Situated on the western shores of Lake Superior, the city of Two Harbors, Minnesota is the county seat of Lake County. This is a guide to Two Harbors.
Originally, Two Harbors was two separate settlements, Burlington and Agate Bay.
The townsite of Burlington at Burlington Bay was platted in 1856 and was incorporated as a village in 1857. There was a post office in Burlington between 1856 and 1862.
Agate Bay was named for pebbles of agate found in the sand and gravel there. It was platted in 1885, although its post office, established in 1883, was known as Two Harbors, as it served both Agate Bay and Burlington. The village of Agate Bay began as a construction camp for workers on the Duluth & Iron Bridge Railroad.
When the Minnesota Iron Company began operations in Tower, a railroad was needed to haul iron ore from the Vermillion Range to Lake Superior, where it could be shipped across the Great Lakes. The clay bottom at Agate Bay was ideal for dock development.
In the early years, Two Harbors was primitive, by most standards. Most people lived in log homes without floors. Other than whatever vegetables they could grow, or animals that they could catch in the area, there wasn't much to eat, as the forests were too dense to support game animals. Most of the land surrounding Agate Bay was owned by the railroad, with the exception of about four acres, known as Whiskey Row, which was leased to merchants operating crude saloons, restaurants, shops, warehouses, and hotels.
By 1890, workers had sent for their families, and civilization came to Two Harbors. Whiskey Row was closed, and its buildings moved inland, where they were put to other uses. Besides the ships picking up loads of iron ore, passenger boat traffic increased. Dropping passengers off at points along the Great Lakes provided extra income for shipping companies and boat owners, and this continued until the 1940s when the availability of automobiles increased.
The Two Harbors Cigar Factory was opened in 1900 by John H. Kallin, and Ed Sorenson built the Sorenson Cigar Factory in 1907, although neither are in operation today. Two Harbors Bottling Works began in 1912, producing several brands of pop. It remained in business for several years. The 3M Company (originally Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company) was founded in Two Harbors by five local men in 1902, although the company no longer has any operations in Two Harbors.
Minnesota State Highway 61, then known as Highway 1, was built in the 1920s, and currently serves as the main route through the city.
The 1960s marked a downturn for Two Harbors. United Steel closed its iron ore mining operations in Tower, devastating the shipping industry in Two Harbors, and leading to four decades of decreasing populations. By diversifying its economy, the loss was controlled, however, and the total loss was held to around a thousand.
The abandoned railroad buildings were used to house Universal Fiberglass in 1964, producing three-wheel mailsters for the US Postal Service, as well as automobile fenders and other products. A fire closed its operations, however. Still in business, Granite Gear began producing heavy-duty backpacks for the military and outdoor recreation in 1986.
In 1900, the population of Two Harbors was 3,278, its peak population was 4.695 in 1960, and its population in 2010 was 3,745.
Two Harbors is about twenty miles northeast of Duluth. It is bordered by Lake Superior to the east and southeast, by Silver Creek Township to the north and east, and by Lake Number 2 Unorganized Township to the south, west, and north. The unincorporated communities of Waldo, Larsmont, Stewart, Silver Creek, and Knife River are nearby.
Two Harbors Central High School opened in 1902, teaching arithmetic, grammar, and American history. Latin and music were introduced the following year, and science and sewing were added in 1906. Other manual trainings and domestic services were added to the curriculum in 1908. Today, Lake Superior School District (ISD #381) is headquartered in Two Harbors and serves the communities of Two Harbors and Silver Bay, to the northeast.
Although the city's importance as a shipping port has diminished, the North Shore Scenic Railroad operates a six-hour excursion train that begins in Duluth and has a two-hour stop in Two Harbors. Historic locomotives, ore cars, and a caboose are on display near the Duluth and Iron Range depot.
In the spring and fall, visitors to Two Harbors can also tour the Edna G, a tug boat that was based in Two Harbors for its entire career, except for a brief time moving warships on the East Coast during World War I. The last coal-fired, steam-powered tugboat in operation on the Great Lakes is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city also hosts the county fair and other events.
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Anderson’s Greenhouse & Florist
Family owned and operated, the florist has been in business since 1956. With year-round greenhouses, the company is able to grow its own poinsettias and many other flowers and plants. Directions to the shop in Two Harbors, Minnesota are given, and its location is shown on a map. The hours of operation are stated, along with the areas served, payment options, and a catalog of products, which may be purchased online for local delivery.
https://www.andersonsgreenhouseth.com/
Situated on 7th Street near the Lake Superior waterfront, in Two Harbors, Minnesota, Castle Danger Brewery produces several unique beers, offering its own tap lines as well as a statewide distribution of its product. The history and a profile of the business are set forth, and the location, hours of operation, and a list of beers on tap are featured, including private rentals, its community outreach programs, and an online shopping area featuring promotional apparel and other items.
https://www.castledangerbrewery.com/
City of Two Harbors, Minnesota
The official municipal website of the county seat of Lake County introduces city officials and departments, administrative numbers and office hours, city council agendas, notices, and minutes, as well as access to various city documents and reports. Tax information and the process to initiate local options are included, along with a city calendar, project reports, news, and announcements.
