Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program

Building Community: Homesteads, Roads and

Resorts

Barbara J. Livdahl, Project Manager

August 31, 2008

Project No. 306-STAR01-08

Contract No. B 12703

This project was funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act,

by NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in

cooperation with Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program.

and

A gift from the Lamb family in memory of Harry and Doris Lamb

 FINAL REPORT

Introduction:
The exhibit “Building Community: Homesteads, Roads, and Resorts” created by
this project, shows and tells the story of the Schroeder Area from about 1915 to 1950. It
is the second component of the exhibit of Schroeder Area history. Many of the artifacts
on exhibit tell the story of the Stickney/Lamb Store and Post Office, which was the
community center of the period. The Schroeder Area Historical Society operates in the
remodeled Stickney/Lamb/Jordan store* building. The exhibit answers the most asked
question: “What was this building originally?” Visitors see the impact that living on the
coast of Lake Superior, on the banks of the Cross River, and adjacent to the Superior
National Forest had on the lives of early Schroeder Area residents
Work Completed:
The completed exhibit includes 17 exhibit boards that tell the story of the
homesteads, roads, and resorts of the period, as well as, the story of the
Stickney/Lamb/Jordan store. Among the artifacts are Horace Stickney’s roll top desk,
Nell Stickney’s trunk, a pot-bellied stove and barber chair from the early store, a table
and tea cart used in the dining room, an ice box from an early resort, and the safe from
and the Gunderson store. Photos are placed in the windows of the French doors and entry
door of the Stickney Store that are on exhibit.
The process: Volunteers researched photos, oral histories, and other documents. They
wrote the text, gathered the photos for each exhibit board, placed them in digital files and
sent them to the designer. The designer designed the boards and then fixed/repaired the
photos and prepared a digital file of each board, which was then sent to the printer.
The designer designed the exhibit space and provided drawings of the space and
of the stands for the artifacts. The designer helped in the installation of the project, and
made changes to the original plans at that time.
Volunteers built and painted the stands, cleaned and repaired artifacts, and helped
with the installation of the exhibit.
Results:
The exhibit provides the history of the Schroeder area and of the museum
building to residents and visitors. It will be open to viewers the remainder of this season
and for the next two seasons as well.
Conclusions:
The project required many more volunteer hours than I had anticipated. This
wasn’t a problem, since all had been in on the planning and were eager to complete the
work.
We learned that by sending digital files of each board to the printer, the cost of a
board was reduced about 1/3rd and we had better control over the final result. As a result,
we have 17 exhibit boards we are very happy with that cost less than the $3000 we
budgeted for ten boards. This information could be helpful to other small museums.

Appendices:
Appendix a: Photos of Exhibit and Exhibit Boards
Appendix b: Artifact Stand Designs
Appendix c: Exhibit Design
Appendix d: Letters of Donation and Appraisal

*Bill and Gloria Jordan operated the Cross River General Store in the Stickney/Lamb
store building from 1976-1998. The Stickney Store exhibit boards tell the history of the
Stickney/Lamb/Jordan store up to its present use by the Schroeder Area Historical
Society.
 Appendix a

Photos of Exhibit and Exhibit Boards

 Mapping Schroeder Area History:

More than 150 Years

Building Community: Homesteads, Roads and Resorts 1915 - 1950

This exhibit tells the story of life in

the Schroeder area from about 1915
to 1950 and how the early residents
built a strong and neighborly
community. It describes homestead
life. the construction of bridges and
highway 1 I 61. and the building of
resorts.

It also tells the story of this building.

the Stickney I Lamb Store that was

the center of community life for
Schroeder area residents during this
period and is now the Cross River
Heritage Center. where the Schroeder
Area Ilistorical Society offers
exhibits and events

'Illili proJ~t was funded In pan by th~ Coastal Zone M,IRilRement All. by NOAA's Office

of Ott'an <.Ind C(lastal Resoune ALmagtoment in <:ooperation with Minnesota's Lake

Superior Coastal Program,

.nO

hy a "ift (rom the Lamh family in mernorv of H'i1T}' and Doris Lamb

 They Came to Claim 160 Acres...

Homesleaders came to d:um ]60 ,,\crcS of free land and eSli.\blish homesteads,. Other people came to log. or trap. or {anD,

Norwegian fishermen <.:ame 10 live and fish illong Lake Superior's ruggt!d sbore bec,ausc it -remin ded t.hem of their homeland.

Living in lhi'i isolated area required courasc:c, hard work. optirnism, ingenui ty and dcterminil.{ion.

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The homes ~Dd busin~sses of the ho_m es.te-aders and early settlers arc
l c>cated on thl5 map.

W. C GilLbc. "Wild4 1hn

J..... ltlbh-- G,JOd bu:m.r ot'I'.wt
II tw'd~
1915 - A New Metal Truss Bridge
In about 19'5
rlw:r m lhl..~ pr
d hddgt,· ,,':.n;. blll}t
:s~tH
a.Cr"O~5 the
locati oJl. It lCpl.;Jt:t.'d I.h t·
1925 - Building the New Highway
old \Io'ood ~ n ToVt.·n Bridg~ at 'h e mouth o(
Ihl' Cross. R".'t:T A note on d po:!otGlTd
p U:luring thi~ hrtdgl' SiolyS 1h.J.! -IVJO ml'n
argued labout Ihe wooden bridgel. Jnd one
l); th~m burm'd It d()lJ,'u.'

Thi' stc-el bridge ..... ;a~ one: u( s~~v,.' r al

prefJ.brtciJled b)' the t"oh:' y OYOlhcn

_­-""-.....
ComUlUClio!l Co of Sl l'liul. SC".Ill by bargt'
10 unJo~ding \OC31i(m s t'loS:C' to where the)'
WE'n: to be ust:d.. tbt..:.1'1 {lued fogcth('r like
bfg pU:l:tIe- at tht! Sit's.
il
_
rw ...............
*",.SIMo.-~Jat'
...."...~~
.....
....

