Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Smokehouse
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2024
1. Smokehouse Marker
by John and Randolph Samskar
and donated to the Cook County Historical Society
by the Randolph Samskar Estate.
A number of fishermen along the North Shore had similar, but often smaller, smokehouses. Most smoked fish was consumed locally, it was seldom shipped. Trout and whitefish were cut into pieces, while herring and cisco could be smoked whole. After being soaked in a salt brine, fish would be laid on racks. The smaller herring or cisco could be hung from hooks.
A birch, stripped of its bark, or other hardwood would be placed in a pit dug in the floor of the smokehouse. The fire was allowed to burn down, then partially covered to create smoke. The fire was tended for hours at a low temperature to maintain smoke. Heat and smoke resulted in a delicious cooked, smoked fish.
Each fisherman had his own brine recipe; for some it was ready "when it would float a potato or egg." A second, but less common method, was called "cold smoked." A trench was built, often on a hillside, leading to a pit with a fire in the low end, and fish above. This smoking process continued three days.
Mildred Thoreson and Edwin E. Thoreson Inc.
for moving and placing it on site.
Topics. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 47° 44.872′ N, 90° 20.564′ W. Marker is in Grand Marais, Minnesota, in Cook County. It can be reached from South 8th Avenue West 0.2 miles south of Voyageur Highway (State Highway 61), on the left when traveling south. The smokehouse exhibit is located near the beach at the Grand Marais Campground & Marina. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 South 8th Avenue West, Grand Marais MN 55604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, in the 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 Superiors 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, 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: The Fishing Tug NeeGee (a few steps from this marker); Fish House Replica (a few steps from this marker); The NEEGEE (a few steps from this marker); George Morrison (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Geology of Minnesota (approx. Ό mile away); The Grand Marais Harbor (approx. Ό mile away); Pulpwood Rafting (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Grand Marais Harbor (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Marais.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2024
2. Smokehouse Marker
The marker is mounted at eye-level on the front of the restored smokehouse.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2024
3. Smokehouse
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