http://www.twoharborsmn.gov/
Based in Two Harbors, Minnesota CLP is a cooperative electric company offering electric and broadband Internet services to an area of Minnesota that is defined on a map. Board members and administrative contacts are published to the site, and its principles, bylaws, and operational policies are set forth. Membership information is given, and power outages are reported. Payments may be made online.
http://www.clpower.com/
In business since 2005, the pizza restaurant is located on Waterfront Drive in the city of Two Harbors, Minnesota. Directions and a map shows its location, and the days and hours of operation are posted, along with an email address, and telephone contacts. A history and profile of the business are published, along with its menu, special offers, dine-in, take-out, and delivery policies and area.
http://donorthpizza.com/
Founded in Two Harbors by people who were native to the city, Granite Gear produces a variety of bags, from stuff sacks to ultralight packs, ultra-durable packs, backpacks, canoe gear, duffel bags, pouches, and accessories. A catalog of products is featured online, with specifications, descriptions, and prices. Purchases may be made online. A history and profile of the company are included, and a list of retailers is included.
https://www.granitegear.com/
Based in Two Harbors, Minnesota, Lake Connections serves a large part of Lake County and portions of Easter Saint Louis County, offering high-speed Internet services, digital television, and telephone services. Business Internet, TV, and voice connections are put forth, along with its home bundles or individual services, prices, and contacts. Customers may access their account information online, pay bills, or request servicing.
https://www.lakeconnections.com/
Headquartered in Two Harbors, Minnesota, the main station of LCAS is in Two Harbors, with a substation in Silver Bay, with at least one ambulance staffed at both locations at all times, offering an Advanced Life Support level of service. Its services, CPR classes, and EMT and EMR classes are discussed, and its staffing, employment opportunities, administrative contacts, and office hours are displayed.
http://www.lcasmn.com/
Lake County Historical Society
Organized in 1925 and based in Two Harbors, the Historical Society is charged with preserving the history of Lake County, Minnesota, largely through the preservation, study, and interpretation of historical artifacts, documents, photographs, and historic sites, and through the management of the Depot Museum, Lighthouse Museum and Gift Shop, 3M Birthplace Museum, and historic locomotives. A history of the county and calendar of events are presented.
https://www.lakecountyhistoricalsociety.org/
The Lake County Rescue Squad was organized to assist the Lake County Sheriff’s Department in fulfilling its duties in reference to the search and rescue of lost or missing persons, and to water emergencies, and others. Its history, mission, and roles are put forth, and its equipment, K-9 teams, and its skills and capabilities are discussed. The needs of the squad are highlighted, and contributions may be made.
http://www.co.lake.mn.us/departments/sheriff/rescue_squad.php
Operating Minnehaha Elementary School (K-5) and Two Harbors High School (6-12) in Two Harbors, as well as William Kelley School (K-12) in Silver Bay, Independent School District #381 is headquartered in Two Harbors. District office contacts and hours are posted, along with employment opportunities, enrollment forms, policies, a student handbook, lunch menus, and reports. Testing calendars and announcements are included.
https://www.isd381.k12.mn.us/
Specializing in the sale of new Ford, Chrysler, Ram, Dodge, Buick, Chevrolet, and Jeep vehicles, the Two Harbors, Minnesota dealership also carries a selection of pre-owned cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Its inventory of new and used vehicles may be viewed here, with photographs, descriptions, and asking prices. The dealership’s location, hours of operation, and services are discussed.
https://www.sonju.com/
Specializing in the sale, rental, and servicing of bicycles, the Two Harbors, Minnesota bike shop carries several brands of bicycles, including Salsa, Surly, Advocate Cycles, Norco, BMC, Otso, and Civia, as well as bicycle components and accessories, apparel, and outdoor gear. Its location is shown on a map, and a description and schedule of biking classes and other events, rental and repair services, and contacts are posted.
https://www.spokengear.com/
KTWH FM is a 100-watt station serving a 3.5 to 10-mile radius, as well as streaming online via its website. Its mission and purpose are stated, and a coverage map is displayed. Its programming includes intergenerational conversations, music, environmental issues, local voices, and field recordings. A program guide, volunteer opportunities, and information on making one-time or monthly donations are put forth.
http://ktwh.org/
Formed for the purpose of providing recreational and competitive opportunities in the sport of curling at the local, regional, national, and international levels, the club promotes the sport within the Two Harbors, Minnesota community, hosts competitions, encourages and assists with the introduction of curling into public school programs, fosters the development of curling skills in youth, and provides training and skill development services.
http://twoharborscurling.com/
Two Harbors Federal Credit Union
THFCU was founded in 1948, as a model financial cooperative, as an alternative to commercial banks, in which people pooled their money for borrowing, and which would provide a safe place for members to save their money. Its history, membership policies, and leadership are set forth. Its home banking services are described, as well as its lending programs, checking and savings deposit programs, mortgages, and contacts.
http://www.thfcu.org/
Founded as a Carnegie Library in 1896, the Two Harbors Public Library features books and several other resources, including bike locks, board, and card games, early literacy kits, and educational resources, as well as a local and regional art section. Its site offers access to its catalog, eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, magazines, and informational databases. Membership and sponsorships are included.
http://www.twoharborspubliclibrary.com/
