An Environmental History of Two Harbors, Minnesota, by Maren Anderson
This paper was written for an American Environmental History course at Gustavus Adolphus College, taught by Prof. Jean Lavigne, during spring semester 2005.
I have submitted this paper in support of the Save the Lighthouse Point campaign. I hope to aid in providing background knowledge concerning Two Harbors' environmental history, and to promote sound decision-making today, in order to protect the "Gem of the Shore," Lighthouse Point, for the community good, now and in the future.
--- Maren Anderson
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While driving up Highway 61, on the north shores of Lake Superior, everyone drives through a small town called Two Harbors. This quaint town is known for its appeal to visitors from just about everywhere. Two Harbors has not always been the Two Harbors of today. It has developed and undergone many changes over the years in order to survive. Two Harbors was established and developed as a town because of the natural resources available in the area. The town continues to rely on these resources in different ways for the livelihood of its residents. Two Harbors will continue to be dependant on these natural resources into the future.
The North Shore region of Minnesota has undergone many significant geologic events which have shaped the landscape into what it is today. During the early Proterozoic, the North Shore was located under the Animikie Sea, which left layers of sedimentary rock behind when it retreated (Flander 14). Roughly one billion years ago, many volcanic eruptions were occurring in this region, which is why today "Two Harbors' shoreline is composed primarily of basaltic lava flows" (City of Two Harbors 9). During the most recent glaciations, during the Pleistocene Epoch, the land underwent many important changes (Flander 20). The glaciers going through the area carved out certain areas and deposited materials in others. Most of the lakes found in Northern Minnesota "are the result of glacial scouring of older river valleys in Precambrian rock" (Flander 24). A glacial drift was also deposited, varying in depth from 30 to 120 feet (City of Two Harbors 9). Image 1:
It was during this time period that "Lake Duluth" was formed, which is now called Lake Superior (City of Two Harbors 9). Lake Duluth was 600' higher than the current elevation of Lake Superior, so for quite some time the future location of Two Harbors was located under water. The glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago and Lake Duluth eventually began to empty, which left Lake Superior behind in its place, at its current elevation of 602 feet above sea level (City of Two Harbors 9). Today Lake Superior has an area of 31,500 square miles, a volume of 2,860 cubic miles and holds ten percent of the world's fluid fresh water (Flander 8, 9). "Lake Superior is the cleanest, clearest, and coldest of the Great Lakes" (Bell 2). The Lake has very low concentrations of nutrients, suspended sediments, and organic material which allow underwater visibility to be between 50 to 75 feet (Bell 2). Even though the cleanest of the Great Lakes, there are still pollution issues with substances like PCBs, dieldrin, toxaphene, and DDT, which stay in the Lake, and its in its organic material and fish, for extended periods of time (Bell 3). Two Harbors' location on the shores of Lake Superior is no coincidence; Two Harbors' has and continues to depend on Lake Superior and the surrounding land for its livelihood. Image 2:
Today the lake has an average temperature of 43 degrees F, which keeps the North Shore cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter (Flander 9). Precipitation is also affected by the lake. Lake effect snow is a common occurrence in the region. Snow falls for a majority of the year as it begins to fall late in October and typically ends in April, accumulating from seven to ten feet on an average year (Simonowicz 15). Minnesota is known for having four very distinct seasons, unlike many areas of the United States.
The soils of the region greatly affect the types of vegetation and wildlife which are found. Soil in the region, which is fairly fertile, is "a thin layer of coarse textured forest soil," which is "composed of light colored calcareous red clays deposited by Glacial Lake Duluth" (City of Two Harbors 10). The last glacial retreat not only affected landforms, it also greatly reduced nutrient levels in the soil and water (Bishop 1). Forests in this area do not have a large diversity of tree species as they support under forty species (Flander 7). Unlike much of Minnesota, very little farming occurs in this region. Lake County has a good percentage protected land (as State Parks, State Forests and National Forests), which allows wildlife the space they need. Most well-known species are the black bear, the wolf, the moose, our varieties of fresh water fish, and deer. Many bird species are also found and travel through the area during migration.
