Some historical background:

Jay Cooke was a Pennsylvanian financier, financial backer of the Civil War’s Union party, railway man and lover of Duluth, Minnesota. He never had a home here, but he did get to Duluth via Lake Superior in 1868, traveling further up the St Louis River, where he recognized the power of the water and began scheming its uses for industry. After which, he promptly bought up loads of that land and proceeded with his schemes. He also had dreams of building a Pacific Railway from Carlton, Minnesota to the Pacific, hoping to make Duluth into the next Chicago.

His business plans began on the St Louis, and eventually turned into the Thomson Dam, which is still functioning today. Because the dam required much less land than Cooke had purchased, it was decided that all those precious, beautiful, wild, rugged acres would be donated to the state of Minnesota. Thank goodness! And sigh of relief!

However, in 1915, when that land was donated, there were $18,000 of back taxes due. Amazingly, a group of local business people got together, gathered the money and paid it off—notably, a Carlton man named Henry Oldenburg who had money and cared that the land would be conserved. Within the park, you can reach a spot named Oldenburg Point and had they not named the park after Jay Cooke, it would have been Henry’s namesake. And some people (me) think it should have been! :)

After all that, I am so very grateful that these 8,125 acres remain wild and protected and free. There are 50+ miles of hiking trails within, plus biking and skiing trails. All folks and critters are welcome to join the river, rocks, stands of trees, overlooks, watery rapids and these quiet Lady’s Slippers, whose great (times 155) grandmothers might have watched Jay Cooke taking in the sights of that breathtaking place.

This illustrated print is 11x14, which includes a half inch white border, signature and printed title. It is printed locally on a very nice 130# slightly textured paper.

You now have an option to receive this print framed in either white or black with no mat. Eric Mann at his frame shop, Frame Up, in Grand Rapids will personally frame it and safely mail it your way.

*This print was originally created for the Superior Hiking Trail Association a few years back. They received four original illustrations from me, each featuring the four Minnesota counties the magnificent Superior Hiking Trail runs through and each four seasons. This print shows a spring scene in Jay Cooke State Park, Carlton County with our state flower in her petaled glory.