 The above photo appears in the souvenir booklets for Eveleth’s 75th and 100th anniversaries; the caption was: “Remains of the D. M.& N. Railroad station after it was blown up in the spring of 1902. Dr. C. W. More noted, ‘Robbers attempted to blow up the safe in the station and this is the result. The men were seen to run, as reported to me by my friend, J. H. Hearding.'” April 16, 1902, was an eventful night for the newly incorporated city of Eveleth. It is supposed that a prisoner, M. J. Balm, set fire to his cell causing the jail to burn to the ground, costing him his life. A few hours later, unknown robbers tried to blow up the safe at the Duluth, Missabe, & Northern railroad station, but they used too much nitroglycerin—the sizeable blast rocked the community at 4 o’clock in the morning. For the second time in two years, nearly all windows in the city were blown out (the powder magazine at the Spruce Mine exploded on October 8, 1900). The front page of the April 18, 1902, Virginia Enterprise reported it like this: Burned in the Jail. M. J. Balm, of Duluth, the Victim of Fire in the Eveleth Lock-Up. MISSABE DEPOT BLOWN UP. The new city of Eveleth comes to the fore this week as a news furnisher, the place being torn by two startling events Monday night, the city jail being destroyed by fire early in the evening, and the D. M. & N. depot was wrecked and blown to atoms by an overcharge of nitroglycerine [sic.] in an attempt to rob the safe. The fire which burned the jail is of mysterious origin. The building was a two story frame structure and but one prisoner was confined in it at the time, and it is supposed that he set fire to his cell. Despite the efforts of the fire department the building burned so quickly that it was impossible to reach the prisoner, and his charred remains were picked from the debris later. His features were burned to a crisp and it was with difficulty his identity discovered. The officer who placed him under arrest said that he was a Finlander from the Fayal, and it was finally found that he was M. J. Balm, a miner. He was a married man, his wife and family residing in Duluth. The destruction of the Missabe depot was doubtless the work of burglars. Pieces of the top of the safe found some distance from the wrecked depot show that two holes had been bored in the top, and it is supposed put such an overcharge of nitro in that the building was practically reduced to splinters. The depot is in the vale near the Spruce office, and the explosion was terrific, windows being broken by the concussion for blocks away. Fire started in the wreckage, but the department was quickly on the scene and the flames extinguished. It is said there was considerable money in the safe at the time, and a considerable amount of coin and paper was picked up on property adjoining the wreck the following day. No clue to the probable perpetrators has been found. Following the explosion, the Duluth, Missabe, & Northern depot was rebuilt on the same site: the northwest corner of Monroe Street and Carrie Avenue. D. M. & N. tracks once ended at what is now the southern part of Monroe Park. The larger rail yard of the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad and its depot were south of Fayal Road between Lincoln and Grant Avenues. In 1923, a new union depot opened that served both railroads, which merged to form the Duluth, Missabe, & Iron Range Railroad in 1938.
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 (Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office, Volume 243) GETS PATENT ON LUBRICATOR ————-- W. J. Byron, Locomotive Engineer, Perfects System For Use On Engines W. J. Byron, a locomotive engineer for the Oliver Iron Mining company in the Adams district, has patented a locomotive lubricating system. The invention was perfected and tried out by Mr. Byron and he has now obtained his patent. The lubricator can be attached to any locomotive. It is operated by air and is designed to provide thorough lubrication without waste of oil.
Mr. Byron has had many offers for his patent but has refused to dispose of any rights in it yet and may decide to manufacture it. --Eveleth News July 26, 1917  Mines like the Adams, Spruce, Fayal, and Leonidas contributed greatly to America's military during both world wars. Minnesota To Furnish Iron Six of Every Ten Shells Used By Allies Made From Minnesota Iron Remarkable Record Last Season Duluth, Dec. 12.—Six out of every ten shells hurled against the Huns on all battle fronts will be made from iron ore mined in northeastern Minnesota, the most remarkable shipping season for which closed today with the departure of the last ore boat for the lower lake ports. Held back at least two months by the ice in Lake Superior and cut short two weeks by the beginning of winter, the patriotic miners of Northeastern Minnesota have bent all their efforts to getting out iron ore and the shipping season shows that the 1917 totals will fall less than a million tons below the record breaking 1916 shipments. The totals this year are 15,360,760.
