Glensheen Historic West Trail System

Glensheen Historic West Trail System
Strategic Plan
Northern Bedrock
Historic Preservation
Corps
Building a Foundation for Life
Glensheen, the Historic Glensheen Estate
Page 2
Glensheen Director Dan Hartman stands at one of
Chester Congdon’s favorite spots, the east bank of
Tischer Creek, just under the mansion’s open West
Porch. Congdon had his own private access here, a
granite staircase – still visible - leads down the bank
from the house. Congdon could leave the formality of
his mansion and enter a charmed wilderness simply by
descending a stair case.
Hartman says restoration of this Historic West Trail
system is key to maintaining the integrity of the
landscape plan for the estate. Its circulation system of
trails, designed by landscape architect Charles Leavitt,
originate at the house and extend north along the
Tischer Creek through Congdon Park to Vermillion
Road. The landscape plan, with its stone stairs, wooden
bridges, rustic retaining walls, structured vistas and
extensive plantings could be seen as the wild heart of
the estate.
“Today the Glensheen estate is mostly famous today for the mansion,”
says Hartman. “But most oral histories from the family indicate that
Chester preferred the grounds, particularly Tischer Creek and its trails.
He was also known to enjoy relaxing in the water of Tischer Creek.”
- Dan Hartman
On the cover: Bridge 2 across Tischer Creek, circa 1908
Page 3
Glensheen Historic West Trail System
Strategic Plan for Rehabilitation & Restoration
Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps
Building a Foundation for Life
in partnership with
Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate
with funding through a Minnesota Historical Society
Heritage Partnership Program Grant
Strategic Plan produced by:
Pete Bonk, Operations Director
Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps
With assistance from Northern Bedrock staff:
Rolf Hagberg, Executive Director
Kristi Johnson, Researcher, Writer
Aaron Kloss, Graphic Designer
June 2015
All photos provided by Northern Bedrock Historic
Preservation Corps or
Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate
Acknowledgements:
The completion of this strategic plan would not have been
possible without the assistance from the following individuals
and organizations.
Dan Hartman, Director - Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate
Chuck Campbell, Property Services Specialist, City of Duluth
Tony Kroska, Bismarck Map Company
Patrica Maus, UMD Archivist and Special Collections Curator,
Kathryn A. Martin Library, the Northeast Minnesota Historical Center
Collections. Bill Oswald, Consolidated Title, Duluth, MN
Table of Contents
I. Purpose
6
II. Overview
6
III. Trail Maps - historic and current 9
IV. Current Condition of Trail, Associated Features,
Recommendations for Rebuilding Trail and
Estimated Costs :
a. Phase I – Lake Outlook to Tunnel under London Road
14
b. Phase II – London Road to Greysolon Road
28
c. Phase III – Greysolon Road to Superior Street
46
V. Prioritized Work Plan 50
VI. Current Landownership
50
VII. Appendices
A.
B.
C.
D.
54
55
56
62
Overview
Page 6
I. Purpose
This strategic plan was developed to guide the process of
rehabilitating the wild and rustic Historic West Trail System
completed in 1908 at the Glensheen Estate. The four main
portions of the plan:
a. Assess the current trail conditions
b. Prioritize trail segments and features to be rehabilitated
and restored
c. Identify technical expertise needed for implementation
d. Formally define land ownership of the trail system
between London Road and Superior Street with the City of
Duluth and St. Louis County.
II. Overview
The Glensheen Estate, listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, is a museum property owned by the
University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). The Jacobean Revival
mansion was designed by Minnesota architect Clarence
Johnson, while the vast grounds were commissioned to
New York landscape architect Charles Leavitt. Built between
1905 and 1908, Glensheen was the Chester Congdon family
home for nearly 70 years. It was donated to the University of
Minnesota in 1979 and opened as a historic house museum
with the entire collection intact. The Glensheen mansion
has 39 rooms and is the focal point of tours, educational
programs and special events. (1)
The 7.6-acre estate (current size) was designed with an
extensive trail system, which traverses the grounds east and
west of the mansion along two creeks that create the natural
borders of the property. This Strategic Plan will concentrate
on the deteriorated Historic West Trail System following
Tischer Creek. The plan is divided into three sections: Phase I
is located on the present Glensheen property, from the Lake
Outlook site to the tunnel under London Road; Phase II runs
from London Road to Greysolon Road; Phase III runs from
Greysolon Road to Superior Street.
A wild and rustic trail
The Historic West Trail System was constructed as a naturalsurface, rustic footpath. It winds through pine forest,
provides a breathtaking lake vista, and descends down and
along the rushing waters of Tischer Creek. Constructed as
a fairly narrow (20-24-in. wide) hiking trail following rolling
topography, it was enhanced by a series of built features.
These included a Lake Overlook pavilion, granite-slab and
river-boulder steps, stone and concrete retaining walls,
rough-dressed basalt stone bridges, rustic wooden bridges,
and large, square stepping stones that direct the hiker
View of Glensheen boathouse from Lake Overlook
across the creek. The architect’s vision was of a beautiful,
well-appointed hiking trail rambling through a managed
wilderness.
This vision did not occur in isolation. It belongs to an
American landscape esthetic first set in print in 1842 by
Andrew Jackson Downing (1815-1852) in his influential
Cottages Residences, or a Series of Designs for Rural Cottages
and Cottage Villas and their Gardens and Grounds. In this
Overview
Page 7
book, Downing could be describing Leavitt’s work on Tischer
Creek 65 years later:
The place, like a great many in this country of its character,
we will suppose to possess a richly wooded hanging bank
on its river side. This will afford us a fine opportunity to
create a most agreeable series of walks. These walks may be
conducted in easy directions, through the wood and along
the bank, occasionally intersecting each other . . . . They will
be full of variety, now leading to a point where a lovely view
suddenly bursts upon us, and again plunging into a secluded
portion, where the dense foliage of evergreens shuts out
all other objects, and gives a quiet and secluded character
to the scene. Rustic seats placed here and there in the most
inviting spots will both heighten the charm and enable us to
enjoy at leisure the quiet beauty around . . . . few weeds grow
in the shade of the large forest trees, and the character of the
place renders it unnecessary that the walks should have a
very trim and neat appearance. (2)
The American country place era
The wild hiking trail just west of the mansion, and the
manicured gardens immediately surrounding it, may
seem at opposite poles, but these opposites held in place
the landscape vision of the “American country place era”
(1890-1930). (3) In this era, during which designers catered
to wealthy industrialists like Congdon, the counterpoint
between formal and wild was central. The home and
immediate grounds were formal. The walkways and paths
were cement or brick. Slightly further away they became
gravel walks cut into turf, then further still, at Tischer Creek,
they transformed into a “wild path” along the stony banks
and through the woods.
Captains of industry like Congdon, spent fortunes on
acquiring such “picturesque” land in the country, but it wasn’t
all driven by a desire to show off. Congdon wanted to protect
areas along Tischer Creek and Lake Superior, saving them for
future generations. He purchased land along Tischer Creek
to the UMD campus, continuing Leavitt’s hardscape design
of bridges, stairs and walkways from the creek’s mouth, past
London Road, up to through Superior Street (where he also
had his apple orchards) and then north of Superior Street. At
Superior Street he deeded the land to the north to the City.
