Itasca County
Historical Society Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Category: Uncategorized

  • Scenic State Park

    Historic rustic log building at Scenic State Park

    Scenic State Park

    Highway 7 East

    New Deal Architecture in Minnesota’s North Woods

    Six park facilities were built at Scenic State Park in 1934–35. One still contains its original furniture and paintings.

    These buildings are significant examples of New Deal federal work relief, state park development, and National Park Service rustic log architecture.

    Two of the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    Built Through New Deal Work Relief

    Constructed in 1934–35, the Scenic State Park facilities represent the federal work-relief programs that created jobs while expanding and improving public recreational spaces during the New Deal era.

    Three Areas of Historical Significance

    The surviving facilities document federal relief work, state park growth, and an influential style of park architecture.

    01

    Federal Work Relief

    The facilities are surviving examples of New Deal programs that provided employment through public construction.

    02

    State Park Development

    Their construction reflects the expansion and improvement of Minnesota’s state park system during the 1930s.

    03

    Rustic Architecture

    The buildings preserve the National Park Service tradition of rustic log design.

    National Park Service Rustic Design

    The Scenic State Park facilities use rustic log construction associated with National Park Service architecture. The style was intended to give park buildings a strong visual relationship to their natural surroundings.

    The Historic Facilities

    6

    Buildings Constructed

    Six park facilities were completed during the 1934–35 construction campaign.

    1

    Preserved Interior

    One facility still contains its original furniture and paintings.

    2

    National Register

    Two of the historic park buildings have National Register recognition.

    Original Furnishings and Paintings

    One of the six facilities retains its original furniture and paintings, preserving not only the architecture but also part of the interior character created during the New Deal development of the park.

    Scenic State Park in the Historical Record

    The park’s historic log facilities remain physical records of 1930s public works and state park development.

    Historic view of a rustic log facility at Scenic State Park
    Historic park facility at Scenic State Park Itasca County Historical Society

    Construction and Preservation

    1934

    Construction Begins

    Work began on the park facilities as part of New Deal federal work-relief and state park development.

    1935

    Six Facilities Completed

    The construction campaign produced six rustic log facilities at Scenic State Park.

    Preserved

    Historic Recognition

    Original interior elements survive in one facility, while two buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    A New Deal Legacy

    Scenic State Park’s historic facilities preserve the combined legacy of federal work relief, Minnesota state park development, and National Park Service rustic architecture. Their surviving buildings, furnishings, and paintings provide a direct connection to the park’s 1934–35 development.

    Itasca County Historical Society Scenic State Park · Itasca County · Minnesota

  • Turtle Oracle Mound

    Turtle Oracle Mound

    Off County Road 35, 20 Miles Northwest of Deer River

    A Rare Sacred Earthwork

    The turtle was probably constructed by the Dakota (Sioux) sometime in the early 1700s.

    It was first referred to in writing by John Baptiste Perrault, a fur trader. He noted that the people consulted the turtle as an oracle and that its head faced toward the enemy’s country.

    The enemy were the Ojibwe. When they took over the site, they continued to hold it sacred but moved the head of the turtle to face southwest, toward where the Dakota had gone.

    The mound lies on the portage between Little Cutfoot Sioux and Bowstring Lakes. It is classified as an intaglio effigy because it is sunken rather than raised—an example of a rare form of mound building.

    Located Along an Ancient Portage

    The mound occupies a portage route between Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake and Bowstring Lake, placing it along an important connection between two bodies of water.

    Between Two Lakes

    01

    Little Cutfoot Sioux Lake

    One end of the portage on which the Turtle Oracle Mound is located.

    02

    Bowstring Lake

    The second body of water connected by the portage route.

    Construction, Record, and Continuity

    The mound’s history includes its probable Dakota construction, Perrault’s written account, and continued sacred importance to the Ojibwe.

    01

    Dakota Construction

    The turtle effigy was probably created by the Dakota sometime in the early 1700s.

    02

    Perrault’s Account

    Fur trader John Baptiste Perrault provided the first known written reference to the turtle and its use as an oracle.