The topography of Two Harbors has played a key role in its development. It is located on the north shore of Lake Superior with elevations of 602 feet above sea level to 1000 feet, with the majority of the residents living below 750 feet above sea level (City of Two Harbors 9). One stream, Skunk Creek, runs southeast through the town (City of Two Harbors 9). Two Harbors' location between Lake Superior, the Iron Range, and the North woods has created and has sustained its economy throughout the years. Without these natural resources, Two Harbors would not be the town it is today.
Long before McDonald's and Highway 61, the North Shore was inhabited by Native Americans. Between 10,000 and 9,000 years ago, the Plano culture arrived and became the first habitants on the North Shore (Waters 30, 31). "Paleo-Indian artifacts of taconite - scrapers, blades, hammers - attest to occupation in the Lakehead area between 9,000 and 8,000 years ago" (Waters 31). These early peoples depended on hunting animals, such as "moose, caribou and bison," but also had seasonal locations (Bishop 1). "The Paleo-Indian period continued for about 4,000 years, and during this time, cultural changes took place in accordance with the succession of tundra and boreal forests north of Lake Superior" (Waters 32). Surprisingly, fishing was likely to not have been part of their daily survival due to "cold and nutrient-poor waters, turbid conditions of glacial meltwaters, and unstable conditions [that] would have militated against high fish productivity, which was to come later" (Waters 32).
Between 7,000 and 3,000 years ago, is the Archaic period (Waters 32). Some of the Indians sites dated from this period "show the development of a new groundstone technology which featured woodworking tools such as axes, adzes, and gouges, as well as grinding implements for processing nuts and seeds." (Flander 84). These people likely traveled by birch bark canoe in the summer, and snowshoe in the winter (Waters 32). They mostly depended upon caribou, but also depended on other game, gathering, and fishing (Waters 32). These peoples were also the first in the Great Lakes region to have domesticated animals - dogs (Waters 32). "There is abundant evidence of widespread trade with cultures elsewhere on the continent" (Waters 32). Another important innovation - the bow and arrow - appeared about 3,600 years ago (Waters 33).
The final prehistoric period is the Woodland period (Flander 85). "The Initial Woodland extended from 3,000 to 1,000 years ago, the Terminal Woodland from 1,000 years ago to the arrival of white Europeans, who drastically changed the early Americans' life" (Waters 33). Several things distinguish this culture: "burial mound building, pottery and the use of wild rice for food" (Anderson 6). The Laurel culture, one of the two Woodland cultures, was made up of "hunters and fishermen who established small summer villages on the shores of the upper Great Lakes." (Flander 85). "Although the Woodland Culture lasted until the time of the arrival of white men, several different tribal groups were also present": the Dakota (Sioux), Cree and later the Chippewa (Ojibway) (Anderson 6). Hostilities were present between tribes, especially between the Sioux and Ojibway; the Ojibway drove the Sioux off their land so "the Sioux occupied the southern half and the Ojibway the northern half of the state" (Anderson 6, 7). About 1550, the Ojibway took the land, where Two Harbors would later be, away from the Sioux (City of Two Harbors 3). The Ojibway had many locations along Lake Superior which they utilized, including "Wasswawinig - 'the place to spear fish by moonlight' or 'to fish with torches,' which would later be named Two Harbors" (Bishop 2).
In the 1660s, when "French Traders and missionaries arrived at western Lake Superior" the Sioux and Ojibway people were having "bloody territorial skirmishes," but as the traders benefited from peace, they encouraged the tribes to stay focused on trapping and less on fighting (Bishop 2). The Ojibway people, the "people whose moccasin seams are puckered," relied on "hunting, fishing, and harvesting wild fruits and seeds" and maple sugaring and wild rice in some areas, to live their "seasonal, nomadic lifestyle" (Waters 34, Bishop 2). "In modern terms, population density was sparse north of Lake Superior, with humans living in balance with their harsh environment and infertile resources, in essentially a predator-prey relationship" (Waters 34).
