You follow Old Sven into the smallest building. He opens a ledger on a desk.
"You'll be paid the standard rate, a dollar a day. That'll be $26.00 for the month. You work from dawn until dark. If there's an early moon you may work . . . — — Map (db m152959) HM
Welcome to the actual location of Camp #8 of the St. Croix Logging Company
- used in 1906 as a winter logging camp and for several more seasons as a spring camp for log drivers.
Early this morning, at the sawmill in Winton (3 miles east of . . . — — Map (db m153106) HM
This town site, named after President Buchanan, was laid out in October 1856. From September 1857 until May 1859 the place though little less than wilderness, was the seat of the U.S. Land Office for the Northeastern District of Minnesota. After the . . . — — Map (db m43806) HM
So designated by the Minnesota State Legislature and enacted into State Law, April 20, 1961.
In recognition of the eminent leadership and outstanding contributions of Arthur V. Rohweder to the achievement by Minnesota of notable success and . . . — — Map (db m43830) HM
Pellet Island claims its third victim
Fierce winds and forceful waves prove undoing for modern, powerful vessel.
Thanksgiving Day, 1979 started out like any other day for Captain Clyde Trueax and his crew aboard the 600-foot bulk . . . — — Map (db m203366) HM
This city was originally built by Reserve Mining Company to house the employees of their taconite production facility. When construction began in 1951, the town was known as the Beaver Bay housing project and one of the first houses in town became . . . — — Map (db m203561) HM
Sound When Sight Fails
When bad weather obscured a lighthouse beacon, navigators relied on its fog signal. Swirling snow and pea-soup fog could even make Split Rock Lighthouse invisible during the day. Navigators aboard ore boats relied on . . . — — Map (db m203737) HM
Earth's Crust Ruptures
The geology of the shoreline between Split Rock and Little Marais is the direct result of cataclysmic events that occurred many kilometers* below the earth's surface. About 1.1 billion years ago, this continent began . . . — — Map (db m204164) HM
Diver Discovery
The cold, clear waters of Lake Superior have preserved the remains of many important shipwrecks. In 1961, two divers located the wreck of the bulk freight steamer Hesper along the western breakwaters of the harbor. . . . — — Map (db m203364) HM
The three houses you see here were built in 1909, and housed the lighthouse keeper, his assistants, and their families in 1910. The keepers lived in these homes until the shipping season ended in December, then wintered in other homes until the . . . — — Map (db m203745) HM
Photos courtesy of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society
Hesper
May 5, 1905
The Hesper was lost when it was caught in a late spring snow storm in 1905. The storm's 60-mile-an-hour winds drove it well off its . . . — — Map (db m203554) HM
This lighthouse was built after a 1905 storm damaged 29 boats and resulted in more than three million dollars in damages.
Split Rock Lighthouse stands as a beacon to safety in the lake shipping industry. Construction began in 1909, with a . . . — — Map (db m203739) HM
History
Northshore Mining Company, which originally operated as Reserve Mining, was the first taconite processing facility in North America when it opened in 1955. The plant's production capacity was doubled to 10 million tons in 1964. The . . . — — Map (db m203439) HM
Between the lighthouse's kerosene lantern and the fog signal's gasoline engines, Split Rock needed a ready supply of fuel. The sturdy, fire-resistant oil house was built to store that fuel safely. The 16-inch-thick walls are made from poured cement . . . — — Map (db m203741) HM
Rising from the waves of Lake Superior, this cliff face serves as an awesome reminder of Minnesota's geological past. Eruptions of molten lava over a billion years ago, followed by eons of weathering and glacier scouring, created the spectacular . . . — — Map (db m203280) HM
This concrete platform is all that's left of the building that housed the steam hoist engine used to build Split Rock Lighthouse.
Everything needed for building the light station in 1909-10 arrived by boat. The hoist engine powered a winch . . . — — Map (db m204161) HM
The 3 storage barns were the first buildings constructed at the station. Keeping supplies safe and dry was essential. By the time road access was completed, the keepers had converted the barns from storage to garages for automobiles.
And then . . . — — Map (db m203744) HM
Northshore Mining Company originally operated as Reserve Mining Company. It was the first taconite mining and processing facility in North America when it opened in 1955. The company currently employs nearly 500 people and produces about 5 . . . — — Map (db m203360) HM
It's the early morning hours of November 28, 1905.
Imagine yourself standing right here in the middle of one of the worst storms in Great Lakes history: 65-mile-per-hour winds, blinding snow, and 30-foot waves crashing into the cliff. . . . — — Map (db m204163) HM
Why Safe Harbors?