    03

    Ojibwe Stewardship

    After taking control of the site, the Ojibwe continued to hold the turtle mound sacred.

    Continued Sacred Importance

    When the Ojibwe took control of the site, they continued to hold the turtle sacred. They changed its orientation by moving the head to face southwest, toward the region where the Dakota had gone.

    The Turtle’s Orientation

    Earlier Orientation

    Toward the Enemy’s Country

    Perrault recorded that the turtle’s head originally faced toward the country of the Ojibwe.

    Later Orientation

    Facing Southwest

    The Ojibwe moved the turtle’s head to face southwest, toward where the Dakota had gone.

    What Is an Intaglio Effigy?

    The Turtle Oracle Mound is unusual because its form is created below the surrounding ground surface.

    Turtle Oracle Mound

    Sunken Form

    An intaglio effigy is defined by an image or form that is sunken into the ground rather than built upward.

    More Common Mound Form

    Raised Form

    Many other types of mounds are formed by building earth above the surrounding ground level, making this sunken turtle a rare example.

    A Rare and Sacred Place

    The Turtle Oracle Mound preserves a rare form of earthwork and a history connected to both Dakota and Ojibwe people. Its portage location, sacred associations, and unusual intaglio construction distinguish it within the historical landscape of Itasca County.

    Itasca County Historical Society Deer River Area · Itasca County · Minnesota

  • White Oak Point

    White Oak Point

    County Road 11, South of Deer River

    A Place of Enduring Importance

    White Oak Point, a level terrace overlooking the Mississippi River and vast stretches of wild rice, has attracted human occupants since prehistoric times, according to archaeological and historical evidence.

    It is considered the most important prehistoric site in Central Minnesota.

    In more recent times, the Ojibwe lived on this terrace, which they called Nemijimijikan, meaning “point of the oak,” and met French fur traders here.

    Various traders and explorers made note of this distinctive point of land from the late 18th century onward, commenting on the Ojibwe lodges and cultivated fields of corn, potatoes, and squash.

    A treaty of 1867 moved a number of Ojibwe to White Oak Point, but for various reasons the settlement failed, and many at White Oak were relocated to the White Earth Reservation.

    A Terrace Above the Mississippi

    White Oak Point occupies a level terrace overlooking the Mississippi River and extensive wild rice beds. Its elevated position and nearby natural resources helped make it a distinctive and repeatedly occupied place.

    Central Minnesota’s Most Important Prehistoric Site

    Archaeological and historical evidence indicates that people were drawn to White Oak Point from prehistoric times onward, making it a site of exceptional importance in understanding the region’s long history of human occupation.

    A Long Record of Human Presence

    Archaeology, oral history, and written accounts document the importance of White Oak Point across different periods.

    01

    Prehistoric Occupation

    Archaeological evidence shows that the terrace attracted human occupants beginning in prehistoric times.

    02

    Ojibwe Community

    The Ojibwe lived at Nemijimijikan and used the point as a place of residence, cultivation, and gathering.

    03

    Recorded Encounters

    French fur traders, explorers, and other visitors recorded descriptions of the point from the late 18th century onward.

    Nemijimijikan and the Fur Trade

    The Ojibwe called the terrace Nemijimijikan, or “point of the oak.” French fur traders met the Ojibwe here, adding another chapter to the point’s long history as a place of residence, exchange, and travel.

    Cultivated Fields

    01

    Corn

    Historical visitors recorded cultivated cornfields at White Oak Point.

    02

    Potatoes

    Potatoes were among the crops grown by the Ojibwe community on the terrace.

    03

    Squash

    Written accounts also noted fields where squash was cultivated.

    A Distinctive Point of Land

    The place drew the attention of numerous traders and explorers who traveled through the Mississippi River region.

    From the late 18th century onward, written accounts described White Oak Point, its Ojibwe lodges, and its cultivated fields. These observations add to the archaeological evidence documenting the point’s continuing importance.