(4) Today, Congdon Park remains one of the premier parks in
Duluth. (5)
A working creek
Tischer Creek supplied Congdon with more than rugged
beauty. Charles Leavitt was also a skilled engineer. His
technical expertise allowed Congdon to harness the creek to
provide water for the estate. Approximately one block below
Superior Street, the creek was sent through a series of filters,
dams and settling tanks into a large storage cistern, which
can still be seen today. Gravity carried the filtered water
down to the estate through a special pipeline. Creek water
was used for gardens, lawns, greenhouses and fountains. It
powered a pump in the house, provided heat, hot water and
ran a humidifier. While Hartman notes that he would one day
like this elegant water system restored, it is beyond the scope
of this project, and thus will not be addressed.
Historic loss
Today, intact estates from the American country place era
are becoming increasingly rare; and sadly, it is the wild
counterpoint to the managed garden that is most in danger
of disappearing. Without the restoration of the deteriorated
Historic West Trail System, Glensheen’s historic landscape is
unbalanced. It is the aim of this strategic plan to provide the
critical detail necessary for the trail restoration following the
guidelines put forward by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior for
Overview
Page 8
historic structures and landscapes.
It is important to note that since the Historic West Trail
System was envisioned and constructed as a wild and
rustic footpath, this plan calls for restoring the trail and its
features following the original design. Northern Bedrock
has researched whether restoration of the trail would need
to encompass ADA guidelines, which would be virtually
impossible to meet. It was determined it would not be
necessary, under three provisions of the standard (from the
publication Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation
and Trails: Applying the Forest Service Trails Accessibility
Guidelines):
Condition for an Exception 1. Where compliance with the
technical requirement is not practicable due to terrain.
Condition for an Exception 2. Where compliance with
the technical requirements would fundamentally alter the
function or purpose of the facility or the setting.
Condition for an Exception 4. Where compliance is
precluded because the cultural, historic, or significant natural
features are protected or are eligible for protection under
Federal, State, or local law by:
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.)
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.)
Other Federal, State, or local law (the purpose of which
is to preserve threatened or endangered species; the
environment; or archaeological, cultural, historical, or other
significant natural features)
Northern Bedrock has, however, made recommendations
for handrails where they are determined to be necessary for
hiker safety. Northern Bedrock recommends that Glensheen
complete the application for exception to the ADA
requirement, a copy of which is included, Appendix A.
Phase 1
Page 9
III. Current Condition of Trail
and Associated Features, Recommendations for
Rebuilding Trail, Estimated Costs and Prioritization
The Historic West Trail
System at the Congdon
Estate has been divided
into three phases and 16
sections. Phase I is on the
present Glensheen property,
from the Lake Outlook to the
tunnel under London Road
(Figure 1)
TRAIL ACCESS ON THE
ESTATE GROUNDS
The Historic West Trail
System at Glensheen is
drawn in detail in landscape
architect Charles Leavitt’s
1908 landscape map, or
“Record Plan” (Figure 1 and
2). As designed, the trail
system had three access
points from the Glensheen
grounds (Figure 1).
Access Point A: The main
access to the Historic West
Trail system from the more
formal grounds is over a
stone bridge crossing Tischer
Creek, just south and west of
the main house.
Access Point B: The second
access follows a granite slab
stairway hugging the east
bank of the creek next to the
house. This was likely Chester
Congdon’s private route to
Tischer Creek and its trails.
Figure 1 - Leavitt’s Record Plan, Phase I, circa 1908
Access Point C: The third
access, off the entrance drive,
also provided a viewing
area of the creek. The large
formal stairway of brick and
concrete led down to a rustic
path and stone steps where
visitors could cross the creek
over the top of the stone
tunnel.
Phase 2
Page 10
historic trail map
Phase II is from
London Road to
Greysolon Road
(Figure 2).
Figure 2 - Leavitt’s Record Plan, Phase II, circa 1908
historic trail map
Phase 3
Page 11
Phase III is from
Greysolon Road to
Superior Street
(Figure 3).
Figure 3 - Groundskeeper map, circa 2000
Phase 1
Page 12
Current trail location and waypoints
The current trail system
and relevant features
have also been mapped
and included for your
reference
(Figures 4 and 5).
Figure 4
Current trail location and waypoints
Figure 5
Phase 2 and 3
Page 13
Phase 1 - Section 1
Page 14
Phase 1
Section 1. Lake Outlook
The Lake Outlook– waypoint 1 (Figure 6) – originally
contained a concrete and stone platform set over a rock
outcropping that provided a breathtaking lake vista. Only
small portions of the original platform are present (Figure
7). The original design of the structure that sat atop
this platform is unknown, though it could be assumed to be
“rustic” pavilion in design, using local stone, concrete mixed
on site, and wood elements. Photographs or drawings are as
yet undiscovered.
The Lake Outlook would need to be completely rebuilt to
the original design from 1908. The remnants of the original
structure should be retained, repaired, and reused as much
as possible. Additional materials such as stone needed for
rebuilding the Lake Outlook will need to be
collected on-site or brought in from a local outside source.
Other materials needed will include mortar and will be based
on final design. Additional analysis, research, design and
planning will need to be conducted to determine actual or
possible designs for the Lake Outlook structure.
Figure 7 – Remnants of the original concrete footings for the
Lake Overlook
Figure 6 - The Lake Outlook area, which once held a rustic viewing structure.
Phase 1 - Section 2
Page 15
Section 1
Timeline estimate:
6.0 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $2,000-$10,000
Labor - $35,000
Design - $4,000-$15,000
Total - $41,000-60,000
Priority Level: 5
Timeline estimates are figured in crew/
weeks. One crew is comprised of 4 corpsmembers and one crew leader. Additionally a “Technical Specialist” would work
with the crew based on the nature of the
work. Crew cost includes lodging, food,
tools, transportation, supervision and any
technical specialties needed. Design costs
are estimates for using outside design
firms and are not part of the crew cost.
Figure 9 - Rock retaining wall and slumping trail
Section 2. Trail between Lake Outlook and Stone
Bridge
Overall, this portion of the
trail is visible and usable by
individuals who are able to
move on uneven ground.
Currently, a majority of the
trail is 10-16-in. wide and
slumping along the hillside
is present. Moving away
from the shoreline and up
the trail, there are several
features to note:
• Rock staircase with minimal damage and alignment issues (Figure 8)
• Rock retaining wall
slumping down the
hillside - waypoint 2-3
(Figure 9)
Figure 8 - Stairs leading to Lake Outlook
structure.
Phase 1 - Section 2
Page 16
• Steep section of trail with considerable erosion and slumping
- waypoint 4-5 (Figure 10 and 11)
Rehabilitating this section of trail would include realigning
the trail to its historic line and rebuilding the trail to have a full
bench and realigning the stone staircase. Rebuilding will be
done to improve sustainability, drainage and general usability.
This work would include, at points, creating a back slope and
widening the tread to 20-24-in., which has been determined
to likely have been the original width. The sections of rock
retaining wall will be rebuilt to limit the trail from slumping
down the hill. The section of trail at the northwest end of the
stone bridge that leads towards the lake would need to either
be re-graded or have a small set of stairs constructed in a
“Rock Riser Stairway” design method (Figure 12), but would be
differentiated from the old and will compatible with historic
materials, features, size, scale and proportion and massing
to protect the integrity of the property and its environment.
The proposed stair design would have been in keeping with
the design used in other sections of the trail with similar
topography. The risers in this design would use stone collected
from the site.
Below: Figure 11 - Steep eroded trail section at west end of Stone Bridge
Figure 10 - Trail slumping along west bank.
Phase 1 - Section 3
Page 17
Section 2
Timeline estimate:
3.0 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $0
Labor - $21,000
Design - $0
Total - $21,000
uneven ground, while other portions are severely damaged
and unsafe to use. A majority of the trail is quite narrow,
approximately 10-16-in. wide. Moving from the northwest
end of the stone bridge to the northwest, there are several
features to note:
• Two sections of undesignated trail – waypoint 6 - leading
towards the adjacent property weren’t part of the original
design (Figures 13 and 14).
