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.
Iron Range Brewing Assoc. brew-house.
A view of the Iron Range Brewing Association brew-house taken from the vantage point of the north side of the East Two River. The brew-house has long been demolished and… [Read More]
Black Bear Cafe
This undated photograph depicts the Black Bear Cafe In Vermilion Lake Township at the Junction of State Hwy. 169 and Wahlsteen Rd. (St. Louis County 26), 10 minutes drive west… [Read More]
The “Y” Store
The “Y” Store has long been a landmark for visitors traveling to Lake Vermilion. This 1940s photograph tells us that you could purchase Fitger’s beer, Coca Cola and Quaker State… [Read More]
Indian couple canoeing on Pike Bay
This 1930s linen photograph postcard depicts a Bois Forte Band of Chippewa (Ojibwe) couple canoeing on Pike Bay, Lake Vermilion. The hand-crafted birch bark canoe, or wiigwaasi•jiiman in the Ojibwe… [Read More]
Cook Mercantile Company
The Cook Mercantile Company, depicted in this 1913 photograph, was a general store providing all the necessary supplies to make life a little easier for people living in town or… [Read More]
Lake Vermilion’s First American Tourist
An Interesting Trip. Where No White Man Had Ever Gone Before. by Thomas M. Newson Originally published in Thrilling Scenes Among the Indians, 1884 In the year 1865, when… [Read More]
Tower Lumber Company
Located on Pike Bay, at Mill Point Plat in Tower, the Tower Lumber Company saw mill is depicted in this circa. 1910-1912 photograph. The peak of logging in the Lake… [Read More]
Muskrat Channel
Another beautiful scene from the Muskrat Channel on Lake Vermilion, dating between 1930 and 1945.
Grand View Resort
Grand View Resort, circa. 1935—1945
Mecca Hotel
A 1950s view of the Mecca Hotel in Cook. The Lake Vermilion Archives would appreciate any additional information people might want to share as our files are incomplete.