Gordon-Wascott Historical Society

Purpose of Committee

 

Mission Statement:  To preserve and promote the rich history of Gordon and Wascott area, providing educational programming and opportunities to tour our historical facilities.

Information & Services

	The Whalen House Museum, built in 1907, and the 1911 Soo Line Railroad Depot, located in Gordon, are available for viewing from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Saturdays-Sundays from 10am-4pm.  Artifacts, historical items, and family histories are displayed.
	"Back the Road a Bit," A Gift Shop is located in the Railroad Depot with a number of items for sale, including historical books documenting family histories and photos, "Mr Gordon's Neighborhood," by Ron Seningen, tee-shirts, coffee mugs, and historical prints by Kate Perry.
	The Wascott Historical Park, located across the road from the historic Wascott Town Hall, is open the first weekend of June, July, and August - Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm-3pm or by appointment.  It consists of a one-room country schoolhouse built in 1896 and the old Wascott Community Church.

Briefly:

History of Gordon  

The earliest evidence of human activity at what is now Gordon was a campsite found during construction of a new lane on the Highway 53 Expressway. It dated back to the Paleo-Indian period of between 5,000 – 8,000 B.C. 

 

At the time of the first recorded European writings, a permanent Ojibwe village existed on the Upper St. Croix River near the Gordon Dam, then known as Namai-Kowagon (meaning “Sturgeon”.) It was led by Chief Kabemappa who served as chief of the entire Upper St. Croix and thus was the signer of many important treaties from 1825 to 1847.  His village was a frequent stopping place and wintering post for fur traders since it was located along an important travel route beteween Lake Superior and the Mississippi River watersheds. This trail would eventually lead to the development of the townsite we now know as Gordon. The town's main street, Moccasin Avenue, is a segment of that early route. In 1844, it became an official United States Postal route.

Antoine Gordon (1812-1907) and his wife, Sarah Dingley Gordon (1827 - 1911) first settled at this location in 1858. They were both Metis, being the children of American Fur Trade fathers and Ojibwe mothers. Here they  built a log trading post, store and home by the Eau Claire River along the Trail to La Pointe, at the Ojibwe/Metis village of Amick. The Amick Post Office was established here on September 12, 1860.  When the Omaha railroad came through in 1881 the station, and subsequently the town, were named “Gordon."

 

The coming of the railroad resulted in the demise of the old Trail to LaPointe, and the community reoriented itself towards the burgeoning lumber industry in Stillwater, MN that was about to boom in our Northwoods.  Gordon’s location was significant to the lumbermen as the log drives coming down from Lake St. Croix in one direction met the logs coming down from the Eau Claire Lakes, and these collected in what is now the Gordon Flowage.  After the lumber boom was over, the lands were sold off relatively cheaply to homesteaders who tried to make a go of agriculture, but eventually went bust due to the sandy soils and droughts of the 1930’s.   The towns of Gordon and Wascott then began to capitalize upon their beautiful lakes and woods, transforming themselves into the tourist and recreational destinations that we know today.

click here for "Story of Gordon"

History of Wascott  

Wascott was initially a part of Gordon until the Town of Wascott was established in 1910. As you explore present day Wascott, you will discover interesting remnants of its early years. In the Northwest area, there remains the copper mines once worked by the pioneer miners. Third and fourth generation forests will remind you of the once booming logging business here. Occasionally, in the woods you will discover the remains of an old logging camp or trading post - rusty pots and pans, a miniature flat iron or parts of old boots.

 

A visit to the Wascott Kreide Cemetery which was established over a century ago will reveal pioneer family names. If you look closely, you will find a Civil War veteran amongst the WW1 and WW2 veterans’ graves.

 

At the turn of the last century, Wascott was a stopping place for railroads. In fact, the town’s name is derived from a W.A Scott, an official of the Chicago/St.Paul/Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad.

 

Wascott’s Town Hall was constructed of cedar logs in 1942 as a WPA project. There is a massive stone fireplace inside. In recent years, a kitchen and large addition have been added to accommodate local events. Across the road is the Wascott Historical Park consisting of the Community Church which was built in 1914, and the Hoffman one-room country schoolhouse dating back to 1896.

 

Wascott’s 54 major lakes once attracted settlers establishing farms, trading posts, sleeping accommodations  and later, small businesses to serve tourists coming by train. Today, it has become a popular tourist destination for people wishing to enjoy the lakes, woods, ATV and snowmobile trails.

Douglas County   was created by an Act of Legislature on  February 8, 1854, and was named after United State Senator, Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois who was financially interested in  the new settlement.  The settlement, located at the mouth of  the Nemadji River, was known as Superior.  Douglas County,  fourth largest county in the State (land area), lies in the Northwest  corner of the Indian Head Country and the State.  Superior is the  county seat of government and the home of our Court House,  which is considered the finest Court House in the Northwest.  Today, there are forty-one supervisors on the County Board  representing twenty wards in the City of Superior, five incorporated villages and sixteen towns.

 

Centennial 1860-1960
Sesquicentennial was celebrated in 2019