A stand of native pines towers over the Gunflint Trail. Photograph by Norton & Peel, July 5, 1932.

Pines towering over the Gunflint Trail

A stand of native pines towers over the Gunflint Trail. Photograph by Norton & Peel, July 5, 1932.

A car on the Gunflint Trail road. Photograph by Monroe P. Killy, June 19, 1932.

Car on Gunflint Trail road

A car on the Gunflint Trail road. Photograph by Monroe P. Killy, June 19, 1932.

Road sign warning of “narrow, winding, hilly road, 25 miles per hour” along the Gunflint Trail. Photograph by R. O. Fletcher, ca. 1925.

Road sign along the Gunflint Trail

Road sign warning of “narrow, winding, hilly road, 25 miles per hour” along the Gunflint Trail. Photograph by R. O. Fletcher, ca. 1925.

Elaine and Fred Roleff camping on the Gunflint Trail. Photograph by William F. Roleff, 1935.

Elaine and Fred Roleff camping on the Gunflint Trail

Elaine and Fred Roleff camping on the Gunflint Trail. Photograph by William F. Roleff, 1935.

Gunflint Trail

The Gunflint Trail is a nationally designated scenic byway, also known as Cook County Road Twelve. It starts in Grand Marais and runs fifty-seven miles northwest to Trail’s End Campground near Saganaga Lake on the border with Canada. The trail, which cuts through parts of the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, is a popular destination for fishing, camping, canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor recreation.

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park entrance sign

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park entrance sign, date unknown. The park is the last sizable remnant of Minnesota’s “Big Woods.” Used with the permission of Rice County Historical Society.

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park picnic grounds, undated. This area was logged in the 1930s. Used with the permission of Rice County Historical Society.

Picnic grounds in Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park picnic grounds, undated. This area was logged in the 1930s. Used with the permission of Rice County Historical Society.

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park limestone, undated. Limestone quarried from the park was used to build local house houses, churches, and businesses. Used with the permission of Rice County Historical Society.

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park limestone

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park limestone, undated. Limestone quarried from the park was used to build local house houses, churches, and businesses. Used with the permission of Rice County Historical Society.

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park’s Hidden Falls, date unknown. Prairie Creek flows over the broad limestone ledge. The pool below the falls was at one time a favorite swimming spot. Used with the permission of Rice County Historical Society.

Hidden Falls at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park’s Hidden Falls, date unknown. Prairie Creek flows over the broad limestone ledge. The pool below the falls was at one time a favorite swimming spot. Used with the permission of Rice County Historical Society.

Creation of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, 1945

Between 1934 and 1945, many local advocacy and state legislative efforts were introduced to preserve the Nerstrand Woods as the last sizable remnant of Minnesota’s “Big Woods.” On March 28, 1945, the bill establishing the Nerstrand Woods State Park was approved by the legislature. It was signed by Governor Edward J. Thye on April 2.

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