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

The Boathouse

— Glensheen Historic Estate —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

1. The Boathouse Marker

Inscription.
The Congdons' boathouse is one of the few remaining on vast Lake Superior. When built, its pier was large enough to be seen on navigational maps. Of course, the pier was bigger then — extending out an additional 30 feet straight into Lake Superior with an "L" shaped arm that jutted out a full 100 feet to the right.

This configuration created safe waters for the Congdons' guests arriving by boat. It also sheltered the Congdons' own yacht, Hesperia, until the vessel was destroyed in a 1916 fire.

Without Hesperia, the boathouse served as storage for rowboats and had a Tiffany tile shower for rinsing off post swim. The roof was once covered in art tile and used for entertaining.

Did you know?
When the Congdons’ youngest son, Robert, was married, the boathouse roof was strung with lanterns and hosted an orchestra.

Erected by Glensheen Historic Estate. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 46° 48.881′ N,

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92° 3.058′ W. 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, overlooking the boathouse on Lake Superior. 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

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

2. The Boathouse Marker

Looking southeast; Lake Superior is in the background.

of this marker: Lake Superior (within shouting distance of this marker); Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone Bridge & Trails (within shouting distance of this marker); Tischer Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Glensheen Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); The Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Servant's Courtyard (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duluth.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Boat House and Pier (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

Regarding The Boathouse. Contributing property, Chester and Clara Congdon Estate — Glensheen, National Register of Historic Places № 91001057.

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Michael Koop, 8/1990:
Boat House, 1906-08, Clarence H. Johnston, Sr., architect. This is a flat-roofed, one-story, rectangular building made of random-coursed, rough-cut, rubble stone. A staircase on the north elevation provides access to the
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

3. The Boathouse (southeast elevation)
Looking northwest from the end of the pier. The Glensheen Mansion is visible in the background.
balustraded balcony, which features a tooled granite beltcourse at its base, carved granite balusters, and a granite coping. A pedimented entrance with ornate carved stone brackets and quoins is centered in the north wall. There are five large windows (infilled with cinder block in the 1960s) with segmental arches and granite sills on the east and west walls. The south wall has a wide rolled metal door set within a segmental arch. Over the years waves have deposited stones against the Boat House so that today the building is landlocked. The lower section of the original "L"-shaped concrete pier was gradually destroyed by the lake. In the 1940s sewer pumps were installed in a shower room located in the northeast corner.

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

Window with Original Glass Blocks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

4. Window with Original Glass Blocks

The Boathouse Pier image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

5. The Boathouse Pier

From the National Register Nomination:
Pier, 1906-07, Clarence H. Johnston, Sr., architect. Originally "L"-shaped, the lower section of the pier was gradually destroyed by waves from the lake. The pier was constructed in the following fashion: a timber crib filled with rock and grouted with concrete was submerged, and large concrete blocks were then laid on top.

The Boathouse (<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

6. The Boathouse (south elevation)

Looking north along the lake shore.

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 140 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 18, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.