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

Canot du Nord (North Canoe) Replica

Photographed by McGhiever, August 18, 2023

1. Canot du Nord (North Canoe) Replica Marker

Inscription.

Originally made from cedar and birch bark, the Canot du Nord functioned as the workhorse of the 18th and 19th century fur trade. These birch bark canoes could carry several tons of trade goods and between 4 and 6 voyageurs, the occupational label for professional fur traders.

This replica canoe is built from a structural core covered in fiberglass. It arrived at Lutsen Resort in 2006 after serving many years at a youth camp. During the winter of 2006–2007, it underwent a complete restoration. The current gunwales are made form ash originally slated to become dog sled parts, and the current seats are made from cedar paneling salvaged from the Main Lodge during a restoration project.

Our Canot du Nord weighs 350 pounds, is 25 feet long, can ship a maximum of 2500 pounds, and can carry 10 modern day voyageurs. No longer confined to the drudgery of the fur trade, these canoes now serve as recreational crafts. This canoe serves the resorts activity program providing tours of Lake Superior.

Erected by Lutsen Resort.

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

Location. 48° 5.106′ N,

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90° 45.007′ W. Marker is in East Cook, Minnesota, in Cook County. It can be reached from South Gunflint Lake Road (County Highway 50) east of Gunflint Trail (County Highway 12). The marker is at Gunflint Lodge, between the restaurant and its parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 143 S Gunflint Lake Road, 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: The 2007 Ham Lake Fire (approx.

Canot du Nord (North Canoe) Replica Marker (center right) at Gunflint Lodge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, August 18, 2023

2. Canot du Nord (North Canoe) Replica Marker (center right) at Gunflint Lodge

0.7 miles away); Gunflint Trail (approx. 0.7 miles away); Gunflint Lake Scenic Overlook (approx. 0.7 miles away); History of Saganaga Lake (approx. 8.2 miles away); Portage Canoe Rest (approx. 8.3 miles away); Step back in time... (approx. 8.3 miles away); The American Plan Cabin (approx. 8.4 miles away); This Log (approx. 8.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Cook.

More about this marker. The marker seems to have come along with the canoe to a new location without alteration. It is not at Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior as stated, but at Gunflint Lodge on Gunflint Lake in the Boundary Waters.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 554 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 29, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.