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

Dock Site and Pumphouse

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

1. Dock Site and Pumphouse Marker

Inscription.
The first dock was built on this site in 1909.
Supplies were loaded onto the dock from lighthouse “tenders,” or supply ships. Subjected to harsh weather, the dock was rebuilt many times.

Water, Water Everywhere
Lake water for drinking and washing was pumped from here to the light station. A pipe ran up the hill — you can still see it if you look carefully. Even though it was encased in a wooden box filled with straw, the pipe often froze and burst. This small building was constructed in the 1950s to house a gasoline-powered water pump. It replaced a larger boathouse that enclosed a water pump powered by steam.

Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 47° 11.99′ N, 91° 22.219′ 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)

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(State Highway 61). The marker and dock site are on the beach below 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.

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: Tramway (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Two Harbors (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home Away From Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Storage Barn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fog Signal (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lighthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oil House (approx. 0.2

Marker detail: Split Rock dock, boathouse, and tramway, circa 1925 image. Click for full size.

Minnesota Historical Society Collections

2. Marker detail: Split Rock dock, boathouse, and tramway, circa 1925

miles away); Gold Rock Point (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Two Harbors.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

3. Dock Site and Pumphouse Marker

Looking southwest across Lake Superior.

Dock Site and Pumphouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

4. Dock Site and Pumphouse

Looking southeast across Lake Superior. The marker is on the left side of the pumphouse.

Split Rock Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

5. Split Rock Lighthouse

Looking east from the dock site.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 21, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.