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.

Aerial view of the Coal Creek Station, 2019.

Aerial view of the Coal Creek Station, 2019.

Aerial view of the Coal Creek Station, 2019.

A drum puller and reels of cable being strung for the Cooperative Power Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota/United Power Association, Elk River, Minnesota high-voltage power-line construction through Grant County, Minnesota, 1976–1978.

CPA/UPA cable drum puller

A drum puller and reels of cable being strung for the Cooperative Power Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota/United Power Association, Elk River, Minnesota high-voltage power-line construction through Grant County, Minnesota, 1976–1978.

A crane helicopter lining up a power-line tower’s top portion with its base during construction of a high-voltage power line through Grant County, Minnesota, 1976-1978.

Crane helicopter above a power-line tower

A crane helicopter lining up a power-line tower’s top portion with its base during construction of a high-voltage power line through Grant County, Minnesota, 1976-1978.

Workers finish connecting the upper and lower portions of a high-voltage power-line tower in Grant County, Minnesota, 1976–1978.

Power line in Grant County

Workers finish connecting the upper and lower portions of a high-voltage power-line tower in Grant County, Minnesota, 1976–1978.

Peaceful March For Justice flyer, undated. The march was organized to protest the construction of power lines in rural Minnesota in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Used with the permission of Pope County Historical Society.

Peaceful March for Justice flyer

Peaceful March For Justice flyer, undated. The march was organized to protest the construction of power lines in rural Minnesota in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Used with the permission of Pope County Historical Society.

Power line over Minnesota farmland, undated. Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project (OH 25). Oral History Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.

Power line over Minnesota farmland

Power line over Minnesota farmland, undated. Minnesota Powerline Oral History Project (OH 25). Oral History Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.

Anti-power-line button made by Continental Press Inc. of St. Cloud, ca. 1975–1987.

Anti-power-line button

Anti-power-line button made by Continental Press Inc. of St. Cloud, ca. 1975–1987.

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