It ·s b ..\ rd \0 lm.lg,lOc. hut unlillbc ·ucu'· road was t'o mplrted In Jbour 1925 (pav ed i'l tl))3) thi'rt: 1,1,,'<1-,", 00 ro"d njJ~n l n,J:!. all'Hlg
the;.' sbor e (·cnnet' Lint.; Duluth and G r.Jnd Port~g c Towns-hips bUlH fhe c;;:uli{:1' foad l1\la,nd. up lIuough "'nl;:;.nd .and Cr-3m~r

Cars Precede the Highway b('<':ilO SC thL' rivt:r''li a long the shore w 'r~ ~o h a rd.
l~lIand
[Q CfOS:S In J917 tnt;' sl.He ol MJnn e,-,<) I~\ took over m;,intcnan('t; 0( (h ...•
mild {roro. Two Ha.rbors lIJl thmugh Cr"m('r to Grand M~ riiii is. H '\.10'2.., named SI,n~Road Al
Cr3IDC ilnd Sch~()('dcr T(lwn!o.hip ~ had s p("nt
Qunc " lOI o( U10n(~y lind riln (' building aDd Foh:~ Bothc'r'!: ",'as the cODlr:.II.;.lor wbo bl111l HI,1,'Y 6l from U ttl4,! M.ar,lt .. to ScbYoedc'r. f·ole.ys h<ld a Luge horS'1! C,'ollUp 'in Pork
up~nHl ng JO<ld. f..-l) tn 1908 to 1920. C"en So. thy u'h 1(' bulldJng the ro,lcl Slalmn ·wmkr.rs: deJ!'ed <lI1d stumped thl' right-of-w,1Y$ A :stat io" I~ 100' in length and b Wide
tbe rOJds were oflc n rud,y .. "nL! rulled. making ,).5 W:JS dftcid cd on. The Tj,~ht· o! ·w,"" y d e :tJ"1ng Ul'a s going on in lh(' c:arly 192(1's.
i.~ nece.ss 'H}' to ('arty !>('V~TolI spare tires. Th is
AS' soo n as" Oit.' l"Q.id was complt..1cd. thl' fi "ht!CT)l(:n or~.iUl):tcd the North Sh ute Fre1ght Company 10 (:a rry lh('jr fid'l to
(Ud.n <t siop filmntc-:; fnl1n l.mYlng ar s.- hou·ever.
1))3rkl." ! Mr. U;),-wlo (rOln DuluLh "" ;1:) lh ' cumpa ny m :mageJ'. ,).1\d C:..roIY'r1 G'Und('rS'oJl (daughuH 01 }"n,:.d) w a!!. fhC' b oa rd
Sm~c then.' s.tltl U ''2.S no l"oud conm:cr ing s('cn.'(a ry. Th~ bc);; rd nlC't 2 t imt'S" " y e OJr ihl' C(ftoilTtt1Y O\\'"n(:'/1 2 !rudis.. on\.!' In Duluth and on!.'.LD Grand M a rO:li s.. They dru~'("

Du.luth [0 Grii.nd Porl:tRC, lht.· first can . were 210ng Il.le- s,hurC' and when they mel til..:)' t xch.:mge d fruJ,:.ks..
d elivered by thl' Sit'arner A'm l'rk a or on the
Alge'r -Smilh L.ine in Cn1l)L'.t. Gasoline- for
cht"$t.' COlT'S \W ~ "I so dcJi"Jl!I'C'J 1Il b~rTids aboard
Ulc An' ~nt(l and haul('d to the Stickney or
Gund('rSoo n S\on~.

(Cob Sih'('r 101d 3bout the 1919 Pan Colr tha t .,.'k<oO"',uk.--....,.. •.a.e_r-.~..,."-""."
O" ... ~ . . . ' fIct!I ..... _ItItw_IoA.Ip....tv ..
Camlt Oil lht." Algt-,· Smi :h 11rH.' in Cr01TOl' r. It had
" hC.l.dHRht tba.1 S\\i'lln, around. ·We h.ld a lnt
of flat tlfj'S !h('l"\ an d would s hov.' tht- lir:ht on
Ih i.!" I).ack wh e £'L~ The Vale:ml n e Urothers nf
(,uts ell hitd Q'fdl"red il. but lltOOk.:I. team nf
horst,S' to pun it QVl'r the honH'shoc curve .HH1 The Lake Superior International Highway
up thl! hIll s rJut oj' CroJroc!" b~(;;l\J:) " h didn't The l\.UnnC'sota ArrQ''''head Assoc-i.:ltion, PorI ,\rthul. Canada. Ch<:!mber of Commc-Tce. OInd fOr{ WHli.•nn. Ca.n~dd . ClVic

ha.ve t.'nougll powe-r ID make fI 00 its own. Touris t nureau {luolis.hcd" map 'lnd b rochure eloq u e ntly describing the LAke Superior !nlCmat ioful Highw3.Y

Willard N'~l s u'n wllo gr'Cu ' up l.n I.U lSCtl .!>dl d -On<,ipllon of 1Ir. (oad lion Iml"'rtInftl<a to tluno who kn_ It: _avaganl IanlalY 10 !hOi......0 don'L On
Ibill the road lrOIll Lut co to TOlle w:a s So b i! d th. on. hGnd PO"'ple ,,, 0,........ <• • 01"'1 ,hilling 10 ,....'~_ ... m"
a ,Iftglnll potll ,., lire ",n, lomtrtlmft
th,H they MoYe to GrJ.J1d Ma rai s: (0 do thc·i.r blGd, wilh Itorm. ,omtrtl .... 41nolvtd In mll'L and all _"'lnlllnIO vall dlltan'•... /lr><I on Ih.. oIh" hand.
bu.smess. wI_n.... ond maR wlld..n.." ,eachlng 10' hand,", 01 mil... nortlr alld "",III_L-

Uor~ .....

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C'I!dI,....... ..u
.... "l'kT~ ..