Priority Level: 1
Section 3. Stone Bridge to London Road
(west side of Tischer Creek)
Overall, this portion of the trail is quite visible. Portions of
the trail are usable by individuals who are able to move on
Figure 12 - Rock Riser Stairway Design
Figure 13 - Undesignated trail leading to adjacent cemetery
Figure 14 – Undesignated trails leading to adjacent cemetery
Phase 1 - Section 3
Page 18
Figure 16 - Flood area along creek south of London Road
Stone steps on the west bank of Tischer Creek lead down to the island
– waypoint 7 (Figure 15). This section of the trail drops approximately
16 ft. and was built originally using a “Rock Riser Stairway” design.
Between 15 and 20 steps would have been included in the original
design. The steps are currently not easily traversed; a majority of the
steps are either missing or not in their original positions.
The section of trail leading from the bottom of the steps - waypoint 18
- towards the tunnel under London Road (Figure 16) along the west
side of the creek is in a seasonal flood area and isn’t currently visible.
Due to the location of the trail, annual flooding could be expected
and the trail may have been less permanent in design.
The section of trail along the west side of the creek (Figure 17 and 18)
just south of the tunnel is missing along the west wall. This portion
of the trail is only partially visible in one archival photo (Figure 19),
but appears on Leavitt’s detailed record plan for the estate grounds
(Figure 1). A portion of the trails existence and evidence (Figure 20
and 21) of the trail to the southeast of the suggested trail location
does indicate a trail was present at one time.
Figure 15 - Damaged rock riser stairway leading to “Island”
Phase 1 - Section 3
Page 19
Figure 17 - Missing portion of trail, south of London Road tunnel
Rehabilitating this section of trail would include
several smaller projects. The tread of the trail
along the west side of Tischer Creek, just north of
the stone bridge, would be widened to 20-24-in.,
the original width. The sections of undesignated
trail, which weren’t part of the original design,
would be decommissioned. Obstructions would
be placed at each end and the trail would be
hidden so trail users wouldn’t be able to access it
any longer.
Figure 18 - Missing trail tread, view from top of London
Road tunnel
Figure 19 - Original trail tread, circa 1908
Phase 1 - Section 4
Page 20
The stone “Rock Riser Stairway” would be rebuilt using
original treads currently on-site and new stone from the
site. The new stairway would be 20-24-in. wide which was
determined to likely be the original width based on the
measurement of remaining stair treads. The retaining stones
would also be removed and reset to aid in keeping the
newly-placed steps from slumping down the hillside.
The original design of this portion of the trail is unknown
and would require additional analysis, research, design and
planning to be conducted to determine actual or possible
designs.
Section 3
Timeline estimate:
3.0 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $1,000
Labor - $21,000
Design - $2,000-$5,000
Total - $24,000-$27,000
Section 4. Stone Bridge to London Road
(east side of Tischer Creek)
Overall, this portion of the trail is quite visible. A majority
of the trail is usable by individuals who are able to move
on uneven ground. A majority of the trail is either flat or
located on relatively flat or rolling ground with the tread
approximately 20-24-in. wide. Moving from the northwest
end of the bridge to the northwest, there are several features
to note:
• Staircase made of granite stone blocks (approx. 15”x9”x32”
– waypoint 9 (Figure 22) - Built using an “Overlapping Rock”
design (Figure 23). The first eight steps appear to be in good
condition and are flat and solid. Further down the staircase
– waypoint 10 (Figure 24) - the stair treads are either missing
or out of their original position. As originally designed, there
are no handrails present along either side of the stairway.
Priority Level: 2
At left:
Figure 20 - Trail cut into bedrock
Below:
Figure 21- Remnant of concrete used to attach stone
step along trail
Phase 1 - Section 4
Page 21
Figure 22 - Formal stone staircase leading from house on east bank
Figure 23 - Overlapping Rock Stair Design
• Trail at the bottom of
the stairs towards the
northwest isn’t visible,
most likely due to
recent construction
work (2013-15)
(Figure 25).
Figure 25 - Missing trail along Tischer Creek
Figure 24 - Missing Stair Treads
Phase 1 - Section 4
Page 22
• Stone steps leading down from the trail to the creek –
waypoint 11 (Figure 26) – are all considerably damaged.
The steps are no longer in their original positions.
While some steps are present, other steps towards the
bottom of the staircase appear to be missing. The stairs
were originally design using an “Overlapping Rock”
design combined with the use of mortar. The mortar
used appears to have been made on-site based on the
presence of river gravel similar to that found in the
Tischer Creek today. As in the original design, there are
no handrails present along either side of the stairway.
• From the trail access for the top of the stone steps
leading to the creek, the trail continues to the northwest
and then curves back to the northeast, connecting with
a recently rebuilt set of stairs – waypoint 12 (Figure 27)
that lead to the estates entrance drive. This trail is not
visible due to recent construction work (2013-2015).
Figure 27 - Missing trail and new (2014) staircase leading
to entrance drive
Figure 26 - Damaged staircase leading to creek near London Road from entrance drive access point
Phase 1 - Section 4
Page 23
• Stone staircase on the northeast side along
the top of the tunnel under London Road –
waypoint 13 (Figure 28). Stairs are no longer
in their original positions. The stairs were
originally design using an “Overlapping Rock”
design combined with the use of mortar. The
mortar used appears to have been made onsite during construction. There are no handrails
present along either side of the stairway per
original design.
The lower portion of the staircase along the
southwest side of the house will be rebuilt using
the current stair treads that are available onsite.
Treads that are missing will be replaced with
new treads of the same material and reset; these
treads and any other necessary stone will most
likely need to be purchased.
The section of trail to the northwest of the
stairs leading all the way to the recently rebuilt
stairs at the entrance estate drive will be
rebuilt. Rebuilding will be done to improve
sustainability, drainage, visibility and general
usability. This work would include, at points,
installing guide rocks as seen in several of the
historic photos in this report, water diverting
elements and widening the tread to 20-24-in.
The stone steps leading down to the creek
will need to be completely rebuilt. Work will
involve removing all the current steps in
order to fix the foundation under the steps.
Once the foundation is repaired, the current
stair treads will be replaced as close to their
original position as possible and using the
same “Overlapping Rock” design originally used
during construction. The missing stair treads
will be replaced with treads of similar size and
shape and material, and will lead down to
Tischer Creek. The individual stairs will be set in
place using a similar mortar/cement used in the
original construction. Due to the steep nature of
the entire staircase and long drop to the south
of the staircase, installing handrails along the
south side of the staircase is recommended.
The handrails should be installed adjacent to the
rehabilitated steps and not destroy the historic
materials currently in place. The design and
construction of the railings should not imitate
historic handrails used elsewhere in the trail, as
that would portray a false sense of the original
design.
Figure 28 - Stone staircase leads from entrance drive path over London
Road tunnel
Phase 1 - Section 5
Page 24
Figure 29 - Island shows missing retaining wall
The stone steps on the northeast side along the top of the
tunnel under London Road will need to be to be completely
rebuilt. Work will involve removing all the current steps
in order to fix the foundation under the steps. Once the
foundation is repaired, the current stair treads will be
replaced as close to their original position as possible and
using the same “Overlapping Rock” construction. Due to
the steep nature of the entire staircase and long drop to the
south of the staircase, installing handrails along the south
side of the staircase is recommended.