In the fall of 1854, the Treaty of LaPointe was signed and was ratified in 1855 by Congress (Bishop 5). This treaty gave the white men the right to the lands on the north shore, displacing any native peoples in their way (Anderson 8). The treaty gave the natives the Grand Portage Reservation, near the international boundary (Waters 40). "A clause in the treaty permitted white people residing in the territory to buy the land they occupied at the minimum price and such a 'preemptive claim' - the occupation of a site to establish prior rights to the land - could be established by simply building a 'house…14 by 16, with a good roof'" (Bishop 23, 24). Lake County was named on March 1, 1856, although Cook County was part of the county at this time and would be until 1874 (Bishop 5, 6).
The first European-constructed dwelling in Two Harbors was erected by Thomas Sexton in 1855 (Bishop 20). He built a fourteen by sixteen foot cabin on Agate Bay, near the present day site of the Edna G. (Bishop 20, Anderson 16). This hunter, fisherman, and explorer came to the area in search of copper, but did not find enough for mining to be profitable (Bishop 23). Sexton did not settle permanently and sold the bulk of his property in 1882 (Bishop 22). Yet, this man will forever be known as the first true resident of Two Harbors.
On his remaining four acres of land was built Whiskey Row, which many said would prevent Two Harbors from becoming "a quiet, family-oriented town" (Bishop 28, Anderson 17). In 1883 Whiskey Row "was reported to have 22 saloons, several hotels," dance halls, gambling dens, and "all that went with it" (Bishop 28, Anderson 17). Main Street of Whiskey Row was nothing more than "hastily built shanties" and tents that housed these businesses (Anderson 17). This was where all the workers congregated, since at this time the town was composed mainly of single men and men working away from their families. These lonely men found entertainment and comfort in this area of town. "Noise, laughter, music and brawls were common sights" (Two Harbors Area). Whiskey Row, also called "Hell's Four Acres" due to the nature of its activities, was very prosperous for three years "as [a] site of wide open, continuous activity, unchecked by any moral or legal authority" until it burned down in 1885 (Bishop 30). Many of the city's more upstanding members celebrated the fall of this location of promiscuity, gambling, and drinking: essentially the breeding ground for immoral behavior in the town. "As families began to follow their men to the area, businesses, churches, civic organizations, banks and schools replaced the more rowdy life of the dock area" (Two Harbors Area).
In 1885 Two Harbors was formally plotted on Agate Bay, with its growing population of 550 inhabitants and took on the name Two Harbors, due to its location between Agate Bay and Burlington Bay (Bishop 47). Later on other additions were added in 1889, 1895, and 1900 (Anderson 18). The year of 1886 brought the D&IR Lake Line, a railroad line connecting Two Harbors to Duluth (Bishop 47). The railroad was depended upon for shipping in needed goods and shipping out the products of the area, such as lumber, fish, and especially iron ore. Not only did the railroad bring goods, it also brought people. Many different nationalities came and settled the area after the railroad came (Two Harbors 5). By 1887, "Two Harbors was a thriving city" and was incorporated as a village on March 9, 1888, with village officers elected one month later (Bishop 31, 47). During this time, the town was very concerned about its water supply, as Lake Superior was their only pure source of water (Anderson 19). In 1889, regulations concerning outhouses were enforced in the community and in the 1890s, sewer lines were started (Anderson 20). By this time, Two Harbors' population had reached 1,224 (Anderson 20). Image 3:
One of the most important developments to growth of Two Harbors was the building of the ore docks. Charlemagne Tower Sr. "dreamed of and built" the railroad and dock facilities, which provided jobs for many and ensured the success of Two Harbors by accommodating the growing industry of iron ore (Bishop 45). 1883 brought the start of the construction of Dock No. 1, but "work stopped when clay footings shifted and part of the structure gave way" (Bishop 46). "Dock No. 1 would be completed in 1885, while Dock No. 2 was hastily completed in time to load the first iron ore to leave Agate bay…in early 1884" (Bishop 46). Dock No. 2 was roughly 550 feet long, forty-four feet tall, and could store about three thousand tons of ore (Anderson 42). An additional four wooden docks were built, "until 1907-08 when Dock No. 6 was built of steel and concrete" (Anderson 47). The wooden docks required a great deal of lumber to build and wore out quickly (Bishop 46). The dock built in 1907 was the first of its kind in the United States and proved to endure the wear better than the wooden docks (Bishop 46). These docks were needed to meet the growing outputs of the Vermillion Iron Range ore which needed to be shipped off to be processed. Image 4:
