Welcome to Split Rock River Wayside Rest

Welcome to Split Rock River Wayside Rest. . , As the new territory along the North Shore opened up and began to thrive after the signing of the 1854 Treaty of LaPointe, so too were the needs to access the area. In the late 1880's and through the 1890's a stage coach road was developed as a land route from Duluth to the Canadian Border. From just north of Two Harbors to Schroeder the route went inland to avoid the rugged terrain along the shore. In many cases the materials for building the roads and bridges came by ships such as the America and the Goldish. In the 1920's a major effort took place to build the section along the shore around Silver Cliff and the Lafayette bluff. In 1926 the new International Highway, #1, was opened between Duluth and the Canadian Border. Our Predecessor's [sic] knew the value of this great highway and formed the Lake Superior International Highway Association to ensure the protection and preservation of this scenic highway. In 1934 the highway was redesigned to become Highway 61. The forsight [sic] of those that have followed, such as the North Shore Scenic Drive Council, have worked hard to ensure that this highway and the North Shore Scenic Byway will be enjoyed for generations to come. Enjoy the splendor and the beauty and travel safely, but also protect this great legacy., Lawrence "Larry" Moon was founding chair of the North Shore Scenic Drive Council from 1999-2005. Larry's passion and vision for the long term sustainability of the North Shore inspired him to spend a generous amount of time and energy on the byway. Because he recognized that the North Shore Scenic Drive (NSSD) is a "destination unto itself", Larry was instrumental in achieving All-American Road byway designation for the route. Larry led the planning committee to accomplish great things. The byway partnership was created and solidified including communities from Duluth to Grand Portage. The original Corridor Management Plan, Interpretive Plan, logo and identity were created under his leadership. Larry was an outstanding byway advocate and greatly respected as a member of the byway community. He was a kind, fair, forward-looking leader. In his memory, the good work that he started continues along the byway today., The mission of the North Shore Scenic Drive is to cooperatively enhance the economic benefits of travel along Lake Superior's North Shore and to improve the quality of the route while preserving its cultural, social, and natural integrity., Short term parking is available at this wayside rest. , Extended parking is available at Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. , In 1899 at a time when the logging and timber industry was at it's [sic] prime, this location on the Split Rock River was home to the logging operation of Merrill and Ring. Though it only lasted here for 7 years it was a very active operation. In addition to the dam and trestle, the remaining pilings you see at the mouth of the river, there also existed a shortline railroad, the SR&N (The Split Rock River and Northern) which extended inland 10 miles. This logging operation at it's [sic] peak employed 400 men, 50 lived and worked at this site. At this location there existed several buildings including a store and post office; a warehouse; two buildings with sleeping quarters and dining halls; an ice house; 7 dwellings; a 180 foot long wharf; and cold storage dock with capacity of a 1000 tons. The average harvest of timber shipped from this location was about 50 million board feet of timber per year. The dam was used as a storagepond for the logs until enough logs could be rafted and towed to their Duluth sawmill. After logging operations ceased the DNR had planned to use the pond for Speckled Trout rearing but mother nature had different ideas and washed out the dam in a June of 1908 storm.