Section 4
Timeline estimate:
6.0 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $2,500
Labor - $37,500
Design - $2,000-4,000
Total - $42,000-$44,000
Priority Level: 3
Section 5. Tischer Creek bed from the Lake
Superior to the tunnel under London Road
area between the trails on each side of the
creek – and island
Overall, assessing the condition of the island (Figure 29) is
difficult due to the debris, mainly a large quantity of stones,
boulder and gravel deposited here during the 2012 flood. In
addition, a former stone and concrete wall that encased the
edges of the island as a design element and protective wall
to prevent erosion was largely destroyed by the flooding.
A similar concrete and stone wall along the creek directly
across from the island was rebuilt after the flood.
• Main area of land northwest of the stone bridge and
southeast of the tunnel under London Road. For this report,
this area will be known henceforth as the island. This area
is currently covered in rock and boulders deposited by the
2012 flood. Top soil has also been removed/moved in areas.
Overall, the island area is difficult to access.
The rocks and boulders currently in place in this section will
Phase 1 - Section 5
Page 25
• The sketch drawn map (Figure 1) indicates a trail running
along the edge of the island and two more paths that connect
across the island. None of these trails are visible.
• Rock wall, west shore of Tischer Creek – waypoint 14 and 15
(Figure 30) – running along the north and east sides of the
island. Several sections of the wall are in place but damaged.
Portions of the rock are missing with the only remnants being
concrete from the original construction.
• Rock wall, east shore of Tischer Creek - (Figure 31) – The rock
wall has been repaired in the recent past as part of the larger
construction project currently going on at the estate.
• The Leavitt Plan (Figure 1) and archival photo (Figure 32) both
indicate a stream crossing southeast of the southern end of
the tunnel under London Road –waypoint 16. This crossing
was made using large stones placed in the creek bed. The
stepping stones are no longer present (Figure 33). They may
still be on-site, but downstream from where originally placed.
Figure 30 - Damaged retaining wall along Island
Figure 31 - Retaining wall, east shore - rebuilt 2013-2014
Phase 1 - Section 5
Page 26
be used to complete other sections of
the trail work. During the time the other
projects are being completed, the rocks
and boulders in this section will also be
sorted for use in other areas. Those rocks
that aren’t needed will be stockpiled on the
island for later use in completing section 5.
Once the stockpiling of rocks is completed,
the previously identified trails around and
across the island will be rebuilt. This entire
area is relatively flat and the trails will need
to be clearly marked to avoid/prevent
users from walking in areas other than the
trails. Additional analysis, research, design
and planning may need to be conducted
to determine actual or possible designs
for the island due to limited photographic
evidence of this area.
The rock wall on the west shore of Tischer
Creek will need to be rebuilt. The sections
in place from the original construction will
be left in place. Repair and replacement of
the wall to its original design will be done
by adding onto the old sections. Rocks and
mortar used to rebuild the wall will be of
the same type.
Figure 32 - Stone step creek crossing south of London Road circa 1910
It is our understanding that the rock
wall, east shore of Tischer Creek, is being
repaired as part of a previous project and
will not be included in this strategic plan.
The stream crossing made from large flat
stones placed in the creek bed will be
rebuilt. The stones to rebuild the crossing
will either be found on-site or will need to
be brought in from another source.
Section 5
Timeline estimate:
6.0 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $3,500
Labor - $37,500
Design - $4,000-10,000
Total - $45,000-51,000
Priority Level: 4
Figure 33 - Creek crossing today, stepping stones absent
Phase 1 - Section 6
Page 27
Section 6. Tunnel under London Road
Currently, the tunnel under London Road is difficult to
access from the trail. It was originally accessed only from
the west side of the creek. The east portion of the trail
originally took the hiker to the west bank tunnel approach
via a series of stepping stones (Figure 32) set across Tischer
Creek.
• Today the tunnel under London Road has a walkway on
each side of the inside the tunnel (Figure 34), but only the
western walkway would have been used in the original
path design. The walkways are constructed of concrete
and are 15-27-in. wide. The tread of the walkway is
inclined to the northwest.
•A
ccess to the original walkway from the southwest corner
of the tunnel is not possible, as the trail leading to this
point is nonexistent at this time (Figure 35). Access to
the walkway from the northwest corner of the tunnel is
accomplished only by climbing over an area with boulders
and washed out creek bank.
To make the walkway in the tunnel under London Road
accessible, new tread ways would need to be designed
and built on the west side of the tunnel. The design and
construction of this feature would need additional research.
and is beyond the scope of this strategic plan.
Figure 34 - London Road tunnel and walkways, looking south.
Cement walkway follows west side of creek
Phase 2 - Section 7
Page 28
Section 6
Timeline estimate:
Weeks, TBD
Cost estimate:
Materials - $ TBD
Labor - $ TBD
Design - $10,000-25,000
Total - $ TBD
Priority Level: 6
Phase 2
All portions of the trail system in Phase 2 are on private
property – See Section IV for current land ownership details.
Section 7. Tunnel opening on the northwest
side of London Road to first set of stairs
This section of trail has been eroded in spots and only a few
portions of the original trail exist.
• There is no direct connection from the walkway under
the tunnel to the trail (Figure 36). The original trail was
approximately 20-24-in. wide with rocks placed/set up right
along the edges of the path to form a border (Figure 37).
Figure 35 - Missing portion of trail, south of
London Road tunnel
Below: South entrance tunnel
Phase 2 - Section 7
Page 29
Figure 36 - Trail access to tunnel on the north side of London Road, view from above Tischer Creek
This section of trail will be filled in along the
northwest creek bed to bring the grade of the trail
above the average water level in the creek and high
enough to connect with the tread way of the tunnel.
Fill will consist primarily of boulders and stones
currently found in the area with soil placed on top
to provide a stable tread. Based on Figure 37, the
trail will be rebuilt to approximately 20-24-in. wide
with rocks placed/set up right along the edges of the
path.
Section 7
Timeline estimate:
Weeks TBD
Cost estimate:
Materials - $0
Labor - $16,800
Design - $0
Total - $16,800
Figure 37 - Trail north of London Road circa 1908
Priority Level: 7
Phase 2 - Section 8
Page 30
Figure 38 - Location of three original steps
Section 8. First set of steps north of London
Road to first bridge north of London Road
This section of trail is slightly visible, but is covered by brush
and eroded in areas.
Three steps will be rebuilt using a “Rock Riser Stairway”
design as had been used originally elsewhere on the trail,
(Figure 12) and will be 24-30-in. wide. The stairs are identified
on the Leavitt Plan from 1908.
Section 8
• The original Leavitt Plan from 1908 (Figure 2) indicates three
steps were present – waypoint 17 (Figure 38) – along the
trail. An original photo has not yet been located.
Timeline estimate:
1.0 weeks
This section of trail involves two projects: 1) clearing the
vegetation from the area the trail originally existed and
rebuilding the trail and 2) rebuilding the three steps.
Cost estimate:
Materials - $0
Labor - $7,000
Design - $0
Total - $7,000
The trail will be rebuilt to approximately 20-24-in. wide with
rocks placed/set up right along the edges of the path.
Priority Level: 8
Phase 2 - Section 9
Page 31
Section 9. First bridge north of
London Road to north edge of
railroad trestle
Overall, the trail is quite visible. Portions of
this section of trail had been cut into the
bedrock (waypoints 20 and 21) to form the
trail. Some erosion of the trail has occurred
(figure 39). Additional features:
• There are four concrete steps present near
the point – waypoint 19 (Figure 40) – of
the original footing on the northeast end
of Bridge 1. Between this footing and the
north edge of the railroad trestle the trail
has been cut into the bedrock and is 20-24in. wide. The trail below the south edge of
the railroad trestle was constructed using a
combination of rock and cement. Portions of
the trail are still present.
