper Shack Marker on the north side of the Chik-Wauk Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, August 19, 2023

2. The Trapper Shack Marker on the north side of the Chik-Wauk Museum

The stairs lead down to the replica trapper's shack

(about 600 feet away); History of Saganaga Lake (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named History of Saganaga Lake (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gunflint Lake Scenic Overlook (approx. 8.3 miles away); The 2007 Ham Lake Fire (approx. 8.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Cook.

The replica Trapper Shack at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, August 19, 2023

3. The replica Trapper Shack at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center

Interior of the Trapper Shack image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, August 19, 2023

4. Interior of the Trapper Shack

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 372 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.