Minnesota contains 150 miles of Lake Superior shoreline. With few exceptions, the shore is rocky and inhospitable to boaters in an emergency. From the time of American Indians and French-Canadian Voyagers paddling their . . . — — Map (db m203370) HM
This anchor was salvaged from the shipwreck of the 5000-ton steel barge, Madeira, which was tossed up against Gold Rock Point, about a quarter mile northeast of here, during the fierce storm of November 27-28, 1905. As the ship broke . . . — — Map (db m78751) HM
This concrete platform is all that remains of the building that housed the steam hoist engine that was used in constructing Split Rock Lighthouse.
Everything needed for building the light station in 1909-10 came by boat. The hoist engine . . . — — Map (db m78717) HM
It's the early morning hours of November 28, 1905.
Imagine yourself standing right here in the middle of one of the worst storms in Great Lakes history—65-mile-per-hour winds, blinding snow, 30-foot waves crashing into the cliff.
The . . . — — Map (db m78716) HM
This hinge pin and truss segment came from the original Gooseberry River Bridge (No. 3585). The original one-lane bridge was constructed in 1925 and widened in 1937 to include a second lane and sidewalks. The bridge was replaced in 1996 by the . . . — — Map (db m204509) HM
Honoring The Dedication And Spirit Of Over 3 Million Young Men Across The United States And 86,000 Young Men In Minnesota Who Helped Create A Legacy For The Conservation Of Natural Resources And Inspired Future Generations. The Civilian Conservation . . . — — Map (db m204404) HM
In commemoration of the
50th anniversary of the first shipment
of iron ore from the State of Minnesota,
through the port of Two Harbors
and
to the memory of those men
of vision and courage,
who promoted the
Duluth & Iron Range . . . — — Map (db m78823) HM
One of the park's most impressive features is the highway concourse that was designed after a castle. It is over 300 feet long, 15-25 feet high and 12 feet wide at the base!
photographs:
Plans for the parking concourse. Dept. of . . . — — Map (db m204420) HM
With the onset of WWII the nations demand for steel created the need for bigger ships. It was evident that the original harbor breakwater was too small to accommodate the newer ships that were often 600+ feet long.
The original breakwater. . . . — — Map (db m204331) HM
The "railroad tracks" on the shore before you are the last vestiges of a once vibrant commercial fishing village in Agate Bay. It was an easy transition for Scandinavian immigrants to begin fishing almost immediately upon arrival in America. The . . . — — Map (db m78851) HM
Shortly after the first shipment of iron ore left Agate Bay, the U.S. Government developed a plan to improve the safety of the harbor. In 1887 construction began on the West breakwater. Also, one acre of land was purchased on which to build a light . . . — — Map (db m204339) HM
The Land is Rising... and Shaping the Shore
About 10,000 years ago, glacial ice covered the North Shore and caused the earth to sag. When the ice melted, a great weight was removed and the land began to rise or "uplift." Uplift, along with . . . — — Map (db m204396) HM
This wall was built between 1936 and 1940 by the Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees as a retaining wall for the parking concourse.
It is 300 feet long, 15-25 feet high, 12 feet wide at the base, and was designed after a castle. . . . — — Map (db m204512) HM
Notice the area behind the waterfalls? This is where the CCC Boys lived.
Young Men...
As many as 200 young men at a time were living here. There was a hustle and bustle of activity as they built over 80 stone and log structures, buildings . . . — — Map (db m204410) HM
Cooperation Helps Build a Park
In 1910, residents were promoting government involvement in recreational facilities. By 1925, four Two Harbors men brought state officials to waterfalls and urged that the state purchase the land for future . . . — — Map (db m204430) HM
This boat the Crusader II was built in 1939 by Ruben and Charles Hill of Larsmont Minnesota. It was christened by Crown Prince Olav of Norway during a visit to Knife River.
The Hill family built over 200 boats used mostly by the commercial . . . — — Map (db m78820) HM
This sleigh was used by the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad Company to transport officials and employees between Duluth and Two Harbors, from 1882 to 1886, which period of time covered the construction of the road between Two Harbors and the . . . — — Map (db m78786) HM
Two Harbors owes its very existence to the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad (D&IR), established in 1883 to transport iron ore from the Vermilion Range for shipping to steel mills via the the Great Lakes. The railroad chose Agate Bay, renamed Two . . . — — Map (db m78778) HM
Central American Connection
The 3 Spot was built in 1883, by Philadelphia-based Baldwin Locomotive Works. The 3 Spot was originally built for the Tehuantepec Interoceanic Railway in Mexico. The Tehuantepec Interoceanic never took delivery, . . . — — Map (db m78787) HM
[Marker 1]
This locomotive is dedicated to the men, women, and families of the Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Railroad
[Marker 2]
DM&IR Yellowstone Mallet #229, which is displayed opposite the venerable Duluth & Iron Range Railroad 3 . . . — — Map (db m78785) HM
Built in 1896 by the Cleveland Ship Building Company, the Edna G. was the last steam driven tugboat in operation on the Great Lakes when it was retired in 1981. She is currently owned by the City of Two Harbors.
