CSAH #11
County State-Aid Highway #11 forms the southern part of the Scenic
Byway and includes downtown Pequot Lakes & Breezy Point, passes
the famous Breezy Point Resort gates and intersects with State Hwy
#371 on the west end & CSAH #3
on the east end.
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.
#11 - Mile 0.0
Paul Bunyan Trail and Pequot Lakes Information Center
Well known to bicyclists, joggers, inline skaters and snowmobilers,
the Paul Bunyan trail runs from Baxter to Walker and follows the
abandoned Burlington Northern railbed. This area in Pequot Lakes, where the Trail meets the Byway, is rich in history recalling ancient travelers, Native Americans, loggers, homesteaders, and tourists. A beautiful town square park area has been developed
along the trail making it a nice stop for resting,
picnicking, playing and photography.
Go inside the Information Center to find helpful guidebooks and maps for Breezy Point and Pequot Lakes- home of Paul Bunyan's fishing bobber. Look for the Byway interpretive panel located along the west side of the trail here. Read about this legendary history with the added wit and whimsy of Paul Bunyan!
#11 - Mile 0.1
Scandia North, drive-by view
Today you see a unique condominium structure which is an example of architects designing school buildings across the nation that were transformed with other uses during the past several decades. Originally
the Pequot Lakes School, this building was erected in 1914 with
additions coming along in 1920 and 1938. The building’s last year
as a school was 1964. On this same property, the first two story
frame schoolhouse stood from 1900-1914, until it was replaced with
the larger brick two story structure. See this building in the first
set of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway playing cards.
#11 - Mile 0.2
Old Church
Located across from Scandia North, the little church was originally
the German Lutheran Church, later the Pequot Lakes Baptist Church.
The cornerstone was laid in 1908 and the building completed that
same year. It's been many things over the years including a dance studio, a cabinet shop and a retail store. Today it's a spa. See this building on the first set of Paul
Bunyan Scenic Byway playing cards.
#11 - Mile 0.7
DNR Fire Tower
This is one of the few remaining useable fire towers in Minnesota. The
fire tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Towers. Near
the base of the tower is the foundation of the home where the forester
and his family lived at one time. A rest area with picnic tables has been developed
at this site making it a nice stop to
enjoy a picnic lunch before or after tackling a hearty climb up the tower. Bring your camera with you - the view is panoramic.
As you begin your walk along the trail to the tower, take a moment to read the Byway interpretive panel. Paul Bunyan shares how he came up with the idea for fire towers way back in the old loggin' days.
A few years ago a pet black bear
took a little jaunt over to the tower and made a lasting impression
on a DNR employee who was climbing up the tower! The bear had to
be coaxed down with her favorite food - marshmallows. See the tower
on the first set of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway playing cards.
Photo credits: L,Rod Nelson; R,Paul Stafford, Explore Minnesota Tourism
#11 - Mile 1.8
Rice Lake/Lowell Wildlife Mangement Area (WMA)
Rice Lake, one of the few remaining natural wildlife lakes in the
area, is home to a variety of fur bearers, watefowl, and reptiles.
The lake provides aquatic habitat for small fish species and is
ofter abundant with wild rice. An 85 acre tract of land adjacent
to the lake was donated to the DNR and is managed as a wildife management
area. The WMA is open to seasonal public hunting. There is a walking
path around part of the lake. An interpretive panel depicting the importance of shallow lakes, sponsored by the DNR, the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway and Ducks Unlimited, was installed near the lake in November 2007. The Eagle View Elementary School
overlooks the area which serves as a science curriculum reserve.
Look for the Byway site marker sign at the turnoff to Nickel Road. As you turn down Nickel Rd. look for the Byway interpretive panel on the west side of the road. Read Paul Bunyan's story of Rice Lake and how this area impacts our environment. You'll also learn how Paul & Babe used to harvest the wildrice which grows here.
#11 - Mile 1.8
Nickel Road (Rice Lake Road)
On the south side of CSAH 11 is the Rice Lake Road which is
no longer open to traffic. Travelers can park along the route, however,
and walk the Rice Lake Road. This entire area was homesteaded by
the Lunds who used to do woodworking and sell pine cone seeds to
the DNR for income.
#11 - Mile 2.1
Hunt Technologies
Paul Hunt developed the “turtle” mechanism that allows electric
meter reading from offsite locations. Tours of this office facility
are conducted by staff on request.
#11 - Mile 3.1
Ice Arena
The new ice arena is open year round and used for hockey and public
skating.
#11 - Mile 3.3
Cross Country Skiing
Across from Whispering Pines on Ranchette Drive, the Pelican Lake
Conservation Club constructed and maintains a system of cross country
ski trails.