"It was fate and geography together that made Two Harbors a shipping port in 1884" (Anderson 83). The increased outputs of ore caused more shipping to occur, which was accommodated by the new ore docks. Due to these increases in boat traffic, a lighthouse was constructed on Agate Bay in 1891 and commissioned in 1892 (Bishop 48, Anderson 83). The Two Harbors lighthouse is not large, standing at 49 feet 6 inches, but its position on the land allows it to be seen "for a considerable distance to welcome ships" and points the ships in the right direction, away from harm (Bishop 48). The breakwater had also been built by this time to create a safe harbor for boats and ships, but was reconstructed in 1949 (Anderson 83). These developments reflect the importance of the iron ore mining that was occurring on the Iron Range, which not only had impacts on the local economy but also on the land. Strip mining is and was the common practice for extraction, which negatively affects wildlife, pollutes water sources, and basically destroys what was previously. Image 5:
The railroad, and the shipping industry that required it, has been vital to the local economy to this day. Early on, it provided a large number of jobs with decent wages, which "led to homes being built, an expanding population, a bit extra to establish savings accounts and a relatively stable economy" (Bishop 47). Production rates of iron ore continually rose, especially during the world wars, with the record year being 1953 when 21.33 million tons of ore went through Two Harbors (Bishop 46). "Hundreds of workers worked on the tracks, ore docks, shops and other facilities needed to keep the iron ore railroad and shipping port running like a clock" (Bishop 49). Most of these jobs were seasonal, but if extra income was needed, men could work in the logging camps during the winter months when shipping was closed and logging was up (Bishop 49). Iron ore production rates generally rose until a day in January 1963, which is now referred to as Black Friday (Bishop 162). The Two Harbors docks were closed until the 1966 shipping season, "but the tonnage shipped from Two Harbors has never returned to that of previous record years" (Anderson 58). Black Friday also caused the community to realize that their livelihood was dependant upon a limited resource. Some decided that tourism could be the next big industry and "encouraged businesses and governmental units to explore a wide variety of possibilities that would open the way for new business that were soon to locate and blossom there" (Bishop 162). Not only did the mining of iron ore have drastic effects on the land, logging greatly transformed the area's landscape as well.
Although timber and lumber were being commercially produced in Lake County from the early 1860s onward, the great logging era in Lake County did not get seriously under way until the 1890s" (Bishop 79). ). In 1857, Captain John J. Hibbard and his brother Ashley and their families arrived at Burlington bay, where they built a steam powered sawmill in 1858, yet that was the only year that it produced a significant amount of lumber (Bishop 25). Logging operations were extensive, with winter camps on the North Shore employing at least 800 men by 1901 (Anderson 87). "In the early days of logging, no effort was made at conservation, and early settlers tell of driving through miles of land barren of everything but huge pine stumps" (Anderson 93). This caused drastic changes in the ecosystems which could negatively affect wildlife and cause run-off that would erode certain areas. By the 1880s, some Minnesotans started to become concerned about preservation of timber (Anderson 93). Careless logging practices caused a great deal of damage, especially from the thousands of acres that burned including around Two Harbors (Anderson 93). In February 1909, President Roosevelt created Superior National Forest, which includes two-thirds of Lake County (Anderson 93). Image 6:
Logging still holds its place in the local economy now that loggers use skidders and other modern equipment rather than saws and horses. During the mid-1960s a large sawmill was built in Waldo, which obtained most of its logs from Superior National Forest (Bishop 162). The sawmill passed through several hands over the years but still employed a number of employees until a few years ago when it closed for good (Bishop 163). Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, located in Two Harbors, has provided "loggers with an entirely new market for large amounts of timber" as well as employing a "good-sized workforce" (Bishop 176).
