Bent Brook
| | Glensheen Historic Estate | |
Bent Brook is one of two creeks at Glensheen. During spring runoff or heavy rains, water flow can be wild threatening to erode the landscape. To keep the brook from meandering, the waterway was lined with stones and cemented during the estate's construction.
Here by the brook's London Road tunnel, the Congdons are said to have made great use of this intimate space. Staff likely used the small stairs to the right to set up tables in the creek for the family to enjoy lunches while soaking their feet in the slow summer flow.
Given the light traffic on London Road in the early 1900s, this shady spot was a quiet refuge perfect for a picnic.
Did you know?
The wooden bridges along Bent Brook have been replaced several times due to washouts caused by high water.
Erected by Glensheen Historic Estate. (Marker Number 11.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • 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 1907.
Location. 46° 48.938′ N, 92° 3.093′ W.
this page online
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, Ruperts 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: Servant's Courtyard (within shouting
Regarding Bent Brook. Contributing structures, Chester and Clara Congdon Estate Glensheen, National Register of Historic Places № 91001057.
From the National Register Nomination prepared by Michael Koop, 8/1990:
Bent Brook Bridge, ca. 1907. This small bridge is located northeast of the house. It is made of random-coursed, rough-cut, rubble stone and features a semicircular arch and granite coping.Bent Brook Culvert, ca.1907. This structure is located just south of London Road and consists of a narrow stone round arch flanked by stone retaining walls on each side of the brook with steps up to a path that leads to the bowling green.
The predominant land use of the estate as a private residence with gardens and a system of trails has remained essentially the same since its inception. Surrounding the house and support buildings the acreage is roughly divided by Bent Brook into two zones: 1) the family space focused around the house and formal gardens to the west, and 2) a staff service area to the east. A network of twisting paths northeast of the house cuts through thick vegetation, crossing Bent Brook and leading up a hill to the bowling green. Another path curves around toward the shoreline where a small stone bridge crosses Bent Brook before continuing to the Carriage House. From this path one has a magnificent view northward towards the lawn, formal gardens, and house.
Glensheen was built on an undeveloped site outside the city limits of Duluth. Early photographs show a few wood frame buildings near the eastern edge of the property that may have been part of a nearby farm. A ca. 1905 topographical map of the area south of London Road between Tischer Creek and Bent Brook suggests the eventual design of Charles W. Leavitt, Jr., (the landscape architect), attempted to use the natural landscape to its fullest extent and minimize impact on the site. The map shows two ravines defining the edges of the property and a relatively broad expanse of high ground near the center of the site where the house would be constructed. From this promontory the gradient sloped to the south moderately, providing an ideal location for the terraced formal gardens. On the west side the terrain dropped dramatically to Tischer Creek, and toward the east it led gradually down to Bent Brook.
Related markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