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e.-O"'·....f ....
~. X-~l.iIIIo
 Building Community:
Homesteads, Roads, and
Resorts 1915 - 1950
Resor.ifs &

The New Highway Brought Workers and Tourists Resorts Sprang Up in Schroeder Township
A'j one dml' l.ht're ....' cr· 11 resort.s along the lake in S hroederTownship and 5 inla nd_ Fish!~ rm~:1 buill
Workers conl.ing up 10 build the fll!:\\' h,gbway nnd brldgcs: nccd "d
rnany o( the firs t c abins in the 1920's ilnd 30's
\
pl~\ c<,:s to stay and cal. Ken Bonin said this \4'..,. ho\.,. Fr('d ancl E.lin

Gunderson got into fh~ Cab1" bustne:s;s;. A worKer who was building: the
Gunderson
nC\l' CrOis River bridge asked to Hve ond b oard at Gunderson' , Then

Cabins
another ask.ed. so lotted built th e first cabiJl. tht!f) a notber,

and ..Gund ersoo·s Re~ o n \1.',0. born .

A physician in Mln.ne ApoU encouraged his pa ti enti with hay fm'cl' to

COOle to th e NOJ"l h ShoTe to get reli e f. \\fo rd spre ~t.1 .•md lhe: area

l>ccam.e known as " haven for h,a y fever sufferers Ji m'I'\'cck rcm

reml!mbcrs ~ WOmiln who boarded with hi$ mother Dcouple of months

a year beci\use she had terrible hay {ever. His ln oilicr ran Dlrch Bench

Cabins: in Thomas villc-, Like Ihe other <w rly (a bins, th en.' W.J.~ no

ronning w(lter or lm lc!s fa d I t' es:

Hazel and Joe Pecor b uill
an d t a.n Sta r of th~ NOMh
Horace Stickney built hIS first c..bin on th e rivC"f (or a MlnneilpoHs.
lIesorl . ln 1940 Pecores sold
\l'o nl.1n who wrote aski ng i ( she couJd gct 3 cab~n in July. He \\-TOt e

Iho Slar or lb. Norlh 10

back and told h er if she \,,'ante d a cabin (or the monlh of Jul)'. he'd hav -'
Hanict Ru t dnd Mtlnc
one ready {or her: He recalls,· Ilhen I b ad to "fu 5 aTOllod first or July
AIlrellb Marle campaigned
...nd II:ct some lumbe r, Got a couple o( fellows and th ey put up a cabin
:hc \Var Department Bond (or a vehtcle for the rc on ior
fo r h er, ~
ma ny monlhs. Allhough som. resorts losed during WWII.
TOUrists can\c 10 fish in th e riven, and hunt in th e fOr(·s ts. J;.y und
H~rr1 e l and M~ rl " kepi Slar of the North open Gue IS ..-ere
M;'ftlc Kno"rlton sla}'cd at Stickney's Lllmo!;t t:\' cry sprmg a.nd summer,
.dVlSNI 10 I)ring .helr rood rallon books ..lih .hem Tbtir 1946
The Kn owlton men loved 10 fish .
Smith Cabins Droch",. advised guo" •• hal Ihelt main lodge had been
:1esfroye ri by ti re. Th ey were nevel' .able to lcpli.1c:e l!