    1867

    Treaty, Settlement, and Relocation

    A treaty in 1867 moved a number of Ojibwe to White Oak Point. The settlement did not succeed, and many of the Ojibwe at White Oak were later relocated to the White Earth Reservation.

    Itasca County Historical Society Deer River Area · Itasca County · Minnesota

  • Bigfork Village Hall

    Bigfork Village Hall with its original windows

    Bigfork Village Hall

    200 Main Avenue

    A WPA-Built Center for Bigfork

    Bigfork City Hall was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1936 at a cost of $20,000. It was constructed with an exterior finish of local fieldstone.

    The attached garage on the north end originally housed the fire trucks. That area later became the library, serving in that role until about the year 2000.

    In the basement were a dining room, kitchen, council room, furnace room, washrooms, and a cloakroom.

    The upstairs was a versatile gathering space, with movable chairs and room for about 200 people. Movies used to be shown there, and the balcony was where the projector room was reconstructed during the last remodel.

    It has become a community center for Bigfork.

    Built by the WPA

    Completed in 1936, Bigfork City Hall is a product of the Works Progress Administration. Its exterior was finished with local fieldstone, giving the public building a strong connection to the landscape and materials of the surrounding area.

    A Building of Many Uses

    01

    Fire Hall

    The attached garage on the north end originally housed Bigfork’s fire trucks.

    02

    Public Library

    The former garage later became the library and served in that role until about 2000.

    03

    Community Center

    The building has continued its civic role as a community center for Bigfork.

    Designed for Civic Life

    The hall contained spaces for government, dining, entertainment, public gatherings, and essential building services.

    Basement

    The basement included a dining room, kitchen, council room, furnace room, washrooms, and a cloakroom.

    Upstairs Hall

    Movable chairs allowed the upstairs gathering space to accommodate about 200 people.

    Movies and Projection

    Movies were shown in the hall, with a projector room located in the balcony and reconstructed during the last remodel.

    Bigfork Village Hall Today

    The local fieldstone exterior remains one of the building’s defining architectural features.

    East exterior of Bigfork Village Hall
    East exterior of Bigfork Village Hall Itasca County Historical Society

    A Continuing Community Center

    From fire trucks and library shelves to movies, public meetings, and community events, Bigfork Village Hall has adapted to the changing needs of the community while retaining its WPA-era fieldstone character.

    Itasca County Historical Society Bigfork · Itasca County · Minnesota

  • Frank Gran Farmstead

    Frank Gran Farmstead

    Route 1, Bovey

    A Finnish Farmstead in Itasca County

    Frank Gran was one of many Finnish immigrants who came to Itasca County between 1890 and 1940 to carve out a farmstead from the cutover areas left behind by the big loggers.

    Gran established one of the area’s more substantial farming operations and was well known for his dairy herd and potatoes.

    The farm consists of eight buildings, including a two-and-a-half story Queen Anne residence, dairy barn, milk house, and log bunkhouse. The farm’s charm is enhanced by the Swan River, which runs alongside the place.

    Gran served as a county commissioner, and the town where he lived was unofficially named for him by his Finnish contemporaries. He sold the farm in 1946 and retired to California. It continues to be privately owned.

    From Cutover Land to Farm Country

    Between 1890 and 1940, many Finnish immigrants came to Itasca County and established farms on land left behind by large-scale logging. Frank Gran’s farm became one of the more substantial agricultural operations created during this period.

    Buildings of the Farmstead

    Four of the farmstead’s eight buildings illustrate the domestic and agricultural life of the property.

    01

    Queen Anne Residence

    A substantial two-and-a-half-story home served as the farmstead’s main residence.

    02

    Dairy Barn

    The dairy barn supported the herd for which Gran’s farming operation became well known.

    03

    Milk House

    The milk house formed an important part of the farm’s dairy operation.

    04

    Log Bunkhouse

    The log bunkhouse reflects the working character of the farmstead.

    A Substantial Farming Operation

    Dairy Herd

    Gran was widely known for the farm’s dairy herd, supported by the property’s dairy barn and milk house.

    Potatoes

    Potato production was another important and well-known part of Gran’s farming operation.

