Exploring America State by State

Category Archives: Minnesota

The Beaver House

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The Beaver House is a unique and instantly recognizable building located in downtown Grand Marais, Minnesota. For many, myself included, it embodies a classic Minnesota feel, especially with the giant fish mounted on its corner.

This distinctive structure was once a beloved bait store, established in 1964 by Tyson Cronberg. Cronberg, who was something of an inventor, created and sold his famous Beaver Flicks float lure here, making the shop a favorite stop for fishermen.

Unfortunately, the store was closed during my visit. Cronberg eventually retired so he could finally enjoy fishing himself. The building is currently available for leasing, and I sincerely hope its next tenant appreciates and takes care of this piece of Grand Marais history.

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The Queen of the Railroad

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During my travels across the United States, I’ve encountered many old steam locomotives on display. However, the 225 in Proctor, Minnesota, southwest of Duluth, is undoubtedly the most impressive I’ve seen. The 225 had a the nickname of “The Queen” and I am sure people marvled as it rolled by like royalty.

This magnificent locomotive was manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1941 for the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range (DM&IR) railroad. Designed to transport vast quantities of iron ore the DM&IR ordered eight of these powerful machines initially, and then subsequently ten more. The 225 has two leading wheels, two sets of eight driving wheels, and a four-wheel trailing truck. The type was generally named the “Yellowstone”, a name given it by the first owner, the Northern Pacific Railway, whose lines ran near Yellowstone National Park.

For nearly two decades, these behemoths tirelessly hauled iron ore to fuel the steel mills. However, the advent of more efficient diesel locomotives eventually led to the retirement of these steam giants. In 1963, the 225 was retired and generously donated to the city of Proctor, where it now stands proudly on display, serving as a powerful reminder of the era of the mighty steam locomotives.

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Enger Tower

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Standing on a hill overlooking Duluth, Minnesota is a 80 foot tall stone tower that looks out over the city and the harbor. In 1920, an anonymous donor gave $50,000 to the city of Duluth to purchase land called Grand Mountain to build a park. Eventually people figured out that it was Bert Enger, an immigrant and local businessman, that donated the money. He operated a successful furniture store in Duluth’s West End. The park was named Enger park in honor of his generous donation.

Bert died in 1931, leaving two-thirds of his estate to the City of Duluth and the Enger Park area. He specified that the development should include a lookout tower surrounded by beautified grounds and footpaths. The tower was built in Bert’s memory and dedicated in 1939 by Crown Prince Olav of Norway and his wife Princess Martha.

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Gooseberry Falls

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Gooseberry Falls is along the North Shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. The Gooseberry River cascades over the rocky terrain making for a spectacular waterfall that is part of the Gooseberry State Park. The state park was officially created in 1937 by the Minnesota legislature. The buildings and structures in the park were build using local stone by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

On the land next to the falls was a large CCC camp where two hundred young men lived. They learned construction and conservation techniques while earning $30 a month. The camp ended in 1941 and if you hike the trails near the falls you can still see some of the stone foundations from the old buildings.

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The Edna G Tugboat

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The city Two Harbors, Minnesota stands along the Lake Superior shoreline north of Duluth. Tied up at a dock next to the ore docks is a 100 foot long maroon and yellow tugboat. It was the last steam powered tugboat used on the Great Lakes. It was built in 1896 and retired in 1981 and donated to the city of Two Harbors to be used as a museum ship.

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Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum in Duluth

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a concrete structure is located in the waters of Lake Superior just off the shoreline of Duluth’s Canal Park. Some stories and legends claim it was a bunker or Ice House and some even claim that it was used as a casino during Prohibition. It is known as “the cribs” or “the icebox.” or  Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum. It was built in 1919 by Harvey Whitney, a local businessman who owned a sand and gravel company with his brothers.

The Whitney Brothers built the structure as a hopper to hold sand and gravel from ships and then they used an overhead bucket system to convey the sand to shore. The storms and waves on Lake Superior made it difficult for ships to unload making the project unsuccessful and the hopper was abandoned in 1922.  Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum has been attracting the gaze of curious visitors for over a century. In the hot summer months swimmers like to jump off the structure. During the winter, when the lake is frozen, visitors can walk out to it and explore the abandoned structure.

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The Big Stone Building in Duluth

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This massive brown sandstone building stands near downtown Duluth. It was the Central High School and the clock tower has watched over the city since it was constructed in 1892. Classes were no longer held in the historic school after a new central high school was built in 1971. The building is now used as administrative offices. The building along with some other Duluth locations were used in the filming of the Disney movie Iron Will.

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The Abandoned Minnesota Lighthouse

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An old brick tower stands on Minnesota Point which is a great sand bar near Duluth that separates Superior Bay from Lake Superior. The tower is the remains of the Minnesota Point Lighthouse. Built in 1858, it was the first lighthouse in the North Star State and the starting point where Lake Superior was first surveyed by Henry W. Bayfield of the British Navy in 1823.

1893 postcard of the Minnesota Point Lighthouse

The light was lit for the last time in 1885 when new pierhead lights were added to aid ships in navigating the channel. Keepers lived in the dwelling until 1893 when a new house was built on the Wisconsin side. The old lighthouse has been abandoned for decades and all that remains is a crumbling tower surrounded by a chain link fence.

Hikers can see the old tower by taking the path that runs along the edge of the Sky Harbor Regional Airport (KDYT). It took me about 45 minutes (one way) to hike to the tower. The land was flat but the last one third was loose sand and made for a more arduous hike than I was expecting.  It was sad to see the old tower sitting alone and mostly forgotten considering its historical significance.

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