Summer Residents ::~=~

..~f~i€~
.LoIa _ _ _ _

In th e t' 1uly years, most visitors re rHed abms or slaYNt In --~

=l.~­
-­ --­
= ~~­ - ­
u:=-~"t"j,:'=-; -= :.~-- :::..._-_ ....
. -.-­ _­
~i?0:.~~
the Cross RJ\lcr In.n or S tick.ney Hotel.. Ho",reve.r, Franle. ~ ==­
f.#.~~E
-~~
~:.::.:::-.!:
aod Alice Wi\uen bll Ur a cabin next 10 Star at the Nonh.
~~~~~ :~..;..::.::-iE ~~~E-T~
and Le s ter and Orill.l ClJy ~ r. buHt 11 cabin on the emmcr
=-...-­ i".':..~"";. 'C::1 ~~=:.~~~fla

iir~
Road. 1~ h<: sc sumnl cr residents and tbe many that
~.::;-:;,:==:
fol)m,l,'ed in later yea "" ~ n:' ac t:i\'e in too s umm r social Ara and Ell" Snmh had Ihe Pioneer Re ort. mor.
communly kno\ll] o)~ Smilh's Cabin,.. down on
~.lt~¥:g
scene. :.?::..~ :.~.:..:..:;.s
Baroga Ro.,\. Ellis Smllh kepI a boa. lied up near
f'r ank and AJice W~ITen MIned Ibelr pbce ShmJng Rocks. Ihe bnttge in th ~ Cross RiVf!T. He 'u serl it 10 take
They employed ·Mad:- McKec\'(> T as g\ "'dencr Ol nd
the guests In hiS' cabln!i ou t on Ihe lake once while
h.lndymar Tl\clI' on e. room (o~ cabin wi th front porch WilS they wt.·re there, The trips iltW~1)'5 Incluot!d a hare:
cons tde-red · quite ~ grand cah in· al the time. lunch or brcdkJast. which hI!' cooked htm!i-e.lf. Cliff Cove Resort
The Coyel's' Cilbln \\,",I S a pa'Oeli:r.~d sfructure . Th e children Bru c.: ~ Palnlf'f recalls tha t ElHs would come to the
c.~1n and say, -ThIs is Ibe day 10 go Iisbll1g: They
on tbe scbi,)ol bus in Ihe ~\(t eT'nOon wert: sUrt}riSl'd to sec ;)
cabin slilndmg on l,md that h()d bee n vacant in th~ would !raw . noU! 3:00 in Ihe .fternoon and fis h
n1orning~
right OppOMtc tt_l! Schroeder shore "Sometimes
you t..3ught ,omC!'thiog olnd s om cli me~ not" Bruce
l\fteT \VV·llI .trchiI CC( ~dmund Lnndie d e slW:Ol?d the
saul. Then Ellis ""'ouJd cook a "hore lunch. Brul·e
""e U~lc nown Lundt£' C.lbms for sevend su mmer re sidents re members £JUs cooked bln"Uils and had a lOI of
whu gladl)' lIohared th iT talent s u"t1h the community Iitl1e p ~ ns He was it good coo k, _.~~~
.........
"' _ . _...._ ~_f~

_

01.... ·_tr... .. _~
'*'c....t...n.I,.
lirluarr. . ., u.n.e.rao....iUoI_.
~""*tvlI.LI.~... . ..aTIW('___
 Business Activity Centers Around the New Bridge
In 1915. 5t~1 bridge wu buill:;u 1M 1...,.._ olthe ~I High••,
61 bnda'" Thil; bridat ~1KftI a .....oe.. brId~ thaI had lIftn M~r
'h' lake. lI ora« Stldml:ybllil t his ftnl ~Iore ,,"tbe .".,.Id" of tllr

_-­ ..
. --_
---
rinoT In 1922 ~ ..d We. Smith built the CToas River hll.llo\el On tho:
"as! ~ oltbt nft'l" In about \925.
---
---
---
The Smith HoteVCross River Falls Inn Smith's Garage
ElIl$ Smith bull] 111$ t\q\ wooden
pr~e across the , ""ee' from the
_d. The .", Ie "]&11_.,
;lepanmem ....1d hl$ pra,e WU
;00 d ... ~ to tl>e hlgh"""y; so he

~. o
-_. _­
llIoved II aCJl)S$ th~ ow.d. then tO~

It down and buill a new brick

lar...... Ell .. Smith could II:r an)'lhiD&- H.......

] was c\owod aDd llIe
IIlmlslllllCl nc:ti<>Md e>tf1ll1931
I t...e d the hole] from \he Smith", and ""named
I. ~ Cross RI...,. I..... Baker added a mo......
thUte. and roI]"... skan.., rink in about 1939.
~
n Dpt'rt mechnk: and ..IOOCtrlND. He borlh •
~n,...,.tor that pr'O\'Ided ele-ctrkil:1lo!boo hOl~.
IlIU~e. the Stickn..,. Ilore. Gunderson ""b:ns,
Star of th.. Nortb lloon. and Fnnk and Alice
_ _ Warn...·..... m___ cabin.
~ SUer
Gunderson's Store and Cabins

l
Fred. and KIln Gunderson operated "­

:-;OTICE Itfmlil Carlllf:lI.. ShlfI"Y he",.... and olber lo.::aJ ' .....,ral Ito~ .. _hort distance eaot <If
ch:..ldrtn ~"m""' r walchlns movi... and the D'ou River. GundeTSO<1's sco...
ridln, thel. b1kt.. and roller-,lutlng on \he

_. . --­
had a '1lkI! " " caDdy "",nlet;' and
l..dlned tlluler noor Tbe bllild;", WH 10m the prices we,.., less than at
do"", In th~ ]9 ' 0'.. SI.Ickncoy'L Haniet job......,n Ec:kbnd

-",,_... said. her ram.llJ and frlendl'walked

-­
• ' 0

;;1:'~~'::.... the Ulra mile roundlrlp.o

-"'__ _
~-::-:.":..
... . .,........­
. . . . .·f ! . . · ' i ...... I ~ · ·.,.
GwwIoonon·. to.aYe' coup.. of
pe~K.'

..,-­ -_
-_....._. _-...._..
----_
:,:,"~~OL
Bradley's Portable Saw Mill
, Earl Bradley buill a poNble A_.LL on th e
_ _ _ _ .....c - _
... Stldta..,. ""ach wb..,.., he ",lIIed pol... and
niI"""'-~

--..--­
Civic Building

Schroeder Town H all Schroeder Dock

In 1911 the com",unlty cel.. b r ~ted tbe ot>tDln& of the ~ a>ncroot.. dock built
SchroedM TO'to'I>Sb.ip purdl:ued
land ftom Kli Smith for S35 and
by w.e. Smhh on ,he eut sid.. of th.. Crou It!woet Sect\onI of this dock call ftill
"" seo... at the ....d or the Baraga Road
built a'IbwD IlaU .... 1M C raJIIH
R~ Dan<;fl. bulu:1 sodal"
dI........... -odinp. and. fune,"u
toolt pla.:e In the towD lull.

Tofte Range r District

Ed NuUlpn and. Charlesfiylor
buill ...... of the tint T\)fle
R~t Dlslrlct <"bini on the

-- Schrl'ledt.Tot.. Ro.o.d In 19lO

 1888 Redmyer Post Office Opens 1908-1910
The firsl POSI office op~n"d in
Mail goes by Train on !be Alger-Smilh railroad line
Marth of 1SS8 ncar the mouth of

. . to Finbnd and is Ihen delivered 10 Scbroeder by

the Cross River. It was located in • - .•, ..........\/It.-..-- ­ Hors.eTeoltn..
