History Speaks
History Speaks is an exploration and presentation of aspects of our regions past. Through shared stories with familiar voices, we delve into our regions rich history to help foster an appreciation and understanding of the community in which we find ourselves today. This series utilizes archival tape, documents and first-hand interviews to help paint a picture of events, places, and people important in our areas past.
Arts, cultural and history features on WTIP are made possible in part by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Check out other programs and features funded in part with support from the Heritage Fund.
What's On:
History Speaks: Recollections of Leng’s Fountain
Barbara Jean Johnson-Leng’s Fountain was a cornerstone of the community for many years. It was a true old fashioned soda fountain. You could order phosphates, ice-cream or stop in for coffee and a paper.
History Speaks: Rails, Mines, Madams, and Crooks
Barbara Jean Johnson-Did you know there was a rail line from Thunder Bay that traveled across the country’s border and went to a mine near the end of the Gunflint Trail? Listen as WTIP uncovers the story “Rails, Mines, Madams, and Crooks” as part of our ongoing History Speaks series. It’s a real life tale full of intrigue, mystery and wonder. Learn about the famous Madam Mag Matthews and her house of ill-repute located near Gunflint Lake, the Italian laborers that endured many hardships to build the rail line, and the crooked businessmen who secured funding for the project in some questionable ways. We’ll also take a look at the new Centennial Trail that was completed by the USFS this summer that helps preserve this important story.
The Blowdown: A Ten Year Remembrance
-The famous storm known as “the blowdown,” swept across northern Minnesota on the Fourth of July, 1999. Straight-line winds blew with category four hurricane force through 477,000 acres of the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. In this special remembrance, you’ll hear the voices of folks who weathered the storm that marks our landscape to this day.
Voices from Mineral Center
-Voices from Mineral Center tells part of the story of an early pioneer settler village in Cook County known as Mineral Center. The story focuses on the community’s one room schoolhouse, the Birchwood School, as remembered by its last teacher, the late Gertrude Linnell, and one of her students, Nona Smith.