    Farmstead and Community

    1890–1940

    Finnish Immigration

    Finnish immigrants came to Itasca County and established farms throughout the region’s cutover areas.

    Public Service

    County Commissioner

    Frank Gran served as a county commissioner, while the town where he lived was unofficially named for him by Finnish contemporaries.

    1946

    Farm Sold

    Gran sold the farm and retired to California. The property continues to be privately owned.

    Along the Swan River

    The Swan River runs alongside the Frank Gran Farmstead, adding to the rural character and charm of the privately owned property.

    Itasca County Historical Society Bovey Area · Itasca County · Minnesota

  • Hill Annex Mine

    Hill Annex Mine near Calumet, Minnesota

    Hill Annex Mine

    Calumet

    A Spectacular Monument to Minnesota Mining

    The Hill Annex Mine excavation, which is one mile long, three-quarters of a mile wide and 500 feet deep, is a spectacular site. Spectacular, too, is the amount of ore that was mined from it.

    During the first half of the 20th century, Hill Annex and the rest of the Mesabi Range produced 85 percent of the country’s iron ore.

    Spanning 60 years, the site illustrates the technological changes made in the entire industry. Hill Annex started early enough to have used horse power. It also used steam power, was the first major all-electric mine, and made the change to processing taconite.

    The site includes an office building, laboratory, maintenance shop, wooden watch tower, processors, trucks, conveyors, and rail cars. Hill Annex is currently operated as a state park.

    Sixty Years of Changing Technology

    Hill Annex illustrates the major technological changes that transformed the mining industry.

    01

    Horse Power

    The mine began early enough in the industry’s development to use horse power.

    02

    Steam Power

    Steam-powered equipment became part of the mine’s changing operations.

    03

    Electric Power

    Hill Annex became the first major all-electric mine.

    04

    Taconite Processing

    The mine also made the transition to processing taconite.

    An Industrial Landscape

    The Hill Annex site includes an office building, laboratory, maintenance shop, wooden watch tower, processors, trucks, conveyors, and rail cars—preserving the many parts of a large-scale mining operation.

    Hill Annex in the Historical Record

    The mine preserves evidence of the machinery, transportation, and processing systems that shaped iron mining on the Mesabi Range.

    Historic photograph of Hill Annex Mine
    Historic view of Hill Annex Mine near Calumet Itasca County Historical Society

    A Record of the Mesabi Range

    Spanning 60 years of operation, Hill Annex Mine documents the transition from horse and steam power to electric mining and taconite processing. The site is no longer available for public viewing.

  • Oliver Boarding House

    Oliver Boarding House

    Jessie Street, Marble

    Oliver Boarding House on Jessie Street in Marble Historic Iron Range Housing

    Housing the Iron Range Workforce

    Before 1930, nearly every Iron Range community had a number of boarding houses, which were essential to meeting the housing needs of the flood of miners who came during the Range boom of 1901–25.

    The Oliver Boarding House, owned by Oliver Mining and operated by a lessee, is the only known Oliver house remaining on the Western Mesabi Iron Range.

    It was built in about 1909, when Marble was known as “Tent City” because of the mushrooming of miners’ housing.

    It is a two-story, gable-roofed frame structure on a stone foundation. The interior retains the original design: a first floor with a kitchen, sitting room, and large dining room, with sleeping rooms upstairs.

    It ceased to be a boarding house in the 1920s and is used today as a private residence.

    The Iron Range Boom

    During the Range boom of 1901–25, miners arrived faster than many communities could construct permanent housing. Boarding houses provided essential rooms and meals for this growing workforce and became a familiar part of nearly every Iron Range community.

    Marble’s “Tent City” Years

    When the Oliver Boarding House was built around 1909, miners’ housing was appearing so quickly that Marble became known as “Tent City.” The boarding house provided more substantial accommodations during this period of rapid growth.

    A Practical Boarding House

    The building’s straightforward construction reflects its original purpose as durable, efficient housing for miners.

    01

    Frame Construction

    The boarding house is a two-story wooden frame structure.

