Tales of turn of the 19th century lumber barons and settlers in northern Minnesota

By WDIO
March 10, 2025 - 6:01 PM

Timber! is the sound that echoed throught the forest of northern Minnesota at the turn of the 19th century. Lumber barons set out harvesting white pine and opened up Minnesota’s Northwoods to settlement.

Throughout April, the Arrowhead Library System (ALS) will host ‘Timber! Tales of Lumberjacks, Settlers, and Lumber Barons in Northern Minnesota’ a history presentation by local author Susan Hawkinson.

This program, sponsored by Arrowhead Library System, was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF).

These free programs are being offered at the following locations:

  • Tuesday, April 1, 10 a.m. – Gilbert Public Library
  • Tuesday, April 1, 6 p.m. – Eveleth Public Library
  • Wednesday, April 2, 1 p.m. – Duluth Public Library
  • Wednesday, April 2, 6 p.m. – Mt. Royal Branch Library, Duluth
  • Friday, April 4, 10 a.m. – Mountain Iron Public Library
  • Friday, April 4, 1 p.m. – Buhl Public Library
  • Monday, April 7, 1 p.m. – Aurora Public Library
  • Monday, April 7, 3:30 p.m. – Hoyt Lakes Public Library
  • Tuesday, April 8, 3:30 p.m. – Calumet Public Library
  • Thursday, April 10, 1 p.m. – Moose Lake Public Library
  • Thursday, April 10, 6 p.m. – West Duluth Branch Library
  • Friday, April 11, 10 a.m. – Two Harbors Public Library
  • Friday, April 11, 3:30 p.m. – Grand Marais Public Library
  • Wednesday, April 16, 1 p.m. – Ely Public Library
  • Wednesday, April 16, 3:30 p.m. – Babbitt Public Library
  • Thursday, April 17, 1 p.m. – Coleraine Public Library
  • Thursday, April 17, 3:30 p.m. – Grand Rapids Area Library

Join Susan Hawkinson as she tells of the raucous and entertaining lumberjack and stories from settlers. She will also share tales of the Joyce lumber baron family from her co-authored book, Timber Connections: The Joyce Lumber Story, a past Minnesota Book Award finalist.

Susan Hawkinson’s presentation includes a chance for one attendee at each library event to win a copy of her book Timber Connections! This program is one hour long and is appropriate for high school students and adults.

To learn more about Arrowhead Legacy Events, please see our calendar at www.alslib.info or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alslibinfo.