Two Harbors, Minnesota


Two Harbors is a city in and the county seat of Lake County, Minnesota, United States, along the shore of Lake Superior. The population was 3,745 at the 2010 census
Minnesota State Highway 61 serves as a main route in Two Harbors. Gooseberry Falls State Park is to the northeast.

History

In the early years Two Harbors consisted of two separate communities, Agate Bay and Burlington. The village of Burlington along Burlington Bay was platted in 1856, first incorporated on May 23, 1857; it had a post office that operated from 1856 until 1862. The first residence constructed in Agate Bay was owned by Thomas Sexton ; it was a 14- by 16-foot shack. Early settlers lived in primitive conditions, which was common for both the area and time. Their homes were made of logs and had dirt floors. Diets often consisted of homegrown vegetables and animals caught in the area. The village of Agate Bay was created with the construction camp as work on the new railroad began in 1883. The village of Two Harbors was platted in 1885 but not incorporated until 1888. Early transportation to the village was by boats under contract with the new Duluth and Iron Range Railroad. It took only "one short day" to get from Duluth to Two Harbors. By 1886 the D&IR completed the Lake Division connecting Duluth and Two Harbors with passenger service that extended to Ely. Thirty-five logging camps were set up within the vicinity, one of them on Fourth Avenue. On February 26, 1907, the village reincorporated as the City of Two Harbors.
The town's history is included in the Lake County Historical Depot Museum.

Whiskey Row

By 1883 the Minnesota Iron Company had purchased all but four acres of Thomas Sexton's land around Agate Bay. Sexton leased his remaining four acres to merchants seeking to capitalize on the 600-man workforce arriving to build the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad. He divided his four acres into 32 lots. As with any frontier town of the day it was a largely male population. The infamous four-acre plot earned the nickname "Whiskey Row", and was said to exist for the sole purpose of "relieving a man from his pay".
Contrary to popular myth, Whiskey Row was not destroyed by a fire in 1888. There was a fire but it occurred before the first load of ore arrived in July 1884 and only seven buildings were damaged. It was reported that the merchants affected were in Duluth the next day purchasing materials to rebuild. Whiskey Row's demise occurred the following year.
The railroad rapidly expanded its rail and shipping operations and needed all of the shoreline for its new coal handling and storage facility. By 1885 the Minnesota Iron Company convinced Sexton to sell his remaining four acres along Agate Bay. The railroad then simply evicted the tenants and moved any of the salvageable buildings inland. There are several homes in "east" Two Harbors whose original structures were on Whiskey Row.

Geography and climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all of it land.
Two Harbors is 20 miles northeast of the city of Duluth. It is along Lake Superior, which contributes the two natural harbors for which Two Harbors is named, Burlington Bay and Agate Bay. The warmest month in the year is July, the coldest January. The record high temperature was in 1948, the record low in 1996.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Two Harbors is in a region called the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province, which contains broad areas of coniferous forest, mixed hardwood, and conifer bogs and swamps. The region averages 21 to of precipitation per year and has an average temperature of 34 to.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 3,745 people, 1,649 households, and 951 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 1,799 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 97.2% White, 0.2% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.
There were 1,649 households of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.3% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.85.
The median age in the city was 41.3 years. 22% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 21.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 3,613 people, 1,636 households, and 953 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,120.7 people per square mile. There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 98.06% White, 0.06% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population. 19.4% were of Norwegian, 18.0% Swedish, 12.2% German, 9.6% Finnish, 8.0% Irish and 5.7% English ancestry.
There were 1,523 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city, the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,708, and the median income for a family was $47,113. Males had a median income of $39,712 versus $29,076 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,793. About 7.2% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

In 1901, the village of Two Harbors decided it needed a high school. On February 12, 1902, Two Harbors Central High School was dedicated at a total cost of $35,025. It was on the 400 block of Fourth Avenue, and had 50 students and three teachers. The first students to graduate were Mary Rylander and Ann Paulson. The school taught arithmetic, grammar, and American history. Very little English was taught at the time. In 1903 Latin and music were introduced. Courses in science and sewing were added in 1906. Manual training and domestic services were introduced in 1908. By 1909 the school had 98 students and seven teachers. By 1910 the school library had 7,000 books. Plans for a new building were announced in 1935, at an estimated $100,000. The original Central High School was demolished and the new building was completed in 1939. At completion, and after all additions were made, the total cost was $585,000. A referendum for a new building two miles north of town on Lake County Highway 2 was passed in 2003. Building was completed and classes began in 2005. Students use the hiking trails in the woods, around ponds, and the football field. The former high school on 4th Avenue was demolished in 2008.