Another former major industry of the area was fishing, which like any other industry based on natural resources, has had its' ups and downs. At one time, commercial fishing was a major source of jobs and income for the community. As early as 1835, commercial fishing was occurring on the North Shore, by the American Fur Company (Bishop 4). The Scandinavians were the first settle in the area to fish during the 1870s and by the 1880s, one company had over 150 fishermen on Lake Superior (Bishop 69). The Scandinavian fishermen established "homesteads that made up a string of fishing families every half mile or so along the North Shore during the heyday of the fishing industry" (Bishop 69). "Commercial net fishing for herring was well established by the 1880s" but peaked in the early 1900s (Anderson 96). 1905 was the "peak year" of the fishing of herring with "a catch of 146 million pounds was registered by US and Canadian fishermen" (Bishop 69). Ice, for shipping, was also an important resource in order for commercial fishing to be beneficial (74). Ice was harvested in the winter and kept in insolated buildings until it was needed. Fishing was never an extremely profitable industry. Over-fishing and the introductions of exotic species like the sea lamprey, left commercial fishing no longer profitable in any form (Bishop 75). Sport fishing has continued on Lake Superior, which pushed the stocking of certain non-native species (Bishop 75). "Despite the hardships, low pay, hazards and sudden decline, commercial fishing was a vital industry for nearly a century of this area's history - not only to the hundreds of fishing families along the North Shore, but to dozens of area merchants, fish dealers, the customers who ate the fish and dozens of affiliated businesses…" (Bishop 76).
A variety of businesses and industries have come and gone through the years in Two Harbors. Everything, from the Sorenson Cigar Factory in the early 1900s to the New Life Café, has played integral roles in the development and maintenance of the Two Harbors economy (Anderson 116, 131). In 1968 the Walter Norlen Industrial Park was build, which is now home to businesses like Hawn Machinery and Granite Gear (Bishop 163). Two of the important companies that now employ a number of Two Harbors residents are LaBounty manufacturing and Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (Bishop 169, 176). In 1992 LaBounty employed 280 workers and had sales of over $27 million/year (Bishop 169). Today, numerous hotels and restaurants are found both in town and along the shore to meet the demand of the tourist industry. The early 1990s brought a wide variety of development in the South end of town. Today Super One, Pamida, Pizza Hut, Country Inn, McDonalds, the Milk House, Subway, AmericInn and Super America are found along Highway 61 in this end of town. Due to the increased congestion caused by more businesses, more stop lights had to be installed (Bishop 177). Today Two Harbors, unlike many small towns, has 5 sets of stop lights within the city limits. These measures have helped control traffic, especially during the busy summer months when traffic jams occur now and again. The tourist-filled summer months occasionally cause traffic to back up several miles up the shore. Tourism brought large changes to Two Harbors, both on an economic level and on a visible level. Two Harbors became much less isolated from the world.
Today Two Harbors' economy relies on the tourism industry. As early as 1924 tourism was important to the area economy, as it was Two Harbors' fourth largest resource (Two Harbors Area). As Two Harbors has developed, so have its needs. Specific developments have occurred to meet the needs and wants of the tourists who vacation in the area as well as the residents. During the mid-1980's Agate Bay underwent a transformation which included a boat launching ramp, parking, and landscaping to meet the growing demands of tourism (Bishop 173). State Parks are found all the way up the shore, which attract many tourists for a quick stop to see the area's natural beauty, a restroom break, or even to stay in the modern campgrounds. Tourism also brings demand for lodging and dining, which has created new businesses and jobs in the area. Unfortunately, hospitality jobs are usually low-paying and low on benefits. The development of the tourism industry has had its positives and negatives.