• The original wooden bridge is no longer
present, and a replacement bridge has
not been constructed. The original bridge
(Figure 41) was in a rustic log design and
was approximately 20-ft. long.
• There is evidence of a bridge footing
remaining on the west side of the creek –
waypoint 18.
Figure 39 - Trail cut into bedrock, erosion present
Phase 2 - Section 9
Page 32
This section of trail involves four projects:
• Rebuild the footings for Bridge 1
• Replace the original bridge
•Re-establish portions of the trail that were
originally cut into the bedrock
• Rebuild the portion of trail southeast of the
railroad trestle
Since the footings for the Bridge 1 are no longer
present, new footings will be designed and built
using the footings from Bridge 3 as a template.
The material for the footings will be stone
from the area and concrete with a composition
similar to that used with other original features
on the trail. The actual design of the footings will
need additional analysis. Research, design and
planning to be conducted to determine a final
design of the bridge as this is outside the scope
of this plan.
The bridge will be replaced using a design based
from a photo taken when the trail was originally
built in 1908 (Figure 41). The materials used
to construct the bridge will be found locally
either on-site or within close proximity. The
actual design of the bridge will need additional
analysis. Research, design and planning to be
conducted to determine a final design of the
bridge is outside the scope of this plan.
The portions of the trail which were originally
cut into the bedrock will be re-established in
the areas where erosion has occurred. This will
involve cutting/chiseling into the bedrock and
matching the original trail cuts as needed.
The trail southeast of the railroad trestle will be
rebuilt to a width of 20-24-in. using rocks and
concrete with a composition similar to that used
with other original features on the trail.
Section 9
Timeline estimate:
7.7-8.7 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $2,000-6,000
Labor - $53,900-$60,900
Design - $2,000-$5,000
Total - $57,900-71,900
Priority Level: 9
At right:
Figure 40 - Original concrete steps, only three visible in
this image
Phase 2 - Section 9
Page 33
Figure 41 - Original Bridge 1, Bridge 2 in the background, circa 1908
Phase 2 - Section 10 and 11
Page 34
Section 10. North edge of railroad trestle to Section 11. Second bridge to the north side
south end of second bridge north of London of the creek past the stepping stones
Road
The trail (Figure 42) continues to be cut into the bedrock
to the north and east – waypoint 21 - until it reaches the
footing of Bridge 2 north of the railroad tracks. The portions
of the trail which were originally cut into the bedrock will be
reestablished in the areas where erosion has occurred. This
will involve cutting/chiseling into the bedrock and matching
the original trail cuts as needed.
Section 10
Timeline estimate:
1.5-2 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $0
Labor - $10,500-$14,000
Design - $0
Total - $10,500-$14,000
Priority Level: 10
Figure 42 - Trail cut into bedrock
The original bridge (Figure 43) is no longer present, and no
other bridge has been constructed (Figure 44).
• There is no evidence of the bridge footing remaining on the
northwest side of the creek - waypoint 22 (Figure 45) – other
than metal rods that remain in the bedrock (Figure 46). The
footing – waypoint 23 - on the southeast side of the creek is
present, but heavily damaged (Figure 44).
• Moving to the northeast along the creek, the original trail
- waypoints 23 and 24 (Figure 43) - is no longer present
(Figure 45).
• The stepping stones – waypoint 25 - used to originally cross
the creek are no longer present (figure 43).
Phase 2 - Section 11
Page 35
Figure 43 - Original Bridge 2, circa 1908
Figure 44 - Bridge 2 location today. Damaged footing and missing trail along east bank
Phase 2 - Section 11
Page 36
Since the footings for the Bridge 2 are either missing or
heavily damaged, new footings will be designed and built
using the footings from Bridge 3 as a template. The material
for the footings will be stone from the area and concrete
with a composition similar to that used with other original
features on the trail.
The bridge will be replaced using a design based from a
photo taken when the trail was originally built in 1908. The
footing materials used to construct the bridge will be found
locally either on-site or within close proximity. The actual
design of the bridge will need additional analysis. Research,
design and planning to be conducted to determine a final
design of the bridge as this is outside the scope of this plan.
The portion of trail along the southeastern creek edge will be
designed and rebuilt based on the photo of the original trail
(Figure 43). Boulders from the area will be placed along edge
of the creek bed and backfilled with rock and soil to create
the tread of the trail. The trail will slope upstream to match
the elevation of the creek bed adjacent to the stepping
stones across the creek.
The stream crossing east northeast of Bridge 2 made from
large flat stones placed in the creek bed will be rebuilt. The
stones to rebuild the crossing will either be found on-site or
will need to be brought in from another source.
Figure 45 - original trail route and Bridge 2 footing location
Section 11
Timeline estimate:
4.6-5.6 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $3,000-6,000
Labor - $32,200-$39,200
Design - $2,000-$5,000
Total - $37,200-$50,200
Priority Level: 11
Section 12. North side of creek past the
stepping stones to southwest footing of
Bridge 3 north of London Road
Overall, this portion of the trail is quite visible. Portions of
the trail are usable by individuals who are able to move on
uneven ground. There are sections of the trail missing which
make it difficult to reach all portions of the trail. A majority
of the trail is either flat or located on relatively flat ground
approximately 12-16-in. wide. Areas that present inclines
originally had stone stairs. Moving from the north side of the
stepping stone creek crossing to the southwest footing of
Bridge 3, there are several features to note, including:
• The 15-ft. section of trail immediately north of stepping
stones/creek edge is no longer present.
Figure 46 - metal rods in bedrock, originally
used to anchor bridge footing
Phase 2 - Section 12
Page 37
• Section of trail/retaining wall - waypoint 25 (Figure 47) - was
originally made of rock and cement. Both cement and rocks
appear to be materials found on-site during construction.
Portions of the trail and retaining wall are still present, but some
rocks and cement are missing.
• The four step staircase made of stone blocks (approx. 12” 8”x20”)
– waypoint 26 (Figure 48) – uses an “Overlapping Rock” design.
The stair treads themselves are in good condition, but are out of
their original position. The treads are bound on the downstream
side by rocks placed/set up right along the edges of the path. As
originally designed, there are no handrails present along either
side of the stairway.
Below: Figure 47 - Stone and concrete trail and retaining wall
At left: Figure 48 - 4 stone steps
Phase 2 - Section 12
Page 38
• Above the four step
staircase, the trail splits to
the north and northeast.
The northerly trail has, in
part, been lost due to the
construction of a portion
of the Duluth Lakewalk.
The northeasterly trail is
currently only visible in
parts. The trail overall, is
no longer present due to
erosion (Figure 49). Both
trails continue uphill until
reaching the top of the
hill and entering another
portion of trail that creates
a circle at the top of the hill.
• Leading up the
northeasterly trail another
four step staircase of stone
blocks approximately
12”x 8”x20”. – waypoint 27
(Figure 50) - is present. The
steps are built using an
“Overlapping Rock” design.
Top: Figure 49 - Location of
original trail, now lost due to
erosion
Right: Figure 50 - 4 stone stairs
Phase 2 - Section 12
Page 39
• Continuing on, the trail
curves to the northwest
to another set of
stairs – waypoint 28
(Figure 51). There are 12
treads (approximately
12”x8”x20”in the
staircase that are
bound on either side by
retaining stones along
the edges. The stair
treads themselves are
in good condition, but
are out of their original
position. As in the
original design, there
are no handrails present
along either side of the
stairway.
