Croftville explicated

 

You can learn much about our neighboring Croftville from a drive down County Road 87 and some internet searching.

Wikipedia tells us “Croftville is an unincorporated community in Cook County, Minnesota, United States. The community is located three miles northeast of the city of Grand Marais on Minnesota Highway 61. Highway 61 and County Road 87 are two of the [only] main routes in the community.” It has gorgeous shoreline which several resorts and Vrbo’s advertise for their mostly May to September occupancies.

You can learn that Croftville grew from 480 to 775 people from 1970 to 2010, 1,365 housing units, and the same chart says it 395.4 square miles? We will have to check a map. It sits at Latitude 47.7655° or 47° 45’ 55.8” north, Longitude -90.2761° or 90° 16’ 34” west, and at an elevation of 627 feet (or 191 meters).

From several sources you can learn that the community was settled first by Peter Olsen and brothers Charles and Joe Croft, from whom the community got its name. One source says they were herring chokers and first arrived there in about 1894. Wiki says it thrived in the early 1900’s. Area residents tell me that a few Croft folk still own places there and that there was a big reunion this year.

One thing you won’t find there anymore are the Flower Power Gardens which my bride tells me was special but closed last year during the Pandemic and closed for good this year. She tells me it was the center of Croftville life for its five-generation life. Its Facebook page says, “We have proudly been serving the Cook Country area for over 50 years. We bring in a wide selection of flowers from some of the best in the business.” A June, 2020 Facebook announcement said, “It is with deep contemplation that we have come to the conclusion to forgo plant sales at Flower Power gardens for the summer of 2020, planning to return in 2021. With retail requirements due to the virus changing and with the cost of personal health at risk we have concluded it “safer” to hold off on this summer’s plant sales and pick it up again next summer. We want to thank the community for the continued support and welcome people to enjoy our sculptures and “Rock Table” throughout the summer. Please help us with recommendations for improvements as we take this summer to make some much needed repairs as well. Please keep us in mind and we will keep you in our prayers as we look forward to seeing everyone healthy and hopeful in 2021. Gay and Jeanne Hiebert”

The Flower Power Facebook page has many pictures of flowers to die for. And they had wooden sculptures and a rock shop featuring “…our selection of amethyst and other mesmerizing rocks.”

The principal [now only] business of Croftville is tourism. There are 15 VRBO’s and several resorts in Croftville itself, all of which sound appealing. Note: if you search Croftville resorts, you will get many in the area but not in Croftville. Here in alphabetical order are the ones I am sure are in Croftville per se:

Anderson’s North Shore Resort, andersonscabins.com, 1390 Croftville Rd, Grand Marais, MN 55604, (218) 387-1814. Its website says, “Open year-round, Anderson’s Resort is an ideal destination for your summer lakeside getaway, fall hunting excursion, or warm retreat after snowy adventures. We offer a quiet, peaceful respite here in the northwoods in our cozy and impeccably clean housekeeping cabins.” Eight cabins ranging from efficiencies to 2 Bedroom plus.

Croftville Road Cottages, 1558 Croftville Road, PO Box 1211, Grand Marais, Minnesota 55604, 218-387-1790, 866-387-1790 (toll-free). Their website says, “Nestled on 540-ft of rocky shoreline, Croftville Road Cottages is owned and operated by the Chmelik family. The inviting and romantic cottages are impeccably clean and meticulously maintained.” Three original cottages and five cottage suites.

Elsie’s Lakeview Cabins, www.elsiescabins.com, Est. 1931, 1461 Croftville Rd, Grand Marais, MN 55604, (714) 833-9846. “On the home webpage Elsie says,” be sure you don’t screw up the cabins after I’m gone.” It shows pictures of cabins 7, 8, 9, and 10. No mention of 1-6. Elsie also says, “I hope your visit at the cabins create as many wonderful memories in your lives as they have in mine.”

Larsen’s Lakeview Cabins, 1423 County Road 87, Grand Marais, MN 55604, P.O. Box 441, 1-218-387-2710. From the website: “Our cabins are seasonal and are available from May – October. Every cabin has a full view of the lake and are completely furnished and have kitchens, showers, and microwaves. Lawrence Larsen built the Lakeview Cabins. He was a commercial fisherman for many years. His fish house and winch house still stand today.” Cabins sleep from 4-6 people.

Opel’s Lakeside Cabins, website directs you to Cascade Rentals. Four cabins sleeping from 4-6 people. Home page link says, “Each charming cabin has a unique layout as well as access to a common cobblestone beach on Lake Superior that is great for agate hunting, launching a kayak or relaxing.”

You can see all of these on a drive or walk on County Road 87. Even if you never stay there, it is a scenic place, more than a mile long. And you can probably learn much more interesting Croftville history at the Cook County Historical Museum.

Steve Aldrich is a retired Hennepin County lawyer, mediator, and Judge, serving from 1997-2010. He and his wife moved here in 2016. He likes to remember that he was a Minnesota Super Lawyer before being elected to the bench. Now he is among the most vulnerable to viruses but fully vaccinated. Steve really enjoys doing weddings, the one thing a retired judge can do without appointment by the Chief Justice. He officiated at a well-masked wedding this year where the “congregation” was in Grand Marais, Norway, and White Bear Lake.

Copyright Stephen C. Aldrich and News-Herald, 2021.