Connie Cox, Lead Naturalist at Itasca State Park. is guest speaker at Historical Society’s annual meeting

Do you know that we have a real national gem at the south end of Clearwater County named Itasca State Park? Itasca State Park is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and everyone is invited to come to see this treasure.  There will be many events throughout the year to commemorate this anniversary. Your local newspaper will keep you updated about these special events.

Connie Cox, Lead Naturalist at Itasca State Park since 1995 and her husband Bruce Cox Land Commissioner for Clearwater County, were special guests of the annual meeting of the Clearwater County Historical Society. The special meeting was held at the Clearbrook Legion headquarters located in the old school on Sunday, January 29, 2017. 

Cox explained, " As you all know, Itasca State Park is the source of the Mississippi River. Established on April 20, 1891, it is the second oldest State Park in the United States. The first one in Minnesota was the Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis. Last year, we invited 230 fourth graders from the Bagley and Park Rapids Schools to help us celebrate. We served them cake and lemonade following our lecture. Jacob Brower is considered 'The Father of Itasca'. He was commissioned in 1889 to do a survey of the Itasca basin by the Minnesota Historical Society. He was appointed the first Park Commissioner from 1891-1895. Early photos from 1895 show cutting a road through the wilderness at Itasca. The park was established to protect the Mississippi headwaters and protect the surrounding forests  as an eco system was needed. A lot of the land was turned over to the government so there would be no settling of the land by immigrants or locals."

She continued, " Henry Schoolcraft was given credit for documenting the headwaters of the Mississippi in 1832...an Ojibway guide led him to it. Originally, Cass Lake was thought to be the Source of the Mississippi; however, the Indian guide and Schoolcraft proved where the true source was. Even though logging and the establishment of several Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps changed the look of Itasca from 1901- in the 1930's, they made a lot of improvements to the Mississippi source. The rocks where you can cross over the source were placed by the CCC and NOT by glaciers as originally thought. In the 1930's a sign was posted near the headwaters establishing its true source. At one time, Itasca State Park featured a zoo which included wild bison, elk, and moose. A golf course was located near Douglas Lodge, along with an airplane landing strip, besides its boat and bike rentals. In a brochure from the 1930's, there were many other activities featured, too, such as an Indian pow-wow and Indian pageants.  Lind Saddle Trail was a 13 mile long horse trail which Jacob Brower put into the route. Today there are additional trails for snowmobilers, four wheelers and bikers."

"The first State Park vehicle permit was issued in 1951 and cost $1. Itasca State Park was also advertised on Minnesota license plates after 1951. According to documents and pictures, the first official picnic celebrating Itasca State Park was held in Preachers' grove within the park in 1891. We're excited to see what the next hundred years brings. 2016 was a BIG year. Here's to the next 125 years! If you have never been to Itasca State Park, now is the time to see this treasure. Minnesota has 67 state parks, 9 recreational areas, 8 wayside rests, and 62 forest campgrounds all managed by the Minnesota Park Commissioner. Our state is a favorite destination of many visitors and vacation-bound families. We welcome your visits."

The annual meeting of the Clearwater County Historical Society was conducted by its Executive Director Tamara Edevold.  She reported that current membership is around 750 with a goal of 1,000 members. In 2016, the Clearwater County Historical Society at Shevlin hosted 4,000 visitors, catalogued over 15,000 artifacts and filed over 1600 photos. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Historical Society, just contact the museum at Shevlin between the hours of 10 and 3 on weekdays.

A delicious pot luck dessert lunch and coffee was served following the meeting.