Over 100 people returned to Schroeder for a Taconite Harbor reunion on Saturday, August 6. Lots of memories were shared and long ago residents enjoyed the heritage center exhibit Boom Town to Ghost Town: Taconite Harbor.
From the early 1950s to the late 1980s, the Schroeder Township was a busy place with hundreds of people working at the Taconite Harbor dock and power plant. Many of those workers lived in the little town of Taconite Harbor. When the mining industry declined in the ‘80s, families had to move and the homes were removed. The last family left Taconite Harbor in June of 1988. But for the people that lived, worked and played in the tiny mining town, the memories live on. Those relationships were celebrated at a gathering at the Cross River Heritage Center on Saturday, August 6.
Over 100 people attended the reunion. The oldest attendee, one of the first employees of the Taconite Harbor plant, was Fred Schmidt Sr., now 94 years old. Schmidt raised his family at Taconite Harbor, living in an 8-by-20 foot trailer until his home was constructed. He and his wife Kathy lived at the town site until Fred retired.
Becky Grage, a “Tac Harbor kid,” presented memories of Taconite Harbor and of her father, Neal Grage, also an early employee at the plant. She also remembered living in a tiny trailer until their home at the town site was finished.
Jean Peterson came all the way from Alaska to also entertain with stories.
Many attendees remembered those little trailers, such as Barb Savonen, who attended with her family. She and her husband Arne were newlyweds when they came to Taconite Harbor. Arne was one of the original workers during development of the plant. They raised their children and lived there until Arne retired.
Former Taconite Harbor residents from all over the country came to the reunion. Eva Etheridge and her family attended from Florida. Other folks came from Illinois, Colorado and more.
David Rannetsberger, the plant manager overseeing the closing of the Taconite Harbor Energy Center this year, gave a heartfelt speech about the history of the plant and its closure.
Everyone enjoyed the Schroeder Area Historical Society (SAHS) exhibit on Taconite Harbor at the Cross River Heritage Center. Of particular interest was a map of the town site and individual photos of the 24 homes.
SAHS representative Linda Lamb said, “Much time was spent identifying which family lived in which house.”
Birch Grove Community School and Community Center were also open for tours, which many alumni also enjoyed.
It appeared everyone enjoyed sharing memories and reconnecting with old friends and neighbors. One of the attendees, Janie Schmidt Wagner said, “Special thanks should go out to Linda Lamb and Barb Livdahl, who I understand got the whole thing organized.”
“It was so much fun. It was great to see everyone,” she said.
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