As tourism has become a more important part of the area economy, Two Harbors has developed to accommodate the needs of visitors. The Municipal Campgrounds, located next to Burlington Bay, has continued to grow to meet the high demand of tourists, which typically leaves the campground full all summer. Lakeview Memorial Golf Course and the Two Harbors Curling Club are located just across the highway from the campgrounds, providing year-round entertainment between the two. The state parks up the shore, including Gooseberry Fall, Split Rock, and Tettegouche, offer visitors a unique view of the nature of the north shore. Lake Superior, of course, is a huge draw for many. Inland lakes are also plentiful, offering many water-based recreational activities. Some of the other industries in Two Harbors have also become of interest to visitors. Many go to Agate Bay to see the ore docks and the ships coming and going during the shipping season.
Tourism on the North Shore is very motor vehicle dependent. An adequate public transportation does not exist. The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency does run a "mini-bus" that transports residents to shopping and doctors appointments and young children to preschool. Unfortunately, this service has limited hours and availability. The only other mass transit is a tourist train that runs between Duluth and Two Harbors on certain afternoons. This dependence on cars has caused the tourism industry to develop to meet the needs of these drivers. Highways, wayside rest stops, and gas stations are seen across the nation, and the North Shore is no exception. Today there are at least six gas stations in the city of Two Harbors. As gas prices have risen, more and more Minnesotans have searched for places to vacation nearby. Many people have chosen the North Shore as a perfect destination spot, both for its unique beauty and its economic feasibility.
Recently there has been a great deal of controversy about the future direction of Two Harbors' land use. Due to the popularity of the area to tourists, development has been continual. Most recently a developer named Sam Cave purchased from the railroad a great deal of Lighthouse Point, on which he plans to build motels, shops and condos. This tract of land has been used for many years as a public nature area and is unique as it is the only area in town that is not a park or developed. In the city's comprehensive plan, it is defined as a park, so he must obtain the required permits before any building occurs which has been delayed at the moment (Hemphill). The city has attempted to work with the developer with little success. From an economic standpoint, this development would likely create jobs and lure more people to Two Harbors. According to Sam Cave: "his plan to develop the point would be a good fit for Two Harbors" (Hemphill). Mary Rosati, Two Harbors City Council member, is very happy about Cave's proposal and believes that the town will benefit from the development (Hemphill). Two Harbors is in need of funding for many things, including a new sewer system and this project will benefit the town (Hemphill). These developments also have a significant environmental impact, due to their close proximity to the lake. If Two Harbors exploits all of its natural beauty until none remains, who will want to visit the area? In order for Two Harbors to continue have a successful tourism industry, careful planning must be utilized.
The City of Two Harbors published a document entitled City of Two Harbors, Minnesota: Comprehensive Plan in 1999. This document, compiled by the City of Two Harbors Planning Commission and the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, includes present land use and management, information about the city, and future plans. There have been criticisms of this document and of the city for not following their own plan. In 1998, Two Harbors land use was: 42% vacant, 27% Parks and Recreation, 23% single family residential, 3% Public/quasi-public, 3% Commercial/retail, 1% multiple family residential, 1% Industrial (City of Two Harbors 10). Population has dropped in recent history. In 1910, Two Harbors has 4,990 residents (Anderson 22). The last census reported Two Harbors' population as 3,613 residents, with nearly a 1% decrease each year (I-Profile). This decrease has been thought to be caused by the decline in available jobs in iron ore shipping and processing in the region (City of Two Harbors 5). These declines had significant impacts on two of Two Harbors industries: railroad and shipping (City of Two Harbors 5). Many efforts have been undertaken to not only increase tourism in the area, but also growth of residents. 2005 will bring the opening of the new Two Harbors High School, replacing the school built in 1935 (Anderson 104). Many hope that this will bring new families and a new vitality to the town, which will likely promote wiser development and a healthier community.
