Jay Cooke State Park and Duluth in Summer
As park of the activities for my Creative Individuals Grant I spent two nights camping at Jay Cooke State Park, and two nights in a condo in the Canal Park neighborhood in Duluth, MN. This is the third of three areas I’m researching for this grant project.
During this visit I spent time hiking and drawing along the St. Louis River. I visited Enger Park in Duluth. I walked along the shore and watched boats pass through the Canal Bridge. And I drew from the Breakwater Lighthouse on the Ship Canal.
Things I learned on this trip:
Jay Cooke State Park was formed in 1914 after the St. Louis Power Plant sold land to the State of Minnesota in 1905.
The park was largely untouched until Civilian Conservation Core was formed to create jobs during the depression. This group was responsible for building much of the parks recreational infrastructure including the beautiful swinging bridge that crosses over the St. Louis River.
The St. Louis River is the largest tributary that feeds into Lake Superior.
The Ojibwei name for the St. Louis River is Gichigami-ziibi (Great-lake River).
The Superior Hiking Trail passes through Enger Park in Duluth where there is a beautiful Japanese Garden and a peace bell. The Bell was gifted by the sister city of Duluth in Japan - Ohara Isumi.
The Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Outer Lighthouse was built in 1901 and is one of two lighthouses that mark the entrance to the Duluth Ship Canal.