the Redmyer 's bomestea.d. The area

W'1c5 nrlmed Redmycr and Mr. ~.,~~<, 1910 Post Office Moves to Cramer
Hedle y Re dmycr s-erved as the

.: :
Mail goes 10 Crame"r MN and is carried to
POSlmaster.
Scllroede-r on th e newly (omple-ted Cra mer Road,
which "'''. upgraded in 1918.
1891 Post office moves to Lutsen
The US Posta l Depa.rtm ent decided one post office in the 1923 Post Office Comes back
area was adequate. so UICY m()v~d the Rcdmycr Post Office The Alg·"r-Smir.h railro ad line pults out oi Cramer

(0 Lutsen. MN tu D(~ccmber of 1891.

in 1922 and lh.4! mail is dcliverNf ilgi, jn to
S{".hrocder with rhe eS' tablishm(-[lt of tJ1C SC.hTO der
Post Office to 1923 at th e Stickney SIOr<'
1897 Post Office Back to Redmyer
The Post Office moved back to Rearny" r April 16. 1897 and 1978
opened in Schroed~t Lumber Co. I:IeadquarrcTs, Mr. Alexandt·r A Community Hub With Ill' sale of tlle store to Bill and Glol'in Jorda n,
Dolan, <upcrinlendcnt of Schroeder lumber Co. applied (or a Posl People all came to pickup tlwfr mail a l the post office was relOGH d to thr. vacated Pure Oil
Office because iI was cumbersome (or t.he SchrooMr Lumber til e Post O(JicC' siu,ce nll".j1.\ rou te delivery Station which .Iso housed Ihe Scandia Hal< ''Y
Company to do aU postal business JO mile's away in Luts-cn , The was un.v'Hab l~. Thus. the I}OSl omce
Schroeder L\lntber Company employed Ov~r '1.000 men. sCJ'ved :as It central community hub for 2002
news. sodalization. eme.rgen cy Postal construction of lhe pres~nl slle began III April
1904 Redmyer Becomes Schroeder assistallce as we.!l as deer feedjng! 2002 with the final move September 2002, Modern
The town of Rcdmyer was org;:mized and re named facilities \I.'ere a: welcome addition. Rout e- delivery
Schroeder in 1904 <flcr John Sdrroerter fOllnder of th e beGHnC' an o]'>tjon ior Schroeder reSidents in 1985. but
Scurocde,r Lumbe..r Company. .. .. ~ ~ . : many residents. dl (IOS~ 10 (orne daily to the post o(f]ce.
: -: ..... P
I' .: \
II

Summer residcnlS> also greatly o:lppr L~ciJ t c fh~ post;tl

I , . II , .:

1905 Post Office Moves to Smith Hotel

... •~ ' :f box option, and the post offlce continues to serve as 3
bub for information sbaring a.n;l socia1i2.aoon for the
\V.C Smith, th l'' town 's fina busin.;:' ssman was Ihe owner of th e
communit)' of SrlnoeMr,
Smith Hot £'L He had tJlC Post Office I'e-locatcd fTom the Lumber
Company 10 a torn"r 0( tho Hotel from 1905 -1908. Th e .h otel was ~ .. ,;.. ~.
lOC3[ed ncar the rnouCh of the Cross River. and
as Pnstmaslcr. His dut-il's LIS
Mr~ Smith s.e r\'ed
postmaster included 1"O\V1ng his skiff
;.:' ~ . ;.fa' .t}~.~ .
~ ~~\:.
out to meet the ihip. The A.men~ . Hl're h e would pi.ckup the
mc.iJ on Sunday and \V(!dne_sdHY nights. 1-Je ohen pi(:kC'd up
passe-ngf1J!i ~Iong with thl! mailj

::: -- ­
,, -
:::.z:~
_- -"'_.'-"
:- ''"' -:!" .::~, ''':!:: -- I _ ~

._'.;".::~ '::! .::.."":."'iI!":

.. . . ....=. ~,';;::::-~
~ ...
'!.. .:!=~ ;

- :-::"
 1920'sMoving to Schroeder!
Late 1920's: Don't Fire Up the Stove!
Horae' and Nell buil( a:1l addition for serving meals. and added gas pumps. This
I b uilding bU.r n"d d own in 1928 when H orace bad left ltis motber-in ·law Fannie
~'radenburg m cha.rge of th e store wh ile he and Nell traveled to Duluth . H e gave

I Fanny specific ins:trucrions not

tame by, ilnd Fannie sta.tte-d 01 tire n the stove to prepare
10 fire up the gas S IOVt". bu( some hungry
OJ hOI meal The stove
tourist~

malfunctioned and building bW'ned down.

Horace Sfi r kn ey fo llowed his 1929 After the Fire

'he art- to Schroeder wiler., Nellie Afte r his busine s burned down. Horace
Fl'adenburg Gtm!' 10 liv e With h ¢T hired an architec t a.nd built i.t n ew s tore.
parents On Iheir h omestead on "bi! ne\V sIJUct'ul'~ hou.sed a gro cery store. 7
the Cramer Roa d and to te-iu:h tourist rooms on (he second story. ccnu()J
. . . -: . ..-. . s~hool. J-Ioracc bough! land from dini ng room. n pOSt office and a gas station
fOT the Schroed er area and tOUl'is t busi ness.
;.:_. . ....... -- ~-- ~- nenr}' Re d mye r. the first white .c .«-. ~ .,foIIt.c.-...

. '/

:~. ;' :~ '< .}~: : ~.

rr;i: ..
';. .~::, ?
.. ...-:.-"", ' - '
senle... and pos t master of th e
toWD of Redmye r. On lhis land
_ ..~J.~9
_~oJ •

-~
'4..1'

..j ' The building iDclud~d

one of tbe fir st f"cilines in Schroeder with

3 bathrooms -I cing

. .. .. ,.- ..".........<.... .. ;,.;: . - . ~

indoor toilets, a baultub ilDd sink.,.
W'lre the rernainillg b uilltings of
l'b.o,M q,/ Jo;, Daa.:l
lh t! Schroeder Lumber Comp.any~ H~.uw1f\rb
Wr44InI lemuua.
.In old frame honse. i.1 shed . hotel.

office building. il1)d a log barn .

The Depression
,_J. _ .. .
_,,""l-.,...,. ._ ~_# . In th e fall of 1929 the s locl< market crashed

.........
........
throwin g th1! n adoJl into .an economic de pression .

Horace had cllarged aU th e supplies to bu ild his

--r"'- ~- - ", '¥' j-- ­ : .... . - lnnc:t'•

..;...:: .. ' • .~ • •' . ... _..;: c' . ..... .. -:-­
n ~w SotOl'('. He n eeded to satisfy h.is o· dltors a.nd

7?··.~:~./~~~· : ~.';:· .. .:;-­ :; _ ! • fortun a lely (he tc.lepb one company was workin g )'ir~pbc"1! Room - ~rn~ ~J to4.ay_
