Congdon Park in Duluth in Saint Louis County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Vegetable Garden

— Glensheen Historic Estate —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

1. Vegetable Garden Marker

Inscription.
Chester Congdon envisioned Glensheen as a self-sufficient estate. To help feed the family and staff, a large garden was planted from thousands of seedlings started in the greenhouse.

According to family records, the plot produced many common vegetables. The rhubarb, currants and gooseberries in the first garden to the left are a part of the original planting plan from the early 1900s. It is thought that they are the original perennial plants. A portion of the harvest was preserved for winter use.

Today, the garden is maintained by the head gardener and student gardeners from the University of Minnesota Duluth. The harvest is used locally to support Glensheen and the University of Minnesota.

Did you know?
There are no historical photos of fences around each of the vegetable beds as we have today. It remains a mystery how the garden staff managed to keep nocturnal visitors out of the garden!

Erected by Glensheen Historic Estate. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry.

Location. 46° 48.928′ N, 92° 3.039′ W.

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Marker is in Duluth, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. It is in Congdon Park. It can be reached from London Road (Voyageur Highway) (State Highway 61) 0.2 miles north of South 32nd Avenue East, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located along the Glensheen Estate interpretive trail. Walking access is from the Glensheen Estate parking lot on the northeast side of the property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3300 London Road, Duluth MN 55804, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region

and in the Iron Range.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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: Carriage House (a few steps from this marker); Gardener's Cottage

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

2. Vegetable Garden Marker

Looking north from the interpretive trail. The vegetable garden extends in terraced levels uphill behind the fence in the background. The Gardener’s Cottage is on the right.

(a few steps from this marker); The Greenhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); Glensheen, A Family Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Bent Brook (within shouting distance of this marker); Servant's Courtyard (within shouting distance of this marker); Bowling Green & Tennis Court (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duluth.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Glensheen — The Historic Congdon Estate

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 17, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.