• The section of trail at the
top of the hill creates
a circle following the
edge of the hilltop waypoint 29 (Figure
52) - and circling back
around towards the
area originally identified
as “Fruit Trees Planted
Irregularly.” Half of this
trail is inaccessible
due to overgrowth of
vegetation.
• There are approximately
four stone steps covered
in moss and debris
at the base of the
southwest footing of
Bridge 3 - waypoint 30
(Figure 53). The steps
are not stable. Estimated
size is approximately
12”x8”x20”.
Figure 51 - 12 step staircase
and retaining stones
Phase 2 - Section 12
Page 40
This section of trail involves three projects:
• Clear, rebuild and reconnect the individual
sections of trail
• Rebuild the retaining wall on the northwest side
of the creek
• Rebuild four sets of stairs.
There are several portions of trail that need to be
redefined and rebuilt in this section. Starting from
the northwest side of the creek, the trail will be
filled in with boulders and rock from the area to
create a 20-24-in. wide trail. Throughout the area
the portions of trail which are disconnected will
be reconnected by clearing the trails of vegetation
and establishing a 20-24-in. tread.
The trail retaining wall, originally made of rock
and cement, will be rebuilt using stone from the
area and concrete with a composition similar to
that used with other original features on the trail.
Each of the four stone staircases will need to be
dismantled and completely rebuilt. Work will
involve removing all the current steps in order
to fix the foundation under the steps. Once the
foundations are repaired, the current stair treads
will be replaced as close to their original position
as possible and using the same “Overlapping
Rock” construction. Due to the steep nature of the
entire staircase and long drop to the south of the
staircase, installing handrails along the south side
of the staircase is recommended.
The handrails should be installed adjacent to the
rehabilitated steps and not destroy the historic
materials currently in place. The design and
construction of the railings should not imitate
historic handrails used elsewhere in the trail, as
that would portray a false sense of the original
design.
Figure 52 - Retaining wall along trail
Section 12
Timeline estimate:
6-7 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $1,500-$4,000
Labor - $42,000-$49,000
Design - $0
Total - $43,500-$53,000
Priority Level: 12
Figure 53 - Stone steps covered in moss and debris
Phase 2 - Section 13
Page 41
Section 13. Bridge 3
The original bridge (Figure 54) – waypoint 30 - is no longer
present (Figure 55). There are footings on either side of the
creek that are still in place.
Figure - 54 Original Bridge 3, circa 1908
Figure 55 - Bridge 3 location today
• The footing for the Bridge 3 (figure 56) on the east creek
bank is in place; repairs need to be made to fix the missing
or damaged areas. The material for the footings will be
stone from the area and concrete with a composition similar
to that used with other original features on the trail.
Phase 2 - Section 13
Page 42
• The footing for Bridge 3 on the west creek bank is covered
by vegetation and moss. Determining the condition of the
footing is not possible without further excavation.
• The bridge will be replaced using a design based from a
photo taken around the time when the trail was originally
built in 1908, Figure 54. The materials used to construct
the bridge will be found locally either on-site or within
close proximity. The actual design of the bridge will need
additional analysis, research, design and planning to be
conducted to determine a final design of the bridge as this
is outside the scope of this plan.
Section 13
Timeline estimate:
3-4 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $2,000-$6,000
Labor - $21,000-$28,000
Design - $2,000-$5,000
Total - $25,000-$39,000
Priority Level: 13
Figure 56 - Bridge 3 footing
Phase 2 - Section 14 and 15
Page 43
Figure 57 - Eroded east creek bank with arrow pointing to Bridge 3 footing
Section 14. Trail on northwest side of
creek, between Bridge 3 and Greysolon
Road
The majority of the trail is covered by vegetation. There
are no other features, such as stairs, bridges or retaining
walls along this section.
Work in this section will involve clearing and
reestablishing the trail to its original width of 20-24in. There are no other hard structure features in this
section.
Section 14
Timeline estimate:
1 day
Cost estimate:
Materials - $0
Labor - $2,000
Design - $0
Total - $2,000
Priority Level: 14
Section 15. Trail along the southeast side of
the creek between Bridge 3 and Greysolon
Road and the stepping stones crossing the
creek to the southwest
Overall, this portion of the trail is not usable or visible. The
majority of trail is missing, making it difficult for the average
person to reach all portions of the trail. The portions of trail
which are usable are located along the northeast side of
Tischer Creek and are either flat or located on relatively flat
ground. Areas that present inclines originally had stone
stairs. Moving from the north side (Bridge 3), there are
several features to note, including:
• Approximately 100-ft. of the trail immediately north of
Bridge 3 is no longer present. The trail has been eroded
by the creek and currently the creek bank is very steep
(Figure 57). The creek bank begins to flatten out further to
the northeast up to the edge of the pool, but there is no
defined trail at this time.
Phase 2 - Section 15
Page 44
Figure 58 - Stepping stones south of Greysolon Road, looking northeast circa 1908
• The stepping stones that originally created a creek crossing
for the trail, – waypoint 32 (Figure 58) – and visible in the
Leavitt Plan, are no longer present.
• North of the pool, the trail veers uphill to the north. This
steep portion of the trail has several stair treads visible.
The treads are slumping down the hill and no longer in
their original position. Access to this point of the trail is
difficult due to the steep terrain and dense overgrowth of
vegetation.
• At the top of the hill there is
a short section of trail to the
south of Bridge 4. The trail
is not visible due to erosion
and vegetation growth.
• Bridge 4 as indicated on
Leavitt’s plan is no longer
present (Figure 2).
• The southeast footing –
waypoint 33 - of the bridge
is present, at least in part.
A majority of the footing is
covered with approximately
7-in. of soil and vegetation.
Tischer creek falls
Since the entire footing is not visible, the condition of
the entire footing is unknown. The northwest footing –
waypoint 34 – is present, but appears to be damaged with
portions missing.
• The trail splits northwest of Bridge 4 towards the north and
southwest.
• Based on the Leavitt Plan (Figure 2), the trail to the north
had a set of stairs with approximately 10-13 steps. A search
of the area found no steps present. It is possible the stairs
are covered by soil and would
require excavation to determine if
they’re present.
• Based on the Leavitt Plan (Figure
2), the trail to the southwest has
a set of stairs with approximately
four to five steps. A search of the
area found no steps present. It
is possible the stairs are covered
by soil and would require
excavation to determine if they’re
present. The trail continues to
the northwest just south of
Greysolon Road, but is not visible
due to overgrown vegetation.
Phase 2 - Section 15
Page 45
The 100-ft. of trail along the east side of the creek beginning
at the northeast end of Bridge 3 will need to be rebuilt with
portions of the trail filled in with boulders and rock from
the area to create a 20-24-in. wide trail along the creek
edge. Northeast of this section, the trail will be rebuilt and
reestablished to 20-24-in. wide up to the base of the stairs
east of the pool.
The stream crossing northwest (Figure 58) of Bridge 3
made from large flat stones placed in the creek bed will be
replaced. The stones to rebuild the crossing will either be
found on-site or will need to be brought in from another
local source.
The portion of trail veering uphill to the north will be cleared
of vegetation and the section of stairs will be rebuilt using
the treads on-site. The stairs will be rebuilt using a “Rock
Riser Stairway” design (Figure 12). This design would be the
most likely design used during the original construction,
the current configuration of the remaining treads and
what was used originally elsewhere on the trail. Due to the
steep nature of the staircases and surrounding topography,
installing handrails along downhill side of the staircase is
recommended.