. . ... ,. .......­ g~£Od ~ eU
U ' _ _ ,f . ' .,.­,;-" . -..... . ~.. throughout the winter to i mprove lclephollt'
service on Ihe North Shor The telepboae creW <. 1 - ; :. ~
s tayed in Ihe rooms above the sto re au.d took thei r 'I~ , ~~
f"":1
"
I
.. t \
"I.

}!~:.
meals in Ihe dining room. This incom e. carried th e
Slickney's through Ul e winter and lbey WEer e able
-...:.
to satisfy their creditors by paying a porO o)) o(

th e ,. d ebl$ until bus;neSs improved ill the

sun:\.n"lc r.

~ ..... U;, ~,~t\ltOilll"t:SbjB~ d.. ~~",,~~

..,- r~ ... ~~
~~ )~c..~ PTfiII
...'""
j 'rr, .rtl. C~ ~ /;"~.L· QIl~ ~

Hub of the Community

A later picro,-e o f th~ in terior of the Stickney
1923 Tourism Begins! Store. Lo ng time enl)}loyees Elizabeth Ducious
The folloWing surumeJ Horace c n <;lructed a building up by Ule I'oall He wa s gel'li ng his and Hildur Gilberts on are behind fbe counter. The
p ~rsonal supplies via bo"t at fbe Schroeder dock o n the cast side o( the Cros. Rive r. Siore se rved a~ the hub of the community With Ihe
W1H~: n

.­
the <.:abin was about half finish ed. H salesman happ ene d to come by. -He wrole up Pos t Offic e. NorihJan;lBus stop and
an order of c.andy and cigars and POl' and stuff.. . They came up {by boat1 on Friday. and comnmD.l cation.s ,enter
1 got tbem of( o( I.be boat . I didn't h a" " th e cabIn op~ncd )'el. It was such a nIce day and
, otice Ih< ~"d Jtld yellow shingles on the roof of th e store. Horace w;ulled
we ekend: I went up and took sonlC sawho rses. 1 had. a nd I Dl3de It 3 kind ()f a counter. I
evt:ryone I" notice th.c build ing 'IS Ihey drove P"$l on Highway 61. In addifion to
got so m f.~ ice out and I put OJ tub of it.:e {or). tb e lloorJ. 1 opened the damJ) place up {or
the Sto re al""g the high way; in the 1930's Horace and Nell bwlill cabins along the
husi'n ess and I sold everything I had thai day,· (O,.~, H iSto"y -CooK CC)"UMY lI islcrric.:IJJ Sorrel),}
shore of Lake Superior and ove rl ooking th e Cross River canyon gorge. Bob Silver.
H arry Lamb helped 10 b u ild fbe cabins.

,-. ~ 'r,., L II R'

~
~ ' := •." . ~ '. ,m c...bio. l A.[ SI:kbq: .~ -

., ~'. ~- . ,,'.. .1I14c;J:1rpla:mhi:7IJl ~bl1)lh"i~ 1l.at17

SUtbort 1..of"b md Aol'If"I,\
Stk" tIt')' StOt'l' WI'" R-t"i! '0Qf ~ tl1~ fWd """"
f_lbo'~~l:.i:nnJ1IWHlCryl.su,.rrvtl"
!(oil1'lImAJJ"QfC"\
 Serving the Thriving Community of Schroeder and Taconite Harbor

1954 Lamb's first winter in Schroeder! Lamb's store addition ­phase 2

In 1954. Horace Slickn.-y·s nephew Harry Phds" 2 inv~lvcd • second store addition in 1965. It
Lamb and his wife Doris purcbase Ihe SIOrC
included a walk-in mea. lockc'!". additionill
and resort. They moved tbeir faDlily of 3 refrigeration and space to Serve t.he ore c:;aniers whh
children SlcIp. Kathleen. and Colle<:n (Yom groceries.
Saul< Rapids. MN to Schroeder ill
December 1954 Because the Stickney's Uke otber 'resort ki ds' growing up In family
aew home in Grand Marajs \IIa~ nol businesses; Ott the Nonhshore. the 3 Lamb children

:"~~~~:-....I fi nished. Harry ilIld Doris and their 3

were actively involved with numerous jobs including
children spent their fif'St winter in :;;torc derk. cabin cleaning, cabin repiiirs and
-::~t.'::~.tl Schroeder living in d tiny cabin across the maintr:nance. hauling garbage. pumping gas.. mowing

•-"11Ni''Tn';';;'---I h ighway from tbt: Store. This; font1t:!r Forest the laWD-". filling marine supply grocery orders. and
Sctvlce Statioo had one bedroom and no emptying the Quaners (rom .he Laundromat!
running water~

Changes and Improvements to keep up with the times!

Harry and Dotis Lamb initialed several cbanges wh ell they purchased the Siore and
resort. J." ......... )ro~ "PI

"u liWI,ottll, 1hiII

Expansiorl inclUded: J'f~;'CU &flu ,~.,
0I¥. r1
POSt Office expansion
• Campground u'ith modem faciUl e.s.
• Pure Oil gasoline Station
• Laund,romat
• Barber shop
• Additions 10 the store .. nd
Marine supply business {or tbe ore carners

In 1957. H..-ry Lamb trawkd to Cleveland. Ohio to m eet

witb on:." carti e r companies. He s(."·('ured contracts wil h the
shipping cO.mpiilnies to suppJy groceries to their carrier~

who were loading Taconu. pellets 0.1 Erie Mimng'S ore dock Campground in 1960
in Schroeder. The iron ore canier$ were loaded 2m. wtth The newly cr·c ated t:ampground was a su<.:c.:css in the early bO's and continuC"s today.
as many as 3 c.a.rriers ;:oJ day
Kathy L..mb Linnell teUs tb e story of the reson guest from FlOrida who rang the lodge

.- Lamb Store addition ....phase 1

The /irs! addilion was ..dded. enlarging the slor~ and
door bell .'lOpm. reQuesdng IJJc ·cro.s river f'llis be (umed off now. as we arc ready
(or bed'!

Unique to Lamb's Rcson was b elping to rescue:

coruleC1:lng the .store to t.he previous gasoline station. people who would sllp ilnd faU over the Cross River
The lower level " 'as remodeled to house retrigerated Falls. AI least yearly. SlcIp and Kathy would TUll down
and locker equipment complete with track and meaJ the cmbanlonent and jump in below the CaUs 10 a<siot
hooks. people \0 shore. Unfortunately. not all victims