As Two Harbors has grown, more and more of the city has been developed. This development for housing and businesses has turned natural lands into impermeable surfaces, including sidewalks, parking lots, and roofs. Reducing the permeable surface area causes more runoff, which ends up in Lake Superior. This runoff carries any sediments, pollutants, or debris that it may pick up along the way and deposits it into the lake. Many areas of the world suffer from water issues concerning quantity. Along the North Shore quantity is not an issue, with 3,000,000,000,000,000 gallons of fresh water in Lake Superior available for use (Lake Superior). Lake Superior's cold temperatures and low nutrient content naturally keep the lake low in bacteria, but humans have disrupted that balance.
Water quality is becoming greater of an issue for this Great Lake, even though it is still the cleanest of the Great Lakes (Lake Superior). The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency now administers a program called the Minnesota Lake Superior Beaches Program, which monitors the Fecal Coliform and E. coli bacteria levels at beaches in St. Louis County, Lake County, and Cook County on Lake Superior. When levels are too high, which at certain beaches does occur, the beach is closed and water contact is not advised. These precautions are taken for the safety of the public, to prevent illness from disease causing bacteria. The closing of beaches has brought water quality issues to the attention of the local residents as well as tourists visiting the area.
Several years ago, another water quality issue was brought to the attention of the city council. Two Harbors' waste water treatment plant was unable to handle the influx of inflow during storms, which caused overflow of untreated sewage to enter Lake Superior (Louise Anderson). This not only caused problems for its effects on the marine ecosystems, but it also caused public health issues. To remedy this problem, a larger holding tank was constructed for the treatment plant and a law was passed that required old homes to install a sump pump (Louise Anderson). These old homes had systems which directed rainwater running off their roofs to enter the waste water treatment system which would cause the overflow. Sump pumps pump out this water and redirect it to the city's storm water system, therefore, decreasing the amount of water needed to be treated during storms. This, unfortunately, was not the end of Two Harbors' problems. The city is currently constructing a new waste water treatment plant to meet the high inputs and has reconstructed their storm water treatment, so storm water is more thoroughly filtered before entering Lake Superior, which complies with the new, stricter regulations. Maintaining a high quality effluent is very important to improving water quality.
Waste disposal is another issue of concern. Lake County does not have a municipal solid waste landfill, so the majority of Two Harbors' solid waste is sent to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) transfer station in Duluth, MN (Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance). Lake County does operate a landfill, the Lake County Landfill, which is not for municipal solid waste, as well as operating a Hazardous Household Waste and Recycling Facilities (Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance). In 2003, Lake County sent out 5,282 tons of municipal solid waste to facilities in Minnesota and in surrounding states (Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance). This number will continue to grow as our society continues to grow in its consumer ways.
Through the years Two Harbors' image has transformed from a small shipping town into a town known by many as a quaint town on the shores of Lake Superior. Two Harbors' location on the North Shore is vital to its' economic survival. The natural beauty of the area is available to enjoy by any tourist passing through the area. Two Harbors utilizes the popularity of area's natural beauty and promotes it to bring tourists to the area.