The portion of trail leading up to Bridge 4 from the south will
be reestablished and rebuilt to 20-24-in. wide.
The footings for the Bridge 4 are in place, but since their
current condition is unknown, repairs cannot be determined
until the soil around them is fully excavated. Any repairs
needed will be made using stone from the area and concrete
with a composition similar to that used with other original
features on the trail.
The bridge will be replaced using a new design that is
compatible with the historic character of the landscape, but
will clearly present itself as a new design. The materials used
to construct the bridge will be found locally either on-site or
within close proximity. The actual design of the bridge will
need additional analysis, research, design and planning to be
conducted to determine a final design of the bridge as this is
outside the scope of this plan.
The trail northwest of Bridge 4 trending towards the north
will need to have the vegetation cleared from the area
and the trail reestablished and rebuilt. The stairs along this
portion of the trail will either need to be rebuilt or more
excavation of the area will need to occur. Based on the
current topography at this point on the trail, stairs built
using a “Rock Riser Stairway” (Figure 12) design would be
suggested.
The trail northwest of Bridge 4 trending towards the
southwest will need to have the vegetation cleared from
the area and the trail reestablished and rebuilt. The stairs
along this portion of the trail will either need to be rebuilt or
more excavation of the area will need to occur. Based on the
current topography at this point on the trail, the stairs would
be built using an “Overlapping Rock” construction (Figure 23).
Due to the steep nature of the staircases and location along
the creek edge, installing handrails along the sides of the
staircases is recommended.
Section 15
Timeline estimate:
11.4-15.4 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $4,000-8,000
Labor - $79,800-$107,800
Design - $2,000-$5,000
Total - $85,800-$120-800
Priority Level: 15
Phase 3 - Section 16
Page 46
Phase 3
Section 16. Greysolon Road
to Superior Street
Unlike the previous section of trail
from Lake Superior to Greysolon Road,
the section from Greysolon Road to
Superior Street does not have a corresponding Leavitt Plan landscape
design in the Glensheen archives.
However, a map created in 2000 by
the Glensheen groundskeeper (Figure
3) indicates the trail location and its
associated features and will be used
for the purposes of this plan. Additionally there is 1908 correspondence
between Leavitt and Congdon about
placing a rustic Swiss-style building
on top of the filter tank, and one over
the filter tank. Architectural drawings
were made (see Appendix, B), but the
structures were never completed.
Trail features in this section include:
A set of poured concrete stairs –
waypoint 35 (Figure 59). The stairs
lead from the creek bed to the westsouthwest. There appears to be no
river gravel or rock in the concrete, as
seen in other built features along this
trail. Based on this evidence, and the
fact that they are not included in the
groundkeepers map, these stairs were
likely added at a later date and are not
part of the original trail system.
There is also a section of the trail along
the hillside south of Superior St. which
has been covered in the recent past
with concrete to prevent erosion.
The following features are also currently located in Section 16, but are
not part of the trail system
• Footings under Superior Street
bridge – waypoint 39 (Figure 58)
– appear to be in good condition
overall. No handrails present along
creek edge.
Figure 59 - Poured concrete stairs
Phase 3 - Section 16
Page 47
• Wing dams along the creek edge – waypoint 36 (Figure 60) southeast of the reservoir. There are two wing dams, one on
the east and one on the west side of the creek. The eastern
wing dam is damaged, with portions of concrete and stone
missing. The western wing dam is in good condition overall,
but does have some missing stone and concrete on the southern end.
A rock stepping stone path across the stream near the dam.
The stones are no longer present. New stones would need to be
found in the area and placed in the stream.
• Intake for reservoir (Figure 61)
A bridge/boardwalk structure of unknown design (waypoint
38) - The boardwalk/bridge structure will require additional
analysis to be conducted to determine the appropriate design
and construction methods required to replace this feature.
• Intake filter (Figure 62)
• Filter tank (reservoir) for the Congdon Estate – waypoint 37
(Figure 63) following page
- The filter reservoir, although not part of the trail, does
require some stabilization work to prevent further
damages. Currently, there are trees growing on and
around the filter tank which should be removed to
prevent the roots from growing into the concrete and
causing damage due to the freeze-thaw cycle.
Rebuilding this trail will primarily involve clearing and reestablishing approximately 1,200’ of trail to its original width of 2024-in. There are no other hard structure features in this section.
According to the map from 2000, two additional features were
present on the trail:
Figure 60 - Wing dams associated with the reservoir
A rock stepping stone path across the stream southwest of the
filter chamber. – The stones are no longer present. New stones
would need to be found in the area and placed in the stream.
This section of trail (approximately 1,200-ft.) will require the
trail to be reestablished and rebuilt with a 20-24-in. tread width.
Section 16
Timeline estimate:
3.0 - 4.0 weeks
Cost estimate:
Materials - $2,000
Labor - $21,000 - 28,000
Design - $2,000 - 5,000
Total - $25,000 - 35,000
Priority Level: 16
Phase 3 - Section 16
Page 48
Additional Reservoir Information
The historic water system is an important part of the Glensheen.
For the purpose of this report it is not part of the Historic West
Trail system. The reservoir, filter and dam will need additional
study and discussion about rehabilitation and preservation.
We do recommend that some brushing and tree clearing be
done as base stabilization. The filter and reservoir are severely
encroached on my vegetation.
Figure 61 - Reservoir intake and dam
Figure 63 - Top of reservoir
Figure 62 - Intake filter structure
Phase 3 - Section 16
Page 49
Figure 64 - Current land owner information by parcel number
Prioritized Work Plan and Landownership
Page 50
IV Prioritized Work Plan V. CURRENT LANDOWNERSHIP
Based on conversations with Dan Hartman, Director of
Glensheen, the main focus of the work plan should focus
on Phase 1 of the trail and features between Lake Superior
and London Road. After Phase 1 is complete, Phase 2 and
3 should begin, respectively. Below, each section of trail is
listed in the order which the projects should be completed.
Phase 1
• Section 2 - Trail between Lake Outlook and Stone Bridge
• Section 3 - Stone Bridge to London Road (west side of
Tischer Creek)
• Section 4 - Stone Bridge to London Road (east side of
Tischer Creek)
• Section 5 - Tischer Creek bed from the Lake Superior to the
tunnel under London Road
• Section 1 – The Lake Outlook
Section 6 - Tunnel under London Road
Phase 2
All portions of the trail system in Phase 2 are on private
property – See Section IV for current land ownership details.
• Section 7 –Tunnel opening on the northwest side of London
Road to first set of stairs
• Section 8– First set of steps north of London Road to first
bridge north of London Road
• Section 9 - First bridge north of London Road to north edge
of railroad trestle
• Section 10 - North edge of railroad trestle to south end of
second bridge north of London Road
• Section 11 - Second bridge to the north side of the creek
past the stepping stones
• Section 12- North side of creek past the stepping stones to
southwest footing of Bridge 3 north of London Road
• Section 13 - Bridge 3
• Section 14 – Trail on northwest side of creek, between
Bridge 3 and Greysolon Road
• Section 15 – Trail along the southeast side of the creek
between Bridge 3 and Greysolon Road and the stepping
stones crossing the creek to the southwest
Phase 3
All portions of the trail system in Phase 3 are on City of
Duluth owned property – See Section IV for current land
ownership details.
• Section 16 -– Greysolon Road to Superior Street
Verification of land ownership was completed by consulting the St. Louis County Land Explorer and with the help of
Consolidated Title & Abstract Company and staff from St.