"Two thirds of the iron ore mined in the world has come out of Minnesota this year and more than two thirds of that used by the allies. The mining men of this section are particularly proud of their record this year by reason of the fact that despite the industrial unrest in every section, leading to strikes and disturbances in practically every mining region of the country. Minnesota has been singularly free from any such agitation. One attempt was made by the I.W.W. to incite a strike and the workmen returned immediately to work without shutting down the mine in which the disturbance occurred for a single hour. Thirty-six hours was the longest any such disturbance lasted on the Mesaba range. In addition, this section of Minnesota oversubscribed both liberty loans, the last by one hundred per cent, sent almost double its quota of volunteers to the army and navy, more than double the number of Red Cross memberships allotted to it and contributed one hundred per cent over its Y.M.C.A. quota, as well as considerably over subscribing to the amount of the Red Cross quota allotted to it.Duluth, Dec. 12.—Six out of every ten shells hurled against the Huns on all battle fronts will be made from iron ore mined in northeastern Minnesota, the most remarkable shipping season for which closed today with the departure of the last ore boat for the lower lake ports. Held back at least two months by the ice in Lake Superior and cut short two weeks by the beginning of winter, the patriotic miners of Northeastern Minnesota have bent all their efforts to getting out iron ore and the shipping season shows that the 1917 totals will fall less than a million tons below the record breaking 1916 shipments. The totals this year are 15,360,760. Two thirds of the iron ore mined in the world has come out of Minnesota this year and more than two thirds of that used by the allies. The mining men of this section are particularly proud of their record this year by reason of the fact that despite the industrial unrest in every section, leading to strikes and disturbances in practically every mining region of the country. Minnesota has been singularly free from any such agitation. One attempt was made by the I.W.W. to incite a strike and the workmen returned immediately to work without shutting down the mine in which the disturbance occurred for a single hour. Thirty-six hours was the longest any such disturbance lasted on the Mesaba range. In addition, this section of Minnesota oversubscribed both liberty loans, the last by one hundred per cent, sent almost double its quota of volunteers to the army and navy, more than double the number of Red Cross memberships allotted to it and contributed one hundred per cent over its Y.M.C.A. quota, as well as considerably over subscribing to the amount of the Red Cross quota allotted to it. --Eveleth Clarion, December 12, 1917  In 1899, the Minnesota Iron Company built a hospital for its employees at the Fayal, Genoa, and Auburn Mines. It was located on the corner of Fayal Road and Fayal Avenue. The superintendent of the Fayal at this time G. W. Wallace, and Dr. H. E. Harwood was the company doctor. Dr. Frederick Barret assisted at the hospital. The newly built hospital was very modern for its day. It had a spacious reception room and office, modern operating and drug rooms, and a basement with a kitchen, dining room, and nurses quarters.
The first floor had a ward for men and a ward for women. The second floor had apartments for the steward and the assisting physician. The building later became the Fayal Apartments. On Sunday, September 6, 1964, the building, which had been empty for several years, was burned. The rest of the former Fabiola Hospital was torn down and in 1967 was divided into lots and sold. The first home to be built there was for the William Bonach family. Sources: History of Eveleth, Minnesota by Margaret More and the souvenir booklet for Eveleth's 75th Anniverary  From the souvenir booklet for Eveleth's Diamond Jubilee Eveleth News November 28, 1912: In the immensity of its productions, the beauty of its design and the magnificence and appropriateness of its furnishings, the new Eveleth Auditorium surpasses the expectations of even the most imaginative people. Such was the unanimous expressions of the immense crowd that congregated at the new building Friday night in response to the invitation of the City Council announcing the formal opening. The auditorium seats about 1,000 people. Every seat was occupied and almost as many people stood in the aisles and corridors while the program was begun and carried out. The Auditorium The history of the Eveleth Auditorium rightly commences in April 1908, when a militia company was organized. The city Council