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| Points of Interest Along
the Trails |
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| This small community sprang up in the
1890's as a stopover spot for miners traveling on
the Vermilion River to the golf fields located north
of Crane Lake at Mine Centre. Mr. Buyck, for whom
the town is named, owned and operated a hotel by the
river's edge. |
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| A popular stopping point where the
Vermilion River plunges through a narrow rock chasm
in a spectacular cataract. |
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| Impressive sheer granite cliffs which
rise over 125 feet above the surface of Sand Point
Lake and are one of the highest points within
Voyageurs National Park. |
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| Moose
River Railroad Grade |
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| In 1913, the Virginia and Rainy Lake
Lumber company constructed a main spur line to
transport timber from the rail camp on Namakan Lake
to the sawmill in Virginia. "The railroad
right-a-way was cut through nearly solid stands of
tall white and Norway pines which made it an avenue
of stately beauty," according to forest ranger
Leslie Beatty. Once the logging was completed, the
company removed the rails. |
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| This colorful community was
established around the turn of the century to
provide support for the logging operation at Hoist
Bay. |
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| Kabetogama
Lake Community |
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| One of the four resort communities on
the border of Voyageurs National Park. Begin your
snowmobile trip on the scenic Chain of Lakes Trail.
Stop by and see the giant walleye statue at the
junction of Highway 53 and County Road 123. |
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| As you travel on this land portage
keep your eyes open for stately stands of white and
red pine trees. Numerous pockets of virgin pine
stands still exist throughout Voyageurs National
Park. |
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| Constructed by timber cruiser Ed Rose
and reputedly financed by Madame Nellie Bly, the
Kettle Falls Hotel has accommodated and entertained
travelers since 1913. Robert Williams acquired the
hotel in 1918 for $1,000 and four barrels of
whiskey. Today, the historic hotel is operated by a
National Park Service concessioner. |
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| These exposed white granite cliffs
rise dramatically above the surface of Rainy Lake.
The spectacular rock outcrops lie between the Rainy
Lake and the Swine River Fault lines and the
Vermilion granitic complex. No Riding on cliffs. |
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| The name "Kempton" comes
from a word meaning "friendly passage" and
is certainly appropriate for this scenic and
protected narrow channel on Rainy Lake. |
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| Harry Oveson along with his two
brothers LaVerne and Clarence commercially fished
the area's lakes for many years. Harry's ice house,
tool shed, fish house and camp home are located at
the water's edge near Lost Bay on Rainy Lake where
he fished commercially from 1958 to 1985. |
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| Cranberry
Bay Glacial Boulder |
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| One of many glacial erratics found
within the park. This granite boulder, which sits
upon a layer of schist, is estimated to weigh over
150 tons and was deposited here 12,000 years ago
during the last glacier age. |
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| This golf mine was begun in 1894 and
was one of the few mines still being worked at the
end of the 1894 season. The mine superintendent was
Charles "Bushy Head" Johnson, who acquired
his nickname from the island (although the reverse
may also be true.) The island rises more than 100
feet from the surface of Rainy Lake and is crowned
with a "luxuriant growth of pine timer, giving
it a 'bushy ' appearance, an emerald set in a sea of
glass." |
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| Known throughout the country as the
"Icebox of the Nation" for notoriously
cold and snowy winters. See the statue of Smokey
Bear and the giant thermometer. Home of football
great Bronko Nagurski and cartoon characters
Bullwinkle Moose and Rocket J. Squirrel. |
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| Expansive swamp and muskeg area
beginning near the community of Ericsburg traversing
westward to the Voyageurs Trail West Snowmobile
Route. A large and scenic winter vista viewing area
with stunted black spruce trees scattered throughout
the white snow landscape. |
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| Littlefork
Railroad Bridge |
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| Part of the Northern Pacific Railway
line between International Falls and Big Falls. In
1907 this railroad bridge was brought over from the
third district on the Northern Pacific Railroad
between Duluth and St. Paul and installed over the
Littlefork River just one mile from town. Both train
passenger and freight service ran on this section
starting about 1909. |
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| The southern entrance to Voyageurs
National Park an the only entry point into the
Boundary Waters Canoe Area where snowmobiling is
allowed. This resort village offers a direct route
to the Canadian trail system with snowmobile access
to U.S. Customs on your return to the Untied States. |
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| Located on the shores of Pelican
Lake, Orr connects you to hundreds of miles of
forested and open lake trails. Be sure to visit the
Voyageurs National Park and Orr area information
center and take a stroll on the Wetlands Boardwalk.
Cusson, just north of Orr, was once home to the
Virginia & Rainy Lake Lumber Company employing
over 3,000 people. |
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