Split Rock Lighthouse State Park near Two Harbors in Lake County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Gold Rock Point

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

1. Gold Rock Point Marker

Inscription.
Looking northeast, the next major outcropping along the shoreline is Gold Rock (formerly Rust) Point. The Madeira sank at Gold Rock Point during the November, 1905, Mataafa Blow. On calm days boaters can see the wreckage, 40 feet below the surface.

Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1905.

Location. 47° 11.998′ N, 91° 22.003′ W. Marker is near Two Harbors, Minnesota, in Lake County. It is in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. It can be reached from Split Rock Lighthouse Road half a mile south of North Shore Scenic Drive (Voyageur Highway) (State Highway 61). The marker overlooks Gold Rock Point from the north side of the lighthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Road, 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.

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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 walking distance of this marker: Little Two Harbors (within shouting distance of this marker); Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Oil House (within shouting distance of this marker); Fog Signal (within shouting distance of this marker); Home Away From Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Steam Engine Hoist (within shouting distance of this marker); Storage Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Gales of November (within shouting distance of this marker).

Other markers no longer nearby. Steam Hoist Engine (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another

Marker detail: the <i>Madiera,</i> ca. 1900 image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: the Madiera, ca. 1900

marker now near it); The Gales of November (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Lake Superior Shipwrecks: Madeira. Minnesota Historical Society web archive:
The Madeira was built and launched at the Chicago Yard of the Chicago Shipbuilding Company in 1900. She is historically significant as the best and one of the few known surviving examples of a schooner-barge. Though the Madeira was lost in a violent storm and is broken into numerous pieces scattered about the lake bottom, the major diagnostic elements of the hull are relatively intact. The Madeira's value is enhanced by its relationship to Split Rock Lighthouse, which was built partially because of the Madeira's loss. The remains of the Madeira were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. (Submitted on May 5, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Mataafa Storm. Wikipedia entry:
The storm occurred on the Great Lakes on November 27–28, 1905. Storm-force winds and heavy snows accompanied the cyclone's passage. The storm, named after the steamship

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

3. Gold Rock Point Marker

Looking south; Lake Superior and the Split Rock Lighthouse are in the background.

Mataafa, ended up destroying or damaging about 29 vessels, killing 36 seamen, and causing shipping losses of US$ 3.567 million (1905 dollars) on Lake Superior. (Submitted on August 20, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Split Rock Lighthouse: Early History. Wikipedia entry:
The Mataafa Storm of November 28, damaged nearly 30 ships on Lake Superior. Two ships were wrecked against the shore, the steel steamboat William Edenborn and a barge it was towing, the Madeira. The Edenborn was beached far ashore at the mouth of the Split Rock River and later salvaged, but one of the 25 crewmembers was killed. The Madeira with 10 men aboard drifted northeast until violent waves began smashing her against the cliffs of Gold Rock Point. Crewman Fred Benson managed to leap onto the rocks and scale the cliff in the midst of the snowstorm. The first mate was swept overboard and drowned, but Benson was able to lower a rope and pull the other eight crew to safety. The Madeira sank in pieces at the foot of Gold Rock while the crewmen, suffering from exposure and frostbite, found shelter with local fishermen and loggers.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

4. Gold Rock Point Marker

Looking north; the marker is mounted on the guard rail on the right. The Split Rock Fog Signal Building is on the left. Gold Rock Point is obscured by haze and fog in the distant background.

Both crews were picked up two days later by the tugboat Edna G. (Submitted on August 21, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,130 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 20, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.