Local artists and volunteers create first class sign for Lutsen

 

Though they had been coming as early as the 1800s, by the 1850s, Chippewa families settled into the area near the mouth of the Poplar River. In the 1880s, the first Swedish immigrant also settled there as well. They worked together, sharing tools and knowledge, and gave birth to the humble beginnings that we know today as Lutsen.

The town of Lutsen was officially established on June 12, 1984. Lutsen continues to grow and, since 2004, has been moving toward developing a town center. One big step in that direction is letting people know when they’re actually in Lutsen. They wanted to alert newcomers and former visitors alike that they’re approaching the town. Slow down. Take it easy. Need to stretch your legs, grab some fuel, maybe a good cup of coffee? Consider Lutsen.

They wanted a sign. But signs cost real money. More than you might think. If an outside group came in, the sign would cost about $25K. That seemed steep so Lutsen got creative. They lined up local residents, businesses, and artists willing to pitch in. Also, Lutsen applied and were approved for the IRRRB Downtown Streetscape grant. Suddenly the project was possible for about a third of the original estimate.

So, the next question was: Where do you put the sign? Private landowners were unwilling. MnDOT has right of way and wasn’t willing to give an inch. Luckily, Arrowhead Electric had some land across from their building that was unbuildable for their needs but perfect for a sign. Thankfully, the Lutsen Cemetery Group gave permission to clear the area near the highway so the sign would always be visible.

Now they just had to build it.

First the big trees were cut. Then the brush. Next someone had to clear it all. The berm was complete in the fall of 2020. Lumber was donated, carved, and painted. The sign was crafted. The metal work was fired up. And finally, there was installation and landscaping.

“This was truly a community endeavor,” cheers Sharon Hexum-Platzer. Sharon wrote the grant but is quick to give the credit to others, “Peter Hall, Isak Hansen, Dave Woerheide, Greg Mueller, Matt Kartes, and McMillan Tree Service donated countless hours of labor and material to help celebrate Lutsen.”

The sign is both similar in style to the others along the North Shore (think Two Harbors, Grand Marais, etc.), but also has some unique characteristics specific to Lutsen. The lumber is carved and painted a red-brown in the tradition of the area’s most famous architect, Lunde. The sawtooth mountains are perched above.

In the end, one hundred and-fifty plus years after the area was first settled, the story of the Lutsen sign is about the many people that came together and chipped in to create a symbol announcing their existence to the world. Now, and for decades to come (we hope), we will see a sign that invites those of us approaching from the South to slow down and celebrate Lutsen.