Named after the daughter, . . . — — Map (db m204341) HM
This 10-ton bronze propeller from the Eugene W. Pargny shown with tug Edna G, leaving its home port, Two Harbors. Built 1917, the 600-ft. boat made 37 trips yearly until retired 1984. Gift of D. James Jumer, 1999 — — Map (db m204333) HM
The classic steel arch bridge that spans this gorge is impressive for its simple beauty and elegance. Equally remarkable, but not as obvious to the onlooker, is the massive underground foundation that keeps this bridge sound and secure. To construct . . . — — Map (db m204424) HM
The scenery of the region between Split Rock and Beaver Bay is the direct result of important events of early geologic time.
Lava flows, which had accumulated in this region to a thickness of about 30,000 feet, were lifted and arched by a huge . . . — — Map (db m76280) HM
Take a Walk: Discover a Legacy
Wander through the park and see the skills used by the CCC boys to create these structures. Marvel at the detailed stonework of the Castle. Then, walk across the bridge to see the Falls View Shelter.
Boys . . . — — Map (db m204397) HM
Hand Car
Hand and Push Cars were primarily used by section crews to move men and equipment to local work sites. Hand cars did not have a reverse gear and had to be picked up by four men and turned to face the opposite direction.
[Photo . . . — — Map (db m78806) HM
Having Fun on the North Shore
In the late 1800s, the North Shore was becoming a popular recreational destination. Guidebooks from 1872 promoted the "recreational splendors of Lake Superior." By 1895, the North Shore recreation industry was . . . — — Map (db m204433) HM
As you walk the pebbled beaches of the North Shore, watch for translucent, color-banded, and reddish-brown stones called Lake Superior agate—Minnesota's state gemstone. The story of the Lake Superior agate begins 1.1 billion years ago, when basaltic . . . — — Map (db m204248) HM
The first D&IR wooden ore cars were purchased from the Northwestern Manufacturing Co. in 1884. The first order was for 300 cars at a cost of $615 each. The cars had a capacity of 20 tons but were often overloaded. The lifespan of this equipment . . . — — Map (db m78797) HM
It looks out upon the waters of Lake Superior, the largest fresh water lake in the world, known by the Chippewas as Kitchi Gummi. From this point the lake extends easterly 400 miles and westerly 30 miles. Raddison and Grosseillers canoed this lake . . . — — Map (db m180428) HM
The large steel structures protruding into Agate Bay are massive iron ore docks. They replaced the earlier and smaller wooden docks built between 1883 and 1896. Of the three steel docks only Dock 1 and Dock 2 are in service today. Dock 1 the closest . . . — — Map (db m204323) HM
[Text interspersed with photos]
Thomas Owens was affectionately known at "T.O.".
The White Houses located between 2nd and 3rd Avenues on Poplar Street were once owned by Railroad Superintendent George White. After his passing and by . . . — — Map (db m78857) HM
Constructed 1947 - 1951
under supervision
of
Duluth District
Corps of Engineers
Department of U.S. Army
Zenith Dredge Company
Duluth, Minnesota
Contractor — — Map (db m78821) HM
In front of you is one of six docks used for shipping iron ore from Agate Bay. Only three docks remain as of 1995. Agate Bay was the site of the first shipment of iron ore from Minnesota in 1884. Today over 10,000,000 ton of taconite or iron ore is . . . — — Map (db m204342) HM
After the Minnesota Iron Company began shipping iron ore from the Vermilion Range through the Two Harbors ore docks in 1884, this port far surpassed Duluth in importance. The increased traffic of ore boats, combined with commercial fishing, made . . . — — Map (db m78812) HM
You Are Here - The one acre site was purchased by the U.S. Government with construction of the lighthouse beginning in 1891. The Two Harbors Lighthouse Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Originally, a . . . — — Map (db m78817) HM
The Park was built on the location once occupied by the first two permanent buildings in Two Harbors. The Lakeview Hotel and the D&IR Office. Both buildings were moved inland and are still in use today.
Once called Voyagers Park and later Ore . . . — — Map (db m204345) HM
Presented to the City of Two Harbors by the Oscar Anderson Post No. 109,
the American Legion, September 1929.
This 250 m.m. German Minenwerfer howitzer was captured by the Americans in the World's War at St. Mihiel, France, September 16, 1918. . . . — — Map (db m78853) HM WM
