CSAH #1
Starting at the intersection with CSAH
#66 in Manhattan Beach, #1 forms the north side of the Scenic
Byway and runs past the intersection with CSAH
#15 and on into Pine River.
Click For Byway Map
Photos by Rod Nelson or JM Plein Consulting unless otherwise noted.
Click on the images to open a larger view window.
#1 - Mile 0.9
The Old Grade Road
During the late 1800’s, the Old Grade was a railroad track used
to move logs. Now the railbed serves as a minimum maintenance road
that loggers still use for hauling logs out of the many acres of
woods north of CSAH 1.
Look for the interpretive panel kiosk located on the south side of CSAH 1, and read how Ole the Blacksmith and Babe helped to cover 25 miles of railroad with just 1,000 feet of track.
#1 - Mile 1.1
Swanburg Cemetery
The cemetery was laid out in 1935 and is affiliated with Faith
Lutheran Church of Swanburg.
#1 - Mile 1.7
Faith Lutheran Church
Built in 1940, the church originally had its bell in the church
bell tower, but following a wild storm in 1963, the bell was knocked
off its mounting. It now hangs on a separate structure easily visible
from the road. During that same storm a tree fell through the roof
on Saturday night, but there were services on Sunday morning anyway,
despite the tree. See the bell as it's highlighted in the first
set of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Playing Cards.
#1 - Mile 1.8
Timothy Town Hall
Until 1947, the Town Hall was a one-room schoolhouse. Then and
now, the plumbing was an outdoor biffy. There are still several
residents in the area who attended school there. Travelers can easily
park and take pictures at this site, which is highlighted in the first set
of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Playing Cards.
Look for an interpretive panel kiosk located at the Ideal Fire Station #2 on the south side of CSAH 1 just a little further west of the Town Hall. There you can enter a parking area from Taray Road and read Paul Bunyan's story about 'Timothy'.
#1 - Mile 2.9
Camp Foley (side trip) Crow Wing County Road 134,
View Our Lady of the Snows Chapel. Listed on the National Register
of Historic Landmarks, the chapel was built by Henry Ruud, a local
man, who constructed the chapel entirely from local fieldstone.
The cornerstone was laid in 1935 and the chapel completed 4 years
later.
#1 - Mile 4.4
Lone Pine Posting Tree
This tree, struck by lightning, stands alone along the byway. Messages to travelers, news of the day, and movie bills for the old Marlow Theater in Pine River were posted on this tree. A
well known local landmark, it's been memoralized
in a beautiful original oil by Crosslake artist, Tom Ottoson. Prints
are available at local retail stores. Highlighted in the second
set of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Playing Cards.
#1 - Mile 6.6
Arrowhead Lake (side trip)
Located south of CSAH 1 , Arrowhead Lake is one of the fourteen
lakes of the Whitefish Chain. Once known as Mud Lake, speculation
abounds as to whether the name was changed because of the lake’s
shape or because arrowheads were discovered nearby.
#1 - Mile 8.5
Nuts and Bolts Metal Sculpture- Rambling Roads
At the northeast side of CSAH 1 and 15 is a metal sculpture of two
horses pulling an old covered wagon. This art was a birthday gift
to the state veterinarian (who lives here) from his wife. The wagon
was created in 1991 and used in the Itasca wagon train trip from
the steps of the capitol in St. Paul to Itasca State Park. The sculpture
was crafted by a Pine River metal sculpture. Native, Adkins. The present owners are
well-known in the area for their horse drawn hay rides. Previously
a dairy farm, the farm became a ranch in 1950. It has been owned
by the same family for generations. Travelers are welcome to stop
in and take a look.
#1 - Mile 8.6
Glacial Boulder Field
On the north side, we see a Glacial Boulder Field, evidence of
an ice age retreat across Minnesota. Bunyan lore refers to these
as Paul's pebbles used in his slingshot as a boy. It's also said he played marble games with these big boulders, tossing some almost to the Iowa border during a particularly hearty game.
