History Exhibits
The Cross River Heritage Center history exhibits are displayed on a permanent basis and include features on
The North Shore Ojibwe
Schroeder History
Architect Edwin Lundie
Taconite Harbor
Fireside Room
A visit to the Cross River Heritage Center is an opportunity to experience the history of this area of Lake Superior’s North Shore. Some of the historical features of the former Stickney Inn and General Store on U.S. 61 were kept in place when the building was renovated. An example of this can be seen in the “Fireside” room which boasts the original stone fireplace and hardwood flooring of the Inn.
Original Bedroom
Rooms have been renovated in the Cross River Heritage Center to tell the story of the building and the area. One such room was restored to reflect an original room at the Stickney Inn during the early 1930’s. The time-damaged wall paper was removed and replaced with an exact reproduction. You’ll find pictures of the innkeeper, Horace Stickney, and his wife Nell on one wall. On the facing wall a bit of the original wallpaper remains. On it is a faint handprint, rumored to belong to the ghost of Fannie, Nell’s mother.
Lundie Room
The most recently recreated room in the building is the Edwin Lundie Room. This room has been constructed to represent a cabin designed by the renowned Minnesota architect. Lundie designed several structures on the North Shore. With its timber framing, Lundie enthusiasts will easily be able to imagine they are stepping back in time when they enter this room. The outside wall features an authentic window from a Lundie Cabin as well as a carved post replicating the work of Edwin Lundie.
Funds for the Edwin Lundie Room were provided by the North Shore Federal Credit Union.
Photo Credit:
Dale Mulfinger’s book, The Architecture of Edwin Lundie, is available for purchase in the Cross River Heritage Center’s gift shop.
Taconite Harbor
WCCO News created a story on the history of Taconite Harbor and the town with interviews from Skip Lamb and Steve Schug. Check out the interview here.
Taconite Harbor Timeline
1952 Erie Mining breaks ground for Hoyt Lakes, its new company town.*
1953 - Erie Mining begins building the Hoyt Lakes pelletizer.*
1953 - Erie Mining began blasting at the dock site in Taconite Harbor. Erie Mining creates a temporary trailer city of about 500 8-by-20 foot trailers and the two story structure that housed a restaurant and grocery.*
1955 - Town of Hoyt Lakes incorporated.*
First boat arrives with construction materials.1957 - Construction finished and Taconite Harbor came online. Company pulled the trailers away and began building the more permanent community of 24 houses with best view of lake on the North Shore (3-4 bedroom models; foremen's houses had fireplaces).
April 14, 1957 - First taconite loaded at Hoyt Lakes.
June 1957 - First shipment of coal is delivered.
Sept. 26, 1957 - J. A. Campbell received the first cargo of pellets (test run of facility) (10,800 tons).
Sept. 30, 1957 - A. B. Wolvin loaded pellets. See next note.
Oct. 10, 1957 - First taconite pellets from Hoyt Lakes shipped on A.B. Wolvin -could be 10/16 - information came from book at Minnesota Historical Society.
1967 - Erie Mining expands production to 10.6 million tons per year.
1968 - famed Edmund Fitzgerald takes on 29,689 tons of taconite - she didn't sink on return this time, but Daniel J. Morrell, a 603' ore carrier was headed for Erie Mining's new dock on Nov. 29, 1966 when it was snapped in half, taking 28 men down with her.*
1970 - Erie Mining produces 100 million tons.
1981 - Erie Mining produces 200 million tons.
1986 - Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) Steel absorbs Erie Mining.*
1986 - LTV asks residents of TH to move. Population dropped from 74 in May, 1986 to 12 in November, 1987.*
1987 - Erie Mining officially becomes LTV Steel Mining Company.
1990 - Last house is moved.*
July 28, 1993 - Ash Spill.
Jan. 13, 1997 - Four locomotives and 93 cars carrying 7500 tons of taconite pellets derailed at the end of the five mile grade at Schroeder. Loading at the dock was the Paul R. Tregurtha, the largest boat on the Great Lakes. It left with a load of 40,000 tons of pellets. A full load would have been 670,000 tons.
2001 - Dock shuts down.*
June 22, 2001 - Last train load of taconite pellets shipped out of Taconite Harbor.
* Information from Taconite Harbor; a Ghost Town and Dead Dock, The Iron Range, Minnesota With Love.
Click on the button below to learn more about the Taconite Harbor Ghost Town from Exploring the North Shore.