Historical Sites

Home Explore Lake County Historical Sites

Discover The North Shore's history

The Lake County Historic Tour gives visitors a glimpse into the Minnesota North Shore’s rich past of its shipping, logging, and mining industries.

Tour the Two Harbors Light Station – the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on Minnesota’s North Shore, the iconic Split Rock Lighthouse, the 3M Museum where the now global company originated, and much more!

Make plans for a long weekend and discover the historical gems of Lake County.

Historical sites in Lake County

3M Museum

Did you know that 3M company originated in Lake County? The 3M Museum in Two Harbors resides in the original Dwan Law Office Building. The ...

Anchor Memorial

While taking in the variety of activities, shopping, and food Two Harbors has to offer, don’t miss out on getting a glimpse back in time ...

Bay Area Historical Society

Encompass the history of Beaver Bay, the oldest immigrant settlement on Minnesota’s north shore, and Silver Bay, built-in 1956 by Reserve Mining Company to house ...

Bridge No. 3589, Silver Creek Township

Bridge No. 3589 (the Silver Creek Bridge), located just north of Two Harbors across Betty’s Pies, was a historically reinforced concrete arch bridge that carried ...

Coca-Cola Mural

Folks in Two Harbors love the giant Coke Sign that’s been around for decades, maybe because it’s just cool or maybe because it makes the ...

Edna G

The tugboat, Edna G, once worked the Great Lakes and is now preserved as a museum ship. Edna G was built by the Cleveland Shipbuilding ...

The Finland Minnesota Heritage Site in Finland, Minnesota

Finland MN Historical Society Heritage Site

The Finland MN Historical Society, founded in 1986, has preserved the John Pine Homestead, creating the Finland Heritage Site. Many area locals remember stories of ...

Kawishiwi Lodge

The small, family-owned lake resort was established in 1924, along with 20 contributing properties. The lodge serves as a rare surviving example of a once-common ...

Knife River Depot

The Knife River Depot, built during the 19th century, offers visitors a glimpse of life along Lake Superior more than 200 years ago.

Lake County Courthouse

The Lake County Courthouse, the first original courthouse of Lake County, originated as a wooden building built in Two Harbors in 1887. In 1904, it ...

Lake County Historical Society

Organized in 1925, the mission of the Lake County Historical Society is to preserve the history of Lake County, Minnesota through the preservation, study and ...

Little Red School House

The Little Red Schoolhouse of Larsmont, established by Swedish and Finnish settlers in 1914, reflects a unique piece of history on the North Shore and ...

Mattson House and Fish House

See the remains of the Mattson House, built in 1902, and the old fish house built around 1930. The two of the few surviving buildings ...

Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse stands as a North Shore icon perched on the cliffs of Lake Superior. The historical lighthouse became a National Historic Landmark in ...

Tettegouche Camp Historic District

Once a private hunting club for local businessmen, the land was purchased from the Alger Smith Logging Company in 1910, with the original camp buildings ...

The Duluth and Iron Range Depot Museum

The Duluth and Iron Range Railroad played a vital role in the development of northern Minnesota’s economy and its iron ore industry, serving passenger and ...

The Halfway Ranger Station

The Halfway Ranger Station historical sight, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934, remains a hidden gem along the North Shore. It has made ...

The Two Harbors Band Shell

The Band Shell, located in the heart of Two Harbors, reflects the rich tradition of providing summertime music to its citizens since 1937. Check our ...

Toimi School House

Travel back to Toimi, a beautiful, unincorporated community started by Finnish settlers in the early 1900s. Then, visit Tomi’s crown jewel: a classic one-room schoolhouse ...

Two Harbors Carnegie Library

The Two Harbors Carnegie Library was built in 1909 with a $15,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, along with more than 3,000 libraries in 47 states ...

Two Harbors Light Station & Museum

The Two Harbors Light Station remains the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on Minnesota’s North Shore. Overlooking Lake Superior’s Agate Bay, the Light Station is located ...