Vineland in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Mille Lacs Indian Boat Works
— Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post —
Photographed By McGhiever, July 12, 2016
1. Mille Lacs Indian Boat Works Marker
It's mid-summer, 1929. You're standing here looking at a two-story wooden building with large rooms and lots of windows.
That building was the Mille Lacs Indian Boat Works, run by Trading Post owner Harry Ayer. From 1929 to 1939, a crew of Mille Lacs Band members built 200 boats. Ayer rented many of the boats out for fishing expeditions, and sold others to resort owners, vacationers, and the U.S. Forestry Service.
What Happened to the Boat Works?
In 1939, Ayer sold the factory and tools to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The land, which was held in trust for the Mille Lacs Band, was soon used for a new school building and playground.
Look carefully for the last remains of the boat works—concrete footings from a large storage shed built next to the main factory building.
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 46° 10.587′ N, 93° 45.306′ W. Marker is in Vineland, Minnesota, in Mille Lacs County. Marker is at the intersection of Oodena Drive and U.S. 169, on the right when traveling east
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tourist Cottage (a few steps from this marker); Harry & Jeannette Ayer House (within shouting distance of this marker); Izatys (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Kathio Villages (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Wilford Site (approx. 2 miles away); Explore Minnesota's Pinelands at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (approx. 3.2 miles away); Lake Mille Lacs Walleye (approx. 8.8 miles away); William A. Tauer (approx. 8.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vineland.
Photographed By McGhiever, July 12, 2016
2. Mille Lacs Indian Boat Works site and marker at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 41 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