    02

    Gable Roof

    A traditional gable roof gives the building its straightforward residential form.

    03

    Stone Foundation

    The wooden structure rests on a durable stone foundation.

    The Original Interior Design

    The interior retains the arrangement created for shared meals, social life, and upstairs sleeping accommodations.

    First Floor

    Shared Living and Dining

    • Kitchen
    • Sitting room
    • Large dining room
    Second Floor

    Sleeping Accommodations

    • Sleeping rooms

    From Boarding House to Private Home

    1901–25

    Range Boom

    A flood of miners arrived on the Iron Range, creating an urgent need for boarding houses and other housing.

    c. 1909

    Boarding House Built

    Oliver Mining constructed the boarding house during Marble’s “Tent City” period.

    1920s

    Boarding Use Ends

    The building ceased operating as a boarding house and later became a private residence.

    A Rare Western Mesabi Survivor

    The Oliver Boarding House preserves an important part of daily life during the Iron Range mining boom. Owned by Oliver Mining and operated by a lessee, it is the only known Oliver house remaining on the Western Mesabi Iron Range.

    Itasca County Historical Society Marble · Itasca County · Minnesota

  • Bovey City Hall

    Bovey City Hall

    402 2nd St., Bovey

    Bovey City Hall at 402 2nd Street Built in 1934

    A New Civic Hall for a Growing Village

    The village of Bovey, which sprang up with the development of the Western Mesabi Iron Range, started with a modest municipal facility.

    The original village hall was a one-story concrete block structure that faced an alley and barely housed a fire truck and a meeting room.

    The outlook for a new building was dampened by the Great Depression, but soon the Public Works Administration came to the rescue. With a PWA grant and a local bond issue, a new hall was built in 1934.

    It was one of the first PWA projects completed in Minnesota.

    The building blends Richardsonian Romanesque, Baroque Revival, and Renaissance Revival styles. It has a distinct Scandinavian flavor.

    The architect was William Ingemann, who designed many Minnesota buildings, including the Sawyer Hotel in Stillwater, now part of the Lowell Inn.

    The First Village Hall

    Bovey’s original municipal facility was a modest one-story concrete block building facing an alley. With only enough room for a fire truck and a meeting room, it could no longer meet the needs of the growing Iron Range village.

    Building During the Great Depression

    Federal assistance and local investment combined to give Bovey a more substantial civic building.

    01

    Economic Hardship

    The Great Depression initially dampened prospects for replacing Bovey’s inadequate village hall.

    02

    Public Funding

    A Public Works Administration grant and a local bond issue provided the funding needed for construction.

    03

    Early PWA Completion

    The new hall became one of the first Public Works Administration projects completed in Minnesota.

    Three Architectural Traditions

    Bovey City Hall combines several historic architectural influences in a single civic building.

    01

    Richardsonian Romanesque

    The building incorporates elements associated with the substantial and grounded character of Richardsonian Romanesque design.

    02

    Baroque Revival

    Baroque Revival influences contribute to the building’s formal and expressive civic appearance.

    03

    Renaissance Revival

    Renaissance Revival elements add balance and classical formality to the overall design.

    Together, these architectural styles are expressed with a distinct Scandinavian flavor.

    Architect William Ingemann

    William Ingemann designed Bovey City Hall along with many other buildings throughout Minnesota. His work included the Sawyer Hotel in Stillwater, which is now part of the Lowell Inn.

    From Mining Village to Civic Landmark

    Early Years

    A Modest Facility

    Bovey’s first hall was a one-story concrete block building with space for little more than a fire truck and meeting room.

    Depression Era

    Funding the Project

    A PWA grant and local bond issue overcame the economic barriers to constructing a new municipal building.

    1934

    New Hall Completed

    The present Bovey City Hall was completed as one of Minnesota’s first finished PWA projects.

    Bovey City Hall in the Historical Record

    The 1934 building reflects both the civic ambitions of the village and the public investment programs of the Great Depression.

