Historical Markers and War Memorials in Two Harbors, Minnesota
Two Harbors is the county seat for Lake County
Two Harbors is in Lake County
Lake County(61) ► ADJACENT TO LAKE COUNTY Cook County(37) ► Saint Louis County(119) ► Ashland County, Wisconsin(20) ► Bayfield County, Wisconsin(22) ► Douglas County, Wisconsin(22) ►
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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
On 6th Street (County Route 20) at 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling north on 6th Street.
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
Near Waterfront Drive, 0.1 miles south of South Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
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
On South Avenue at 6th Street (County Route 20), on the right when traveling east on South Avenue.
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
On South Avenue at 6th Street (County Route 20), on the right when traveling east on South Avenue.
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
On 6th Street (County Route 20) at South Avenue, on the right when traveling south on 6th Street.
[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
Near Waterfront Drive, 0.1 miles south of South Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
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
On 3rd Street, 0.3 miles south of South Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
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
Near State Highway 61, 3 miles north of Blueberry Hill Road.
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
Near State Highway 61, 0.3 miles north of Superior Shores Drive, on the right when traveling east.
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
Near Minnesota Route 61 at milepost 30, on the right when traveling north.
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
On Waterfront Drive south of South Avenue, on the left when traveling south.
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
On 6th Street (County Route 20) at 2nd Avenue, on the right when traveling north on 6th Street.
[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
Near Waterfront Drive, 0.1 miles south of South Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
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
Near Waterfront Drive, 0.1 miles south of South Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
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
On 6th Street (County Route 20) at 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north on 6th Street.
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