Louis County and the City of Duluth. The landownership for
portions of the trail system to the north and northwest of
London Road have change since 1908. In 1908, Congdon
deeded a total of 33.7 acres of land to the City of Duluth
for the purpose of park and parkway (see appendix, C). The
parcel of land previously owned by the Congdon’s has been
subdivided into several smaller lots (Figure 64).
Below are the lots related to rehabilitating the Historic West
Trail System at Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate. Also
included are the property owner’s responses, if a response
was received, to the possibility of rehabilitating the trail system and its associated features to its 1908 configuration.
Verification of land ownership was completed by consulting
the St. Louis County Land Explorer and with the help of
Consolidated Title & Abstract Company and staff from St.
Louis County and the City of Duluth. The landownership for
portions of the trail system to the north and northwest of
London Road have change since 1908. In 1908, Congdon
deeded a total of 33.7 acres of land to the City of Duluth for
the purpose of park and parkway (see appendix XX). The
parcel of land previously owned by the Congdon’s has been
subdivided into several smaller lots (Figure XX - this is a
placeholder map for actual doc).
Below are the lots related to rehabilitating the Historic West
Trail System at Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate. Also
included are the property owner’s responses, if a response
was received, to the possibility of rehabilitating the trail
system and its associated features to its 1908 configuration.
Current Land Owners
Parcel NUMBER:
06190
Name:
Email:
Property Address:
Duluth, MN 55812
Title Holder:
Taxpayer’s Name:
Address: 010-1370-06160 to 010-1370Scott Nelson
[email protected]
378 S 32nd Ave E
Nelson, Scott Gerald
NELSON, SCOTT GERALD
2424 GREYSOLON RD
DULUTH MN 55812
Response
“My first issue is: The MN Department of Natural Resources
needs to designate the stream as CATCH & RELEASE ONLY, for
trout & salmon, below the barrier falls at the railroad track
(or even the falls upstream of Superior Street which is an
unquestionable barrier, as Steelhead do make it above the
railroad track falls at times.). This is about protecting a limited
city resource from harvest, and hopefully protecting the limited
Landownership
Page 51
spawning class of fish, which ARE successful spawners, if
protected, most years. I frequently see a few nice 6-10 rainbows
in the stream on my property during the summer, and I do not
have the deep water pools like Glensheen which are better for
long term survival of young trout. I would like to make this a
viable spawning stream for our fish! EVEN BETTER would be
if the DNR made the entire stream catch & release, with a 16”
minimum length above the barrier falls. As well as this stream
can produce nice brook trout over 16” if they are given a chance
to grow that long.
Given the above:
The access is JUST a TRAIL CORRIDOR use on the historic
Glensheen trail corridor and signed only for trail egress only
across private property. Again related to my concerns about
people fishing for spawning trout & salmon on a very vulnerable
stream. I would like people to enjoy the stream corridor, with
protection for the aquatic & wildlife resources. And I think the
people would better appreciate our precious resources if they
can see what we have. This wildlife use has included multiple
years of frequent use by cougars, bear, deer, weasel’s and,
formerly, a bull moose which frequently used the property every
week for the first few years of my ownership.
I would need the right to block public access if basic
requirements of resource management, littering and property
abuse are not followed.
It would also be nice if placement of boulders &/or large rocks
for restoration of the historic gravel spawning beds was done on
the Glensheen estate. These include locations at the rock below
road tunnel, the tail out below the willow trunk and restoration
of the spawning bed at the Glensheen bridge. Of course,
post flood, fisheries managers may have better placement
suggestions.
Sincerely,
Scott Nelson”
Parcel Number:
Name:
Email:
Property Address:
Title Holder:
Taxpayer’s Name:
Address: 010-1370-06120
Bob Manzoline, Executive Director
[email protected]
N/A – Property isn’t adjacent to a street.
STLCO & LKCO REG RR AUTH
PROPERTY TAX
8TH FLOOR
PO BOX 8100, DOWNTOWN STATION
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA
H3C 3N4
Response – No response
Parcel Number:
Name:
Email:
Property Address:
010-1370-06195
Bob Manzoline, Executive Director
[email protected]
N/A – Property isn’t adjacent to a street.
Title Holder:
Taxpayer’s Name:
Address: Response – See above
ST LOUIS & LAKE COUNTIES
ST LOUIS & LAKE COUNTIES
REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY
307 1ST ST SO RM 113
VIRGINIA, MN 55792
Parcel Number:
Name:
Email:
Property Address:
Title Holder:
Taxpayer’s Name:
Address: 010-1370-04050
Dan Hatfield
[email protected]
214 S 32nd Ave E
Duluth, MN 55804
JUDSON HATFIELD TRUST
JUDSON HATFIELD TRUST
230 W WELLS STREET SUITE 402
MILWAUKEE, WI 53203
Response
“Regarding the trail request. This Property is privately owned
and we did grant the City of Duluth a special easement for the
lake walk trail through the property but we would not allow
anything extending to the north- west into our property from
the Lake walk fenced area or bridge.
We may consider selling our property in a few years, If the
University of MN/ Glensheen is interested in purchasing this
historic property we would be open to considering any offers.
Thank you
Daniel B Hatfield”
Parcel Number:
Name:
Email:
Property Address:
Title Holder:
Taxpayer’s Name:
Address: 010-1370-06110
Dan Hatfield
[email protected]
214 S 32nd Ave E
Duluth, MN 55804
JUDSON HATFIELD SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST
JUDSON HATFIELD TRUST
C/O MCTC
230 W WELLS ST #402
MILWAUKEE, WI 53203
Response – see above
Parcel Number:
Name:
Email:
Property Address:
Title Holder:
Taxpayer’s Name:
Address:
Response – No response
010-1370-04060
Gary Black and Celeste Curley-
Black
[email protected]
N/A – Property doesn’t have a registered street address.
Black, Gary D
BLACK GARY D & CURLEY-BLACK CELESTE A
1737 LAKEVIEW DR
DULUTH, MN 55803-2504
Landownership
Page 52
Parcel Number: Parcel numbers not available – There are
two parcels of land currently labeled as “UNIDENTIFIED” in
the St. Louis County land records. Upon initial consultation
with the City of Duluth and St. Louis County, neither body
had current landownership records for these parcels. While
working with the city, documentation was acquired (see
appendix XX) indicating the land had been deeded to the
City of Duluth, but these transactional records were not
recorded or maintained properly. Representatives from the
City of Duluth and St. Louis County indicated this is not
uncommon.
In consultation with Bill Oswald from Consolidated Title &
Abstract Company, a determination was made (see appendix
XX), identifying the City of Duluth as the owners of the
land with Charles Congdon or his successors maintaining
ownership of Parcel 3, the area containing the dam, pool
filter, reservoir, pipeline and the created pool.
Property Address/ This area consists of land along Tischer
Creek between Greysolon Road and just north of Superior
St. to the south and north and between South 32nd Ave. E./
Congdon Park Dr. S. and unimproved North 33rd Ave. E to the
west and east.
Parcel No.: Description: 010-1370-04060 to the south
and Parcel No. 010-2710-03625
Title Holder:
City of Duluth
Taxpayer’s Name:
N/A
Address:
N/A
Parcel Number:
Name:
Property Address:
Title Holder:
Taxpayer’s Name: Address: 010-1370-01410
Board of Education
3116 E Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55812
Board of Education
N/A
N/A
Bibliography
Page 53
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. The Glensheen Grounds Tour Guide Book, Daniel Francis
Hartman.
a. Glensheen website. https://glensheen.wp.d.umn.edu/
b. G
lensheen Landscape: The Congdon Leavitt Story, Michael
Lane