Railroad

Had it not been for the discovery of nearby iron ore, Two Harbors would not exist. The Minnesota Iron Company bought of land in order to build their railroad. In Agate Bay most of the land was bought from Thomas Sexton, who by that time had owned the land for twenty years.
2-8-8-4 "Yellowstone" preserved at Two Harbors station.
Although different locations were considered for the railroad terminus and shipping port, Agate Bay was chosen because it was closer to the iron ore site and provided a clay bottom bay, while most others were rocky.
At time when the track was being developed the main transportation route was Lake Superior. This proved difficult when heavy loads such as railroad engines nearly sank the scows, or tugs, that carried them. The contractor, John. S. Wolfe, was told he would receive a bonus of $50,000 if the railroad was completed by August 1st 1884. Because the first of August was to fall on a Friday, and construction workers had strong superstitions about Fridays, it became important that the construction be completed by Thursday, July 31st. On that day, the first iron ore cars left Agate Bay early in the morning, along with a caboose for President Tower to ride in on the return trip.
The completion of the railway between Duluth and Two Harbors did not occur until 1886.
The North Shore Scenic Railroad operates a six-hour excursion starting in Duluth which has a two-hour break in Two Harbors.
A 2-6-0 Mogul class steam locomotive with the first style of ore cars and caboose are on display by the historic Duluth and Iron Range depot.
A 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone class steam locomotive is on display at Two Harbors. It ranks among the largest steam locomotives ever built.

Industry

Cigar factories

Two Harbors Cigar Factory was built in 1900 by John H. Kallin on the 100 block of 7th Street. The local trade alone required about 30,000 cigars each month. They came in eight regular brands and five specialty. In 1907 Ed Sorenson built Sorenson Cigar Factory. Neither factory is still in operation.

Universal Fiberglass

In 1964 the abandoned DM&IR railroad buildings were used to open Universal Fiberglass. Producing three wheel mailsters for the United States Postal Service was their main contract, worth millions. In addition, car fenders and like objects were also produced. When a fire caused enough damage that they could no longer fulfill their contract, the GSA shut them down. The property was sold at a public auction.

Bottling works

Two Harbors Bottling works began in 1912. They offered flavors of pop such as cream soda, ginger ale, cider, and seltzer water. The company became especially known for their strawberry pop's unique flavor—a creamier and more natural one than the rest. This business is no longer running.

3M

, originally known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, was started by five men from Two Harbors. When the five founders thought they had found mineral called corundum, which could be used to make sandpaper, they began the process of setting up a mining company. The five men were Henry S. Bryan, Dr. J. Danley Budd, Herman Cable, William McGonagle, and John Dwan. To get the company started they erected a large dock, crushing mill and bunk and storage houses. After selling the corundum to a company in Chicago the men learned that it wasn't really corundum and moved on to other ventures. In 1905 the company was moved to Duluth and then in 1907 to St. Paul. The company still had ties in Two Harbors until the death of John Dwan. Now the only tie 3M has to Two Harbors is a museum in Dwan's original office.
The museum is in 3M's original building. Exhibits include Dwan's recreated office and other artifacts; a history of the company including photos and documents; a "lab" area representing the establishment of research and development, product diversification and growth; and hands-on interactive programs and technology applications. The original office building has been restored and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Granite Gear

Granite Gear, started in 1986, produces heavy-duty backpacks for the military and outdoors.

Community service

Lake County Search and Rescue

Lake County Search and Rescue is a division of Lake County's Sheriff department. It was created in 1971 and placed in Two Harbors. The formation of the service was helped by Silver Bay Search and Rescue. Its first meeting place was a room at the depot, from there it moved to the old Svee Distributing building at 616 3rd Avenue. In 1980 it took over the former U.S. Forestry Service garage complex on 16th Avenue.

Two Harbors Public Library

The Two Harbors Public Library originally opened as a Carnegie Library in 1909 with a $15,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie. Prior to that, the collections of books were shuffled from space to space in a variety of city offices. In 1983, an addition was added to the library, providing street access and a total of 8,000 square feet. The Two Harbors Public Library currently houses over 30,000 books, magazines, CDs, audiobooks, and DVDs. In addition, the Archives Room contains photographic collections as well as local newspapers dating back to the late 1890s. Residents of the city of Two Harbors and the surrounding rural area are served by the Two Harbors Public Library and, through the library's membership, the Arrowhead Library System.

Events, tourism, and festivies

''Edna G.''

Built in 1896, the Edna G. was named after the president of the railroad's daughter, Edna Greatsinger, this tug is "one of a kind". The Edna G. stayed in Two Harbors its entire working career except for a small stint during World War I it spent two years on the east coast moving warships around. Until its retirement in 1981, the Edna G. was the last coal-fired, steam-powered tugboat in operation of the Great Lakes. The boat is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours of this vessel are available from trained guides in the spring-fall from 10am to 5pm. A trip includes a visit to the engine room, and seeing the pilot house, where the passengers are allowed to blow the horn.

John Beargrease

Mok-qua Bennete, or John Beargrease as he was better known, was an Ojibway man who delivered the mail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais. The following is a story found in "Memoirs and Experiences at Beaver Bay and Duluth" by H.P. Wieland, as told by Mrs. John Stein about how John engaged a bear.

"Mok-qua Bennette was his real name. On the way to Beaver Bay in 1870 he spied a bear sunning itself under a large spruce. Because of weather conditions - three feet of snow - it was impossible for the bear to move fast. The bear looked like good meat to the Indian who, unfortunately, didn't have a gun with him. He took a ten foot stick and attached a butcher knife to it thinking he would stab the bear to death. All he could do was tickle the bear. Seeing his method didn't work he cut a piece from a birch sapling with his tomahawk and tried to kill the bear by clubbing him to death. After the first blow he fell back while drawing away and got tangled in the limbs of the fallen tree. Mok-qua attacked the Indian, clawing his shoulder and arms. He did not bite him. The bear left the Indian who was unconscious. The Indian regained consciousness at night and when he did he was very sick and almost frozen. He somehow dragged himself to the farm of Jacob Hangarner who, after warming and feeding him, brough him to Beaver Bay. The Indian suffered more from exposure than from the attack."

Jacob Hangirner was Mrs. Stein's father.
Beargrease was the only lifeline to the outside world.
The John Beargrease Dog Sled Race was started as a tribute to John Beargrease for his vital role in the early history of the North Shore of Lake Superior. The race covers nearly four hundred miles on the route between Duluth and Grand Portage. The race is traditionally held in the last week of January.

Other

The city also hosts the Lake County Fair, The Two Harbors Folk Festival, Heritage Days, and the Two Harbors Kayak Festival. Two Harbors is one of the checkpoints for the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, as well as the start line for the Grandma's Marathon and the NorthShore Inline Marathon. Author, Dean L. Hovey, wrote a mystery set in a fictional Two Harbors senior living center entitled, "Whistling Pines", followed by a sequels entitled "Whistling Sousa" and Whistling Wings.
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Parks and recreation

Two Harbors provides five community parks within the city limits. These parks provide picnic tables, baseball, soccer, and football fields, and playground equipment. The Thomas Owens Park houses the city's band shell, home of the Two Harbors City Band, the oldest city band existing in Minnesota.
Two Harbors is the gateway city to the Northern Shore of Minnesota. Highway 61 is the only major highway heading north/north-east along the shore of Lake Superior and is the fastest way to travel to the eight state parks of the North Shore, as well as Wayside rests and Lake-shore access. These include Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche, George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, Temperance River State Park, Cascade River State Park, Judge C.R. Magney State Park, and Grand Portage State Park.

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Located 13 miles up Highway 61 Gooseberry Falls State Park included the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls of the Gooseberry River, and miles of trails, lake-shore picnic area and campground. Year round recreation includes hiking, kayaking, and biking in the warm months, with skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. A 15-mile stretch of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail connects Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

5 miles further up Hw61 Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is home to the Split Rock Lighthouse. Located within but separate from the State Park, and run by the Minnesota Historical Society, the 1910 lighthouse grounds are open year-round for tours, and the lighthouse and restored buildings are open from May to October for historic tours. The State Park offers miles of hiking trails, picnicking along the shore of Lake Superior, as well as access to the Gitchi-Gami bike trail and Lake Superior Hiking Trail. The secluded cart-in and backpack campsites are consistently voted among the best in the State for their privacy and views of Lake Superior.

Tettegouche State Park

35 miles past Two Harbors, on the Baptism River, Tettegouche State Park is the largest park located on the North Shore covering over. Campers can stay in either the two campgrounds, remote hike-in or modern drive-in rental cabins. Features include six inland lakes, two and a half miles of Lake Superior Shoreline, and four beautiful waterfalls. Visitors can take advantage of the hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, skiing and snowmobile trails available.

Trails

Two Harbors offers access to Minnesota trails. The Sonju hiking trail can be used to view the Two Harbors shoreline, and the Gitchi-Gami State Trail is available for use by pedestrians, bicyclists, and skaters. North Shore State Snowmobile Trail includes scenic views for snowmobilers, as do the Yukon Snowmobile Trail and Brimson Snowmobile Trail. There is also the Erkki Harju Ski Trail.

Notable people