guaranteed the state that they would provide a suitable building for the company. The Vail Hall on Grant Avenue has been rented for that purpose up to the present time at a rental of $720 per year. In the year 1911 the State Legislature passed a law appropriating $10,000 toward the erection of an armory to any city or town that would furnish a suitable site and guarantee $1,000 for the support of the militia. The city Council decided to take advantage of the new law and purchased the lot upon which this building now stands at a price of $3,400. The deed was presented to the state, together with an order for $1000.00. But it was later learned that the state could not accept the deed owing to the mineral reservation. The Council decided the city was in need of an Armory and a public hall where public meetings and gatherings could be held, and decided to build the same without the aid of the state. Plans were called for and the one of Architect Anthony Puck of Duluth, was selected as the one nearest meeting the requirements of the city. Bids for the erection of the building were opened on April 3, 1912, and one of A. Roberts & Sons for the amount of $22,450 was accepted. The front part of the building has been arranged to provide accommodations for the militia boys as well as those who attend gatherings of any nature. On the first floor at the left of the entrance is the ladies room, conveniently furnished, also ticket office and check room. At the right of the entrance is a large smoking and lounging room, also the quartermaster’s room. On the second floor three offices have been provided for the officers of the company and a large company room all thoroughly furnished. A modern kitchen with all necessary furnishing opens onto the balcony which affords sufficient room for serving refreshments.  (Minnesota Historical Society) The auditorium floor is 63 x 71 feet. A five foot corridor extends along the right side of the building which acts as a light court and convenient exit in case of fire. There are also several other fire exits. The stage is equipped with five dressing rooms for ladies, two for gentlemen, all furnished, heated, lighted, and with hot and cold water. In the basement provision has been made for lockers and sufficient steel lockers have been purchased to care for all the equipment of the militia. Wash rooms and shower bath rooms are also provided for the boys in the basement as well as sufficient storeroom for their supplies. The public may be interested in the detail and figures connected with the building which are as follows: General Contract—$22,455 Lots — $3,400 Heating Contract — $2.669 Plumbing Contract — $1,518 Electrical Work and Fixtures — $2,503 Scenery — $675 Chairs — $1,174.40 Furnishings — $1,737.36 Lockers — $421 Total — $36,652.76 The Council has endeavored to the best of their ability to carry out as near as possible the wishes of the majority of the public and while they realize that it is impossible to please all in every respect, they hope that their efforts will meet with the commendation of the citizens of this community. Both structures are still serving the City of Eveleth. The Eveleth Fire Hall houses a volunteer fire department and a paid-on-call ambulance service. The Eveleth Auditorium is in the process of renovation and restoration. For more history and photos of the Auditorium, click here.
Reckless driving can be costly. But when you take into account that the average speed of a vehicle in 1917 was 10-15 miles per hour, one wonders how much damage could actually occur. Adjusting the fine to today’s costs this fine would be $1012.12 for the first offense, $2024.24 for the second. This was a significant increase in fines by Judge William Moylan from just one year earlier when the first speeder in Eveleth, Louis Rich, was warned that he would be serving time at the work farm without paying any fine for a second offense. Driver Gets Heavy Fine Matt Lake Assessed $100 for Second Appearance on Charge of Reckless Driving "A second offence for reckless driving enriched the city treasury just one hundred dollars when Matt Lake was brought before Judge Moylan last Thursday. Lake was arrested some time ago and the judge at that time assessed a fine of $50 and revoked his license to drive. "After two weeks the judge permitted Lake to take charge of the car again with the result that he was again brought up before the court. For the second offence the fine was doubled and the license was again revoked." --Eveleth News September 20, 1917  An important thing to remember when considering these hefty fines is the cost of the car itself. A new Ford Model T Touring Car cost $360 in 1917, making the fines equal to almost half the price of a new car!