A Lawldromat was aJ~o established in the lower survived lJJe fall. Ba.rri<!Ts were finally erecied by the

level. Local !"esideut Tony C!c.k. recalls OWI hearing Srate 10 provide proteC:.ion and prev~nt acddent.s.

the Schroeder lumberjacks discussing lhe case oC
doing laundry in the new l ..undromat versus using
the Creek I
The old gas.oline stillion .scrv4!d a.s. a ba.Tbef" shop
which was opt:r\ Oll Saturdays! Colleen M. Lamb
stand~ in the store addluon .. ...norc the barbershop
hours! Charlie Nyland was th e w"elc.ly barber.
Sjnce gasoline was a critical need. :a P'UT~ OU station
was buill west 01 the storc building. Kenni. Carlsen
Thi.< photo is in Ihe original kitchen in this
building which is now the main level ""hinit room
in thc lieritage Center. These windows looked
down the road and to the laJo:c. Local bear would
roam t.he resort and <.:ampg·r uund prope ny. Kathy
Lamb Linnell tells the story of r .urnlng h ome to
Int.roduce the young man sb~ was datlng 10 her
father. She found her Dad Silting at .hest' open
windows with a shotgun ove r his lap wailing to scare the bear. Afle'r this cxl'crience.
the young man neveY" returned~

ran lhe new slation beginning in 1957. It was

Num~rous local residents were involved with Lamb's Store.
eventually taken over by Danny and Joyce Kehoe.
Resort and Marine SC'r vice Including Bill Donegan. Tony Cicak.
Today this building hou.'cs tbe Schroeder Post Oftke
Edna Morris. Lupe T:!ylor. Rosie SolDl1i5. John Stoll. lver
and th" bakery.
Larson. and Waller Swan50n. Bill Donegan was a full time
~!lllJl oyee. who 1l1'OVlded immC!a~ur8blc ilu:istancc in the store
and with the marine ~upply busine.!i~
 1965-1976 Store and Resort Sold
Aller graduating from UMD in 1965, Harry and Doris's son Horace (Slop) LalDb, his
wife Linda and family returned to Schroeder to live and work, They purchased Ihe
slore and FeSOn and moved inlo the Iivin& Quaners in lhe rear of Ihe building. This
would be tbe 3rd generation 10 live and work in the SlickneylLamb's slore. Completed
at that rime was Ihe linal additlon to Ihe 5\ore wilh • new, larger walk in cooler, self
1976-1998 Cross River General Store.
In 1976 Bm and Gloria Jordan purchased Ihe store and moved Iheir tamily into
Ihe building. The named changed to Cro.. River General Store. Smaller ships
were replaced by larger ships whicb meant fewer vessels al Taconite Harbor.
Bill eventuallY Slopped seUing groceries to Ihe ore slUps and df'Veloped a
homemade saw.age business and liquor store. His unique sausages lVl're

service meat counler. post office, laundromat and girl shop. served at outdoor socia.l functions.

1999-2002 Building Condemned!

In 1999, the Minnesola Department ofn-ansponation improved Highway 61
Marine Supply Business Increases th.r ough Scllroeder. They purcbased and condemned Ibe building. Schroeder
When Taconil~ Harbor was operating at full peak, Ihe Lamb Siore .ul'plied the many Ore
TownShip and the historical soctety collaborated to preserve Ihe historic
<amen that arrived a mile down the Toad at Thconite Harbor. They would service one to
strucrure. Exten.liiive renova1ion occu.r red _
two boats a day so the Lamb. lured Jack Goettl 10 manage lhe growing supply business.

<~'''' ~iP1P p", . '

. -." j
,"
---.-~ r::; -- --
• _ .
-

u...·s KAIIII sum.' LUO'1 Jil.AllnSVPflf

- "'=­ - .::._ _ 'A ­ - -
j l : t~\ ;;::...­ -""....r
-~ ... :­ :

:- ~- ..
Cross River Heritage Center
After serving area res'idents and tourists (or
SbTp.'!\iII. ~at
T"4"_!.1~ ~ nearly 7 decades. the SliclmeylLamb Store
is renovaltd and opened as The Cross River
Heritage Center.

h1cr· 11OoI ("1)(.0",,­

b.llof)- jko""Ilf" I)Or-"" III SAltS­
"'"':r"III"" f'M ......c,q .<1", 'illv.Jn oi r..u1J1.tAr
 Northland Hardware Smith Coffee Shoppe/Cross
Joe Perore bull! Northland Hardwart· in 1939 or River Cafe
1940. Hit.el ran il while he wa' in the S ....bees Smith's Coffee Shopp" had its beginnings in a small
in WWII. When he returned from the war he oil ~hed in 1946. Nancy Gunderson. age II. and
enla~f'd the store and began building (or Sandy Smith, age I~, opened th e st'.nd to earn
Edmund Lundic. Joe had bencb I . ElM Olson money 10 go to Bible Camp, They dean ed and
bench 2. 3nd Ken Bonin Benel. 3 TI.ey built painted lhe oil shed, and Art and Jesse Lygllt painted
many cabins that Affbitcct Edmund Lundic a sign for IJ'.III . Sandy's moth er Ard Smith baked
designed. rolls for them ;;m d Nancy's mother Elin Guuderson

Bob & Shirley Bierbaum purchased Northland provided the hot dogs from the Gundcrson Store.

Jla,'dwar fwm Joe & tiazeJ P core in 1958. Sandy rf'membcrcd. "'Whe,n it ra ined w e 'd c.bew gWll
Til y ,old .",crything from faucet< and w.sJ,.rs and stic.k il in the holes in Ihe roof because it would
to toys ~mc1 r. off~e pots. Dob repaired chain leak. And w~ did not have a uraln. so we'd just dUJnp
saws: and opened and dosed cabins. Shirley Ihe coffee grounds and everythi1J8 down this bole in
ch ee rfully helped cu.'lOmeTS and o rdered th e floor." The M.inne.lpoJis 'fribune sent a
what ever OH~)' n eeded. SevE-ral owners fo.llowed phofogra.pher [0 Schroeder to interview il_nd
Bob & Shirley. Sa<lly, Nortbland Hardware wa. photOGraph these young entrepre neurs. The TrlbllJ~ c