#1 - Mile 9.1
Wildlife Marsh
This low marshy area is the home for a variety of wildlife. Stop
for a minute right after a rain or during spring run-off, you will see
a small creek meandering towards the small lake. With a slow look
you may see waterfowl, deer, rabbits or even a fox.
#1 - Mile 9.8
Outhouse?
Look carefully in the clearing on the north side, looks like an
outhouse to me.
#1 - Mile 10
Meadowland
Another area of habitat for local wildlife, a meadowland. Again
take a minute to search for wildflowers, birds and animals that
may be in the area.
#1 - Mile 11.7
Cloverdale School
Cloverdale School
#1 - Mile 12
Arvig Creek
You may also
notice Arvig Creek flowing under the road, and then down the stream
a bit it joins the Pine River. The creek is named after the family that brought telephone service to the area back in the 1940's. Stop at this small brook and see the beaver sign and on the south
side an old tree that many woodpeckers have visited.
#1 - Mile 12.2
Shamp's Family Cemetery
Shamp is a name well known in the Pine River area, currently Shamp's
Meat Market is a favorite stopping place for both locals and visitors.
Well on the south side, you will see the Shamp's Family Cemetery
where generations rest.
#1 - Mile 12.5
Orth's Mercantile
On the north side, you will see a white building with a different
style front giving away its retail origin as Orth's Mercantile formerly
known as Dicky's Electric Shop established circa 1950.
Surprisingly, the remaining white building in this storied corner, known once upon a time as Entertainment Junction, began not as a night club, but as Orth's Mercantile, for whom the corner is named. It has housed many different businesses since those days. Now repainted, it's again taking on a new life. Today it sits quietly in retirement.
#1 - Mile 12.5
Old Highway 371
The County 44 corner, from here to Pine River used to be State Highway 371, the main artery to town. During the 1920s and 30s, Paul Bunyan's loggers and just about everybody else in the countryside, flocked to this entertainment intersection which sported two night clubs!
#1 - Mile 12.8
Little Red Caboose
NCIA Inc. uses the "Little Red Caboose" as their office. Read more about it on the second deck of Byway playing cards.
#1 - Mile 13.1
Pine River Airport
On the north side, you see the Pine River Airport, in recent years
there has been a lot of growth and use with even a small jet landing
once in a while.
#1 - Mile 13.4
City Limits
Pine River City Limits are marked with a sign.
#1 - Mile 13.5
Community Softball Fields
Stop by to watch a game during the season. Bring the whole family!
#1 - Mile 13.9
Dabill Sawmill
The Dabill Sawmill, making log siding, very popular for the rustic
look in housing in the area.
#1 - Mile 14.3
Norway Brook Dam and Interpretive panel
Quite a lot of history has been made in the area around the dam.
Explorers, such as Zebulon Pike, once camped on the shores in the area of the dam. Thousands of board feet of native white and Norway pine were floated down this river. Look to the northwest and see a hand painted mural of an early 1900
era setting on a garage here. The Norway Brook Dam previously was
the source of hydroelectric power for the area. A swimming
dock is on the north side and this is one of the focus points for
the Pine River Summerfest events, which include the famous Pine River Duck Races.
Look for the Interpretive panel (turn left onto Barclay Ave., Pine River's main street) and read Paul Bunyan's tale of the Giant Ducks. It'll quack you up!
#1 - Mile 14.8
Old Railroad Depot and Pine River Information Center
The new main City of Pine River intersection is Barclay Ave and HWY 371. Look
across to the left, see the Old Railroad Depot established 1800s
and in the process of being saved and moved by a local group. Straight
ahead you'll see a beautiful log building which is the official State of Minnesota Office of Tourism Affiliate Information Center and also the birthplace of the Paul Bunyan Trail. Stop in and enjoy memorabilia from the logging era and learn about all the fun activities you can enjoy year round in beautiful Pine River! Visitor information always available, just call 1-800-728-6926.
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