Did you know that at one time the City of Eveleth had a zoo? By today’s standards it may not have been much to look at, but a pair of bears were added to the Eveleth City Zoo, located at the Ely Lake Park, in 1917 because the Army would not allow our soldiers from Company F of the Minnesota National Guard to bring them to camp as the soldiers were being prepared to head overseas to do their part during World War I.  Company F in front of the Eveleth Auditorium on Jackson Street. Their bear cub mascot is visible at left center. Photo courtesy of Ken Moylan. "Mascots Were Left Behind"
Eveleth News, 1917 Company F of this city and Company M of Hibbing were forced to leave their mascots, a regimental order forbidding the transportation of any animals as mascots. The orders included all dogs and other animals. The bears presented to the company by Judge William Moylan were turned back to the judge and have been placed at the Ely Lake Park, where they add considerable interest to the city zoo which up to this time had consisted only of a herd of deer.  Today, September 16, 2015, is the 20th anniversary of the dedication of “The Big Stick”. On that Saturday in 1995, the hockey world’s attention was focused on the City of Eveleth. Henry Boucha, James Claypool, and Ken Morrow were in Eveleth, along with an abundance of hockey dignitaries and fans, for the twenty-second U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies. Along with the parade of hockey greats were local residents who took an idea and made it a reality. Louis Muhich had the “seed of an idea” during a meeting where the Eveleth Merchant’s Association was pondering the question “What does it take to encourage visitors to turn off the highway and come into Eveleth?” Among the ideas shared was the concept “What is more iconic of Hockeytown U.S.A. than a giant hockey puck?” After researching the idea and finding that in order to qualify for the record books the puck would have to be manufactured in the same way that a genuine hockey puck is created that idea was scrapped. In its place was birthed the idea of creating an giant, authentic hockey stick. And the rest, as they say, is history. Bill, Roger, and Gordy Christian, with the help of Bill’s and Roger’s grandsons, created the original “Big Stick” using the same process that made Christian Brothers Hockey Sticks the premier hockey stick for hockey players around the world. Built of white and yellow aspen, the 107 foot stick had a finished weight of 7,000 pounds. Markings on the stick were exactly as they would be on any hockey players stick, right down to the Christian Brothers logo. The then-vacant property at the corner of Grant Avenue and Monroe Street was selected as the location for the free-standing stick with an accompanying hockey puck. Although not qualifying for the record books, this built-to-scale hockey puck is 5 feet by 20 inches and weighs in a 700 pounds.  Artist Dave Meyer created the “Hockey’s Home” mural depicting a goalie and a defenseman from the mighty onslaught. At the time Jerry Pfremmer, on the board of directors for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, owned the Unusual Place. Located just opposite of the hockey plaza it offered the perfect canvas for this 30 foot high by 80 foot wide hockey mural.  Dedication day started with a Pancake Breakfast at the Elks Clubrooms, followed by the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Enshrinement Parade down Grant Avenue. The Dedication Ceremony with its unveiling of the ”The Big Stick” took over the downtown until it was time to move to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame for the actual enshrinement ceremony and banquet. That evening Billy D. & the Crystals and the Eveleth All Stars provided music for the dance held at the Eveleth Hippodrome. Festivities continued on Sunday afternoon by returning to the Hippodrome for a flea market. Also that afternoon at the baseball fields behind the Eveleth IGA was the Rumble on the Range Softball game. The weekend was capped off with a Barbeque at the Stick. At times there have been discussions about moving the Big Stick up by the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, especially when it needed replacing due to structural issues caused by weathering and mine blast vibration. Happily it stays in its home in downtown Eveleth, surrounded by Eveleth hockey history. During the summer of 2014 the City of Eveleth unveiled a new backdrop to compliment the Big Stick. Having the appearance of a tall hockey dasher, the walls of a hockey rink, the mural depicts the people and teams that made Eveleth hockey great through the ages. Over the years arguments have flown back and forth between Eveleth and Canada as to who has the largest “Big Stick”. If we were discussing sheer size, then the vote would go to the 205-foot, Douglas fir reinforced with steel stick attached to the exterior of the Cowichan Community Centre, in Duncan on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. However, anyone from Eveleth can tell you that we are home to the largest free-standing, built-to-scale, authentic hockey stick.
 The old A&W Root Beer Stand in Eveleth was opened in 1950 by Gordy and Marilyn Lundquist. Ten years later they opened Gordy’s Hi-Hat in Cloquet.
The root beer was brewed onsite and was served in those iconic frosted mugs by car-hops. Hand-patted hamburgers were made fresh and one of Eveleth’s local bakeries supplied uncut buns. A hamburger, french fries, and shake only cost 57 cents. |
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All images belong to the Eveleth Heritage Society unless otherwise noted.
Please do not reproduce, print, or use any photos in any context without written permission.
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