History
The Lake Vermilion area has been active since the 1860s, between the Gold Rush, homesteading, lumber harvest and mining and Industrial Revolution development, and the tourism industry. We’re constantly researching different aspects of local area history and adding the information here. Keep checking back here, as each article is a living document and information is added as we find more. The pursuit of history is a never-ending endeavor!
If you have any further information about any of the articles here, or any new information that we could write articles about, please let us know at info*AT*lakevermilion.net and we’ll work to add the information.
Jasper Peak Fire Lookout Tower
History Jasper Peak, also known as Chester Peak, has long been a focal point of Lake Vermilion life. From the fire watch tower built on the top, to the park… [Read More]
North American Hotel
History A corporation composed of Duluth and Minneapolis people, and known as the North American Hotel company, was organized to build and own the hotel. It was to be a… [Read More]
North American Mine
History The North American Mine was one of four of Thomas J. Walsh‘s mining projects, started in the early 1900s and progressing until the mid 1920s. Walsh had many big… [Read More]
Town of Walsh
History The Town of Walsh was a project Thomas J. Walsh was working on in the early years of the 20th century: a town for the workers of the North… [Read More]
Tower Old Settlers’ Cemetery
History Before the Tower Cemetery Association was created and the Lakeview Cemetery was cleared and built, Tower had a cemetery on the south side of the East Two River, in… [Read More]
Tower Junction
History The Tower Junction was a busy place servicing daily freight and passenger train service coming to the Soudan Mine and the City of Tower, and also heading to Ely…. [Read More]
Artifacts of the Vermilion Iron Range Industrial Boom
The Industrial Boom Between the exploration and gold rush of 1865 and the closing of the Soudan Mine in 1962, the Vermilion Iron Range and the Tower area was host… [Read More]
1939 Lake Vermilion postcard
Three people enjoy a moonlit paddle on Lake Vermilion in this 1939 full-color linen postcard. The card was used to report on a trip to Lake Vermilion and mailed from… [Read More]
Early 20th century Lake Vermilion tour boat
Originally called Hunter’s Lodge in 1907, this became Vermilion Lodge in 1916 and Vermilion Dam Lodge in 1956. We’re looking south east from the top of the hill northwest of… [Read More]
Vermilion Boat and Outing Company
History The tourism business rapidly developed on Lake Vermilion during the last years of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th. The allure of Lake Vermilion and… [Read More]