#11 - Mile 4.7
Breezy Point Resort Gates
The impressive stone gates were built by a Pillager man named Peterson
between 1925 and 1930. Mr. Peterson also built the steps by the
Breezy Chapel. See the stone-arched entrance featured on the first and second series of Paul
Bunyan Scenic Byway playing cards.
#11 - Mile 4.7
Breezy Point Resort
Awash in history, travelers are encouraged to visit the main building
at the resort for fliers and other information. Once owned by Captain
Billy Fawcett, the resort hosted celebrities from all over. To make
their trip a little easier, Billy Fawcett had the road from Breezy
Point into Pequot Lakes blacktopped at his own expense. The Fawcett
House is a reminder of the colorful past. Today Breezy Point Resort offers
all the amenities of a top-notch conference facility.
#11 - Mile 4.9
Breezy Point City Hall
The property where City Hall sits was originally homesteaded in
1911 by Fred Sidell. His claim ran from CSAH 11 all the way
down to Pelican Lake. Today there's an attractive City Hall conveniently located just off the west side of CSAH 11.
#11 - Mile 4.9
Breezy Point City Park
The city park offers a playground, ball field and pavilion. The latest
addition of equipment was done in 2001. Stop at the Byway interpretive panel and enjoy Paul Bunyan's tale of how Breezy Point got its name.
#11 - Mile 5.4
Deacon's Lodge
Ranked on the top 10 new public courses in the nation by Golf Magazine,
2000, Deacon’s Lodge was designed by Arnold Palmer and named after
his father, Deacon. This 7,017 yard masterpiece was built on 400
acres of pristine northern Minnesota forest. Deacon’s Lodge is nestled
among three wilderness lakes predominately featuring rolling terrain,
lush wetlands, and “Pine Valley” style waste bunkering throughout.
#11 - Mile 5.4
Breezy Point Cemetery and Nature Walking Trails
Across CSAH 11 from Deacon’s Lodge entry sign is the newly developed
Breezy Point cemetery. A walking trail surrounds the property. The beautiful
landscape, designed by Master Gardeners, abounds with flowers and shrubs. The project was underwritten
by funds from the Pelican Conservation Club.
#11 - Mile 7.1
Schaffer Lake
Located on the south side of CSAH 11, this is actually a marshland
area with several floating bogs. It’s a haven for wildlife. Travelers
should keep the camera handy while going past this lake.
#11 - Mile 7.2
Chiarella Forest Management Area
This 77-acre tract on Timberland Road was donated by the Chiarella
family as a Forest Management Area and planted by the Department
of Natural Resources in 1992. From the hiking trails that run throughout
the property, visitors can see oak trees and young Norway pine,
planted in 1989. At the parking area, look for a Byway interpretive panel. Paul Bunyan tells the story of this wooded legacy left for us to enjoy and nurture. You'll also see a trail map posted there for a glimpse of the leisurely walk ahead.
#11 - Mile 7.6
Osprey Nest
Located on the north side of CSAH 11, the osprey nest is atop
a pole (which was erected and the nest transferred from the nearby
power pole). Osprey frequently nest on artificial platforms; several
are located along the Byway. The osprey, or fish hawk, resembles
the eagle but is distinctly smaller and slimmer with much white
beneath. The nest is similar to the eagle's with additions made
each year. The osprey feed almost entirely on fish, taking their
prey at or just below the surface.
#11 - Mile 8.1
Diversion Channel
In the early 1930’s, the W.P.A. dredged this channel between Ossawinamakee
(Ojibwe for ‘Long Lake’) and Pelican Lake. It was the “dust bowl”
years and Pelican Lake was drying up. The plan was to move the Ossie
water into Pelican. While this worked for a while, in time things
reversed, and now water is flowing from Pelican into Ossie. Pelican
Lake is still the largest natural lake (not part of a chain of lakes)
in Crow Wing County. The cattails currently seen in Pelican Lake
appeared after the 1930’s drought. This beautiful channel is the
subject of one of Crosslake artist, Tom Ottoson's Byway Oils.
#11 - Mile 9.2
Pelican Lake and Public Water Access
The public water access to Pelican Lake is one of the few remaining
undeveloped areas around Pelican Lake. The area is a designated
loon nesting area.
#11 - Mile 9.95
Pelican Lake Memorial Forest
Located SW of the intersection of CSAH 11 and 3 near Pelican Lake,
this 120 acre tract is one of many area land parcels bearing the
name Memorial Forest. Due to tree disease, this parcel recently
underwent a process called "jack pine shearing". It was replanted
with red pine in the spring of 2002.
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