    Historic photograph of Bovey City Hall
    Bovey City Hall, 402 2nd St., Bovey Itasca County Historical Society
    Itasca County Historical Society Bovey · Itasca County · Minnesota

  • Mining Superintendent’s Residence

    Mining Superintendent’s Residence

    100 Cole Ave., Coleraine

    A Showcase Home in Coleraine

    The superintendent’s home, built in 1910–11, stands next to the Oliver Mining Company district office, which is also on the National Register.

    The two-and-a-half-story frame structure, with a multi-gabled roof, was considered quite lavish when it was built.

    The landscaped grounds, with a manicured lawn and well-kept flower beds, made the home a community showcase. It was the setting for many social gatherings during the first half of the 20th century.

    John C. Greenway, the first superintendent and the town’s planner, lived in a log house and moved on to a new position before this house was completed.

    The home was carefully maintained by the mining company and is now privately owned.

    Beside the District Office

    The residence occupies a prominent location next to the Oliver Mining Company district office on Cole Avenue. Together, the properties reflect the close relationship between company management and the planned development of Coleraine.

    A Lavish Company Residence

    The scale, roofline, and carefully maintained setting distinguished the house within the community.

    01

    Frame Construction

    The superintendent’s home was built as a substantial wood-frame residence.

    02

    Multi-Gabled Roof

    Multiple gables give the roofline a prominent and complex appearance.

    03

    Two-and-a-Half Stories

    The size of the residence contributed to its reputation as a lavish company home.

    A Community Showcase

    Manicured lawns and well-kept flower beds complemented the large residence. The carefully landscaped grounds helped make the superintendent’s home a showcase within the community.

    More Than a Company Home

    Social Gatherings

    The residence hosted many social gatherings during the first half of the 20th century.

    Company Stewardship

    The Oliver Mining Company carefully maintained both the residence and its landscaped grounds.

    John C. Greenway

    Greenway was Coleraine’s first mining superintendent and the town’s planner. He lived in a log house and moved to a new position before the superintendent’s residence was completed.

    Residence and Community

    Before 1911

    Greenway Moves On

    John C. Greenway left for a new position before the superintendent’s residence was completed.

    1910–11

    Residence Completed

    The two-and-a-half-story, multi-gabled company residence was constructed beside the district office.

    20th Century

    A Social Setting

    The home and its landscaped grounds became a setting for numerous community social gatherings.

    Carefully Maintained

    Once maintained by the mining company as a residence and community showcase, the Mining Superintendent’s Residence is now privately owned.

    Itasca County Historical Society Coleraine · Itasca County · Minnesota

  • The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

    The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

    601 Cole Ave., Coleraine

    The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Coleraine

    Coleraine’s Oldest Church

    Erected in 1908, this log building is Coleraine’s oldest church. It is one of the few log structures that has continued to serve its original purpose into the late 20th century.

    Like other buildings in Coleraine, it was part of the Oliver Mining Company’s town plan. The church was constructed for use by company management personnel and came to be a major social center for them.

    John C. Greenway, district mining superintendent, personally supervised the church’s construction, as he did many other Coleraine buildings.

    Pine and birch logs were used from nearby forests, and magnificent stained glass windows grace each of the facades.

    Part of Coleraine’s Town Plan

    The church was one of the buildings included in the Oliver Mining Company’s plan for Coleraine. Constructed for use by company management personnel, it became an important social center for that community.

    Materials and Craftsmanship

    01

    Pine Logs

    Pine logs used in the church were gathered from nearby forests.

    02

    Birch Logs

    Birch provided a second local material for the log structure.

    03

    Stained Glass

    Magnificent stained glass windows grace each of the building’s facades.

    The Good Shepherd in the Historical Record

    The building’s log construction and stained glass distinguish it among Coleraine’s historic structures.

    Historic view of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Coleraine
    The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Coleraine Itasca County Historical Society

    A Continuing Place of Worship

    The Church of the Good Shepherd is one of the few log structures that continued to serve its original purpose into the late 20th century, preserving both Coleraine’s architectural heritage and an important part of its community history.

    Itasca County Historical Society Coleraine · Itasca County · Minnesota