Embarrass Co-op
The Embarrass Cooperative Association was formed in 1909 by a small group of residents in response to economic insecurity and low prices for their produce. It sold food, supplies, clothing, hardware, and even forest and farm products on behalf of its members to markets in larger towns. During the Depression years, the co-op was credited with saving many Finnish farming families from starvation and bankruptcy by supplying and accepting food for sale when others had stopped.
The local co-op store was more than a retail business. The cooperative movement represented a way of life. This was especially true in rural areas where co-op halls were the site of socials, concerts, plays, lectures and dances. The Embarrass Cooperative continued to serve the community until December 1963 when it was destroyed by fire.
Erected by Northeast Minnesota: The Wild North.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 47° 39.497′ N, 92° 11.866′ W. Marker is in Embarrass, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. Marker is on County Highway 21, on the right when traveling east. At old road corner bypassed by Highway 21's
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Alma Norha Playhouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Nelimark Sauna (approx. 0.3 miles away); Apostolic Lutheran Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Hanka Homestead (approx. 2.2 miles away); Longyear Drill Site (approx. 7.9 miles away); Edmund J. Longyear (approx. 8.1 miles away); This Piece of Rock (approx. 8.1 miles away); First Diamond Drill Hole in the State of Minnesota (approx. 8.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Embarrass.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2017, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on December 27, 2018, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2017, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