Two Harbors represents itself in a certain way in its promotional materials. The Chamber of Commerce states: "This is truly a great place to live, work and visit!" (Two Harbors Area Chamber of Commerce 1). They highlight the small town atmosphere of a "communit[y] of smiles, waves and neighbors that help neighbors"; Two Harbors is a place where everyone knows each other (Two Harbors Area Chamber of Commerce 1). They attempt to appeal to both those that may want to live in the area as well as those that would just like to visit. Emphasizing the area's richness in history, Lake Superior, nature, annual events, and the tourist accommodations allows them to lure in tourists from near and far. Presenting Two Harbors as a unique place is vital to their promotion. No place else can you attend a kayak festival, see an ore boat load, and take your picture by a giant chicken or voyageur, all in one town on Lake Superior. Image 7:
Although Two Harbors offers a wealth of unique sites and opportunities, it is most known for its natural beauty, especially Lake Superior. One of the popular summer vacations today and in the past, is the Lake Superior Circle Tour. Louise Anderson, a Minnesota native, remembers spending many family vacations as a child circling the lake, seeing all the quirky small towns and the random sites along the way (Louise Anderson). This was a very common vacation during the 1960s-1970s and still is one that many families partake upon each summer. The trip is not short, as the length of the shoreline of Lake Superior is comparable to the distance from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Orlando, Florida (Lake Superior). Today there are signs that show the way around the big lake. Image 8:
"If you love nature, you are in the right spot" boasts the Two Harbors Area Chamber of Commerce (1). There is an abundance of natural areas open to the public on the North Shore. "We have State Parks, National and State Forests, many community parks, wayside rests and four-season trails galore" (1). Their brochure lists popular trails in the area, city parks, and State Parks, like Goosebery Falls, Split Rock, Tettegouche and George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park (8, 9). They highlight the many outdoor activities available throughout the year. Outdoor photography, rockhounding, berry picking, fishing, golfing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing all make their list of things to do in the area (6, 7). Although Northern Minnesota does have certain other unique features, its natural beauty is the biggest draw for tourists, especially during the summer when it is cooler by the lake, during fall colors, and when there is adequate snow for snowmobiling. Image 9:
Both brochures for Two Harbors and the area have one thing consistent throughout: they include beautiful pictures of the natural beauty of the region. Not only do they include beautiful photography, the pictures they include are very diverse. They emphasize the diversity of beauty in the area, from the rock formations of Lake Superior's shores to the wildlife. By showing the variety found in the area, prospective visitors may see that there is plenty to see and do in the area. Without this sort of advertising highlighting many aspects of Two Harbors, it appears to be just another small town. Separating itself from the rest is vital to successful tourism.
Not only does Two Harbors offer a wealth of nature, they also offer many festivals and events throughout the year. Every February the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon goes through Two Harbors, which is attended by locals and tourists alike. In June Grandma's Marathon between Duluth and Two Harbors brings runners, volunteers, and people just wanting to watch the race. Two Harbors' largest event of the year is Heritage Days, an event that offers an ethnic festival, a craft show, a parade, fireworks, music, food, and an art show (Two Harbors Area Chamber of Commerce 3). Another festival that has been growing in recent years is the Kayak Festival, which brings in kayakers from around the nation and world. All of these events are promoted for visitors as well as locals. Some tourists would rather attend an event than go hiking in the woods and Two Harbors tries to meet this preference.
Two Harbors is not only recognized around Minnesota, it has also been recognized on a national level. This past summer the Today Show did a spot on the North Shore which highlighted certain must-sees in the area. From Two Harbors there was a short clip about Betty's Pies, a pie restaurant that was became "World Famous." This television special focused on what the area offered to tourists that visit the area. They did not mention anything about the history of the area, the industries, or the people. When National Geographic's ADVENTURE magazine mentioned Two Harbors, they included information about Tettegouche State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park and the Lake Superior Water Trail Association, which maintains a water trail along Lake Superior's shoreline (Sherman). Most national level information concerning Two Harbors and the area are focused on informing tourists about the area, especially about the natural areas. There is little outside interest about the history of Two Harbors.
As Two Harbors has grown and developed, it has been obvious that it relies on the natural resources of the area. The geologic formations of the area determined how the Two Harbors developed and how it functions today. Many of the natural resources which the town depends upon are finite. Without careful planning and management, Two Harbors will not be able to continue to grow and prosper. Certain industries, like tourism, will continue to be of importance as long as the city, residents, and developers think about the long-term effects of growth. Working towards a healthy community that supports its residents and welcomes visitors will be key to a better Two Harbors today and in the future. Remembering that Two Harbors is what it is today because of the natural resources of the area is very important to continuing in the right direction.
Photos (larger images and Web links)
Bibliography
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