destroyed by fire in 2001. Cabi.n owners and Tan an article wat summer.
IOed} residents still miss the friendly h e lp ;and
complete stock of hardware and building (w.rns. [n 1950. Ems and Ara built the Smith Coffee Shop, a
stop !Ou.rists p lann e d for a cup of coffee and piece of
Ara's bomemaM pie. Re sid nts and tourists aUk.

onsolidated Paper Company

enjoy~d the deUciou5 hOlJl~ cooked food for o\'e.r 50

he CODSolidaled Pape r Company purchased Sugar Loaf

ycars:. Tht' Coffee Sbop had si>vcra l owners and
andin!; in 19(3., about Ull: s ame time the y purchased the tug
became known a5 th e Cross RivN C.afe. Th e March
ulterfield . Consolidaled roft ed pulp locs out of Sugar Loa f
17 ,2002, fire th at con.. Ulned It des lroyed a
'rorn 194' to 1971. The operation boomed during World War n
lllucl! -Iov d gathering spot in Schroeder ......... c_
ith J5,000 10 40.000 cords of p ulpwood raited in the summer. Sltqo ",,"(Qr9 ~

OlD. . ..... C"~ $WI1fy

Cross Rivet" Lumber Company

Bob SUver and La uri e Burnaby
. . . . :-.I!!
lIottoI"!.4IIInI!& .....-"", . .

b ulll a saw mill in SdlJ'oedcr in

1948 , Bob SHYer ran U'e Cross
Rivc.r Lum.her Company fo r th e
nex t .0 years.

Taconite Harbor Construction Brings in new Workers and Residents

Workers Ilooded into the Schroeder area in Ihe earl)' 1950's to constructlh. dock. the pow'r plant. and the ra ilroad al Eri e Mining's Taconite Harbor. 1':\',,,")'
room and cabi.n were full. Erie Mining built a trailer camp for up to 500 (raiJees <10"'" 01) the sh o re. LateJ' they bu.l t Ihe hou ses in the town site.

Several busincsses spT'3ng up f{) s.erve this growing population: .A:1argc 's Kaffee Stuge, Xcmlit C.arlsen's P oft' ~ Sure Seorvict:.. Skou's Garage.. Smith 's S ChrOCdtT
Shell, a mobile home park, and an A & W RoOI Bee.' stand

Pure Oil Station I

-· r.at Cuk• • Skou's Garage
d ........­ Ed and Ma.yheHe Skou opened
"" ,1] .~. II , '.
Skou's Garilge on .he upper
-'\ T ; ,~
.. ...:........ .,'­
~
id~ of the highway in the late
1950·s.

Lots of ho opl~ cel ebraled the opening of Kermit and Margarei C.arlsen·s I'urc
Surt: $cJVicc in 1951. This buUdjng was converted into a post office L!.nd bakery
111 19.,6 and recen tly remodeled into the- USPO and (he Schroeder Baking
affee Stuge
ilrge and KnUtc Johnson opened
Company,
the Kaffe" SlUge In Thomasville in

Smith Schroeder Shell thp early 1950·s. Today Marlon and

ill McKeever run it Satellite's
Ellis Smith ran the Sn,i!h Schroeder Sbell Later it
r.hangrd hands and names severa) time~. Gary lr 0
3S

Country Tnn. Eaters especiillly

Sjerkn!'ss ran it "' the B&B. and Judy and Jim Nnrvell . \....C-...' ..... I'njoy homemade raISin pie and fish
opera led it as Ihe Sdlrocder SharI SlOp. Today it is
--~
Freda's Anttques.
 ...
doctwlsI! fro", lap left
APPENDIXb
Artifact Stand Designs
 r 18 1/2" >+­ - ---32"- - - ­ -,

I - - 36"-­ - ·­ __ _36" '­

29"
I

t..--­-·_-·-·- 3· 2"· ­ - _ _...-­

to"

.. - .­ - ­ - - ·- 3 4 ­__ _ __ 20.S
I
/'
\

3' 7"

---34- -- ----- -- --_/

 r-- -·

'"'-- ­ - ­ ~-· ~ib· - _ _ __ __

31h
I

3 L-_ ~____________________~
 rOLlnd- ­

----
411 wider
t ·
.
than chair____ / er than chair
II

l ' 2" 1' 11"

 0- 1 ' 8"1'""5"
,...

3 7"
1

3 ~,-2_" _ '--_

.-C23"~_.___
APPENDIXc
Exhibit Design
 D

Ie

I::;

 .......

. .M . .
'. ~ :
-.. .

I
i

 APPENDIX d
Letters of Donation and Appraisal
Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Lamb
P.O Box415
Schroeder, MN 55613-0415

Suzan From - Administrator

Schroeder Area Historical Society
POBox 337
Schroeder, MN 55613-0415

June 16, 2008

Dear Suzan,

This letter is to inform the Society that Skip and I are donating several items to the
Schroeder Area Historical for use in the "Building Community" exhibit.
\. Horace Stickney'S circa 1920's oak roll top desk. It stood in the Stickney store
from 1929-1954.
2. Square table. This table was used in the Stickney store dining room to serve
meals to customers and cabin guests staying at Stickney's.
3. Potbellied stove. This stove was used as part if the heating system during
Stickney store's first winter of operation in 1929.

Sincerely,

5~
Skip and Linda Lamb
 Fredas Antiques
Schroeder, Minnesota
218 663-0013

Linda Lamb
35 Birchwood Lane
Schroeder, Minnesota 55613

January 27, 2008

Dear Linda,

I have taken some time to research the values of your antique desk and table. Using my
library of price guides and reviewing comparable sale information on the auction
websites E-Bay and Craigslist, I think the current market value would be around $2,000
total. I have documentation to support this value, should you care to review it.

The oak roll top desk is large, in good condition, has nice metal detailing and the original
key. A fair price range is between $1 ,500 and $2,500. The square hardwood table is
between $200 and $400. Both items have good provenance.

These values represent my professional opinion, not an appraisal. This information does
not qualify as substantiation for a charitable contribution for income tax purposes.

Sincerely,

Karen L. Coon, Proprietor

 BUilding CommunUy:

Hume-sh,.ld$, RO.1Chi, .lnd

Rl''lorb (915 4
11)50

---~
..