The Lake County Historical Society selected this image of the Agate Bay shoreline from their collection in MDL:

Agate Bay shoreline, Two Harbors, 1900-1907

This is a panoramic photograph looking back at the shoreline of Agate Bay. This shows the development of the town of Two Harbors which was incorporated February 26th, 1907. The new depot, in the extreme right of the image, was constructed in 1907 for the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad. The Two Harbors Depot stands today, relatively unchanged, at 520 South Avenue and is home to the administrative offices of Lake County Historical Society and Depot Museum.

This photograph focuses on the business development along First Avenue where it intersects Poplar and Pine streets. We are looking at the backside of the businesses which have painted advertising for those coming into town. On the right side of the image you have the new Duluth & Iron Range Depot finished in December, 1907 and the base of the passenger and merchandise docks. Note the archway framing Poplar road down to the docks to guide traffic through the rail yard.

This is the view that most visitors would see as they made their way into town. Prior to the construction of Highway 1 in the 1920s, visitors arrived by train or steamship. Construction of the business district began in earnest in the 1890s and when the town of Agate Bay was officially incorporated as the City of Two Harbors on February 26th, 1907. The historic business district formed along first avenue as goods and services arrived by train and boat to the merchandise docks at Agate Bay. This photograph illustrates the early growth of Agate Bay into the town of Two Harbors.

This image shows how quickly the landscape around Agate Bay has changed since the establishment of the ore docks in Agate Bay in 1884. This includes the construction of several public buildings in 1907 with the transition of Agate Bay into the village of Two Harbors. The new depot in the foreground is still home to the Lake County Historical Society and remains relatively unchanged as do the roads leading down to the waterfront. The Courthouse, Salvation Army Building, and Depot are three landmarks in this image that also remain relatively unchanged.

The Lake County Historical Society was organized in November 1925 to collect, preserve, and share stories of Lake County, Minnesota. The Society operates the Two Harbors Lighthouse, Depot Museum, and 3M Birthplace Museum. Photographic collections include industries of shipping, logging, fishing, railroading, and tourism in the region.

Browse the Lake County Historical Society collection in MDL.

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