Marine on St. Croix in Washington County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Marine

Photographed by Keith L, June 11, 2011

1. Marine Marker

Inscription. The first commercial sawmill in Minnesota was erected 300 feet east of here in 1838. The lumbering industry, which monopolized the minds and talents of men in the St. Croix Valley for three-quarters of a century, was born with the erection of this mill. Lewis Judd and David Hone selected the site, and the Marine Lumber Company erected the mill which sawed the first lumber from the magnificent pine stands of the St. Croix Valley.

The village which grew up around the mill was the earliest Minnesota settlement in the valley, and was named Marine after the home of its founders in Illinois. This bell, cherished by generations of Marine residents, was brought here from St. Louis in 1857 to serve as a church bell. Prior thereto it had served for many years as a steamboat bell.

Erected 1953 by the Minnesota Department of Highways, Roadside Development Division; Minnesota Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Minnesota Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 45° 11.905′ N,

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92° 46.198′ W. Marker is in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota, in Washington County. It can be reached from St. Croix Trail North (State Highway 95) south of Maple Street (County Road 4), on the left when traveling south. Marker is at a roadside parking area (Parker Street). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 Judd Street, Marine on Saint Croix MN 55047, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Marine (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Marine on St. Croix (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Photographed by Keith L, June 11, 2011

2. Marine Marker

(about 300 feet away); Marine Mill Site (about 300 feet away); Early Settler's Cabin (about 600 feet away); The Marine Township Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wedge Hill (approx. 1.8 miles away); Lake Alice (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marine on St. Croix.

Other markers no longer nearby. Boom, Then Bust (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Pineries are Gone (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Technological Revolution (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Minnesota's First Commercial Sawmill (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Powerhouse and Kiln (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on March 12, 2010.)

2. Minnesota Department of Transportation. "Mounted on the top of the marker, near its western face, is a large metal bell. (The words St. Louis, Missouri are

Photographed by Keith L, October 15, 2008

3. Marine Marker

cast in the bell)." (Submitted on March 12, 2010.)

Additional commentary.
1. Dear Editor:
I am thrilled to have learned tonight about the Marine, Minnesota Historical Marker and bell. I am the great-granddaughter of the bell maker, David Caughlan.

Would it be possible for me to correspond with someone about the bell? Could I ask that the photographer, "Keith L. of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin" contact me? I am writing a book about my great-grandfather and would like to include the story of this bell along with some 30 others I have located. He cast bells in Saint (usually written out) Louis, Mo. between 1849 and 1867. I can give you some history of him. He led a most interesting life and was a good and beloved man.

I could date the bell by the design. Is the decoration in the shoulder band twining leaves and morning glories? There should be a relief figure of a muse with a harp in the center of the iron yoke. Many of his bells went to churches, especially Methodist churches, and others served on steamships on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Still others served in lumber mills, etc.

I would love to have the name

Photographed by Keith L, June 11

4. Marine Bell

[maker's inscription] David Caughlan

of someone I could telephone or email about this specific bell. This is very exciting!

Mary Caughlan Kelley

Editor's Note From the pictures on this page, the shoulder band and muse are as you describe.

If you would like to contact Ms. Kelley about this bell, or any other bells designed by David Caughlan, please add commentary below or contact the editors using the "Contact us" link below.

— Submitted May 4, 2012, by Mary Caughlan Kelley of Irvington, Virginia.

Photographed by Keith L, June 11, 2011

5. Marine Bell

[maker's inscription] Saint Louis MO

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,063 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on March 12, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 4, 5. submitted on June 25, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.