Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program - Funded Projects
Cultural & Historical Coastal Resources Protection, Preservation & Enhancement
306-09-09: Shipwreck Preservation - Saving Views into NW Lake Superior's Past
In 1996, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society (GLSPS) formed to foster and perform stabilization and restoration of deteriorating Great Lakes shipwrecks. GLSPS identifies three 2007-appropriate tasks to preserve NW Lake Superior's shipwreck history for further study, educational use, expanded recreational diver use, improved safety, and artifact protection by National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nomination.
- Documentation of the undocumented 1891 May Flower wreck site four miles outside Duluth. An 1889, 147' Great Lakes scow schooner that sank while hauling sandstone block for Duluth Central High School. Few reasonably intact scow schooners now survive in Lake Superior.
- S.P. Ely wreck stabilization reinforcement. At the west breakwall of Two Harbors, the popular dive site and 1896 NRHP wreck was damaged by the Corps of Engineers in 1992.
- C. Site survey and nomination to the NRHP of the 1902 deep-water wreck of the 230' Robert Wallace. The most intact wooden freighter in Minnesota waters, it lies 13 miles from Duluth.
The Bay Area Historical Society received a log building donation that originally was part of the Finland CCC camp. The building has been moved to land acquired by the City and will is used as an interpretive center housing a museum, visitor center, and acts as a trailhead for the Gitchi-Gami State Trail.
306A-09-01: Improvements for Beaver Bay History Center
The Beaver Bay History Center projects to help draw visitors into the building. Driveway widened, gravel added, and grading to provide access to a small parking lot and handicap ramp; parking lot needs additional gravel and grading to provide parking for 8-12 vehicles.
306A-03-01: North House Renovation and Sewer Improvement
The North House Folk Schools enrollment continues to increase which makes an improved classroom a priority. It is currently not hooked to city sewer and given the location and increased public traffic, sewer hookup is a formidable and necessary task. Projects will complete renovation of one 30 ft by 70 ft building and partial renovation of another 30 ft by 70 ft historic classroom building.
306-11-00: Hovland Dock Restoration Phase I
A combination of recreation, interpretive, and site restoration to the historic Hovland dock, representing an early 20th century steamer transportation network. Project Summary Sheet 1 page 202 kb
306A-04-01: Handicapped Accessible Elevator for the Cross River/Stickney Heritage Center
The purchase and installation of a handicapped accessible elevator. Access to everyone is an essential part of the renovation/preservation project that restores a unique, 3-story, historic landmark in Schroeder, Minnesota for a heritage/community center.
306-09-06: Neegee Restoration
Built in the 1930s, the Neegee is the only fishing tug built in Grand Marais. She served as the harbor work horse until the 1960's when she was sold. Project Summary Sheet 1 page 439 kb
306A-05-07: Museum Archival Building
The Cook County Historical Society is building archival storage and creating handicapped access to the main floor of the existing museum. The Society, established in 1924, and under exceptional leadership began immediately to document the history of the county from the days of La Verendyre. The first museum established by the Society was at Grand Portage, the site that some feel to be the earliest white settlement in Minnesota. The fiber-textile acquisitions now owned by the Grand Portage National Monument were to a large part donated by the Cook County Historical Society in 1960. The first Cook County Museum Build was created in 1966 when the 1896 Light House Keeper's house was acquired. As yet, however, there has been no adequate archival storage for the county's collection. The Minnesota Historical Society has worked with the local society in seeking a solution. MHS looked at various possibilities open to Cook County. The recommendation has been building a new building on existing property immediately behind the Museum. The building envisioned would have 700 square feet of archival storage on the lower level. It would incorporate a workroom and mechanicals (HVAC unit). On the main level, attached to the Museum, would be an office/reception, bathroom, handicapped entrance into the main floor of the Museum. There would also be 700 square foot of "future space" for displays.
306A-02-08: Gooseberry Falls CCC Stone Table Rehabilitation
Restoration and rehabilitation of up to 19 of the remaining Civilian Conservation Corps stone picnic tables at Gooseberry Falls State Park. The tables were built in 1935, featured granite side supports with split log seats and table tops, and were listed in 1988 as contributing elements in the 640-acre National Register of Historic Places historic district known as "Gooseberry Falls State Park CCC/Rustic Style Historic Resources". This project will includes research into historic CCC table design and construction techniques, development of construction project specifications based on this research, execution of a contract for table restoration work, GPS mapping of the other contributing elements to the Gooseberry Falls historic district, and development of an interpretive sign for park visitors about the tables and the CCC at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
306A-03-08: Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook - Rehabilitation
The overlook is one of a dwindling number of legacy properties resulting from the MN Department of Highways roadside development movement. This initiative emphasized planning, sound engineering, and landscaping to increase highway safety and enhance the growing auto tourism industry that had begun in earnest in the 1920s. The overlook is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Rehabilitation work will include:
Stone overlook: Repair historic scenic overlook wall.
Vegetation: Selectively clear vegetation to restore views to the Split Rock Lighthouse. Plant low-growing native shrubs to control access to the Gitchi Gami Trail and reestablish turf as necessary.
Interpretation: Develop and install an interpretive sign based on consultation with the North Shore Scenic Dive Council, DNR, and MHS.
ADA/Accessibility: Install a sensitively place handicap-accessible curb cut to ensure access to the overlook wall, markers, walk, interpretive sign, and scenic views.
306A-06-02: Viking Ship Superstructure - WITHDRAWN
The Leif Erikson Restoration Project (LERP)"Viking Ship Superstructure" fund will help supply the materials for constructing a permanent roof structure for the restored Leif Erickson Viking Ship.
306A-07-05: Viking Ship Superstructure - WITHDRAWN
This project will consist of site preparation, foundation construction, and erection of a roof to protect the Leif Erikson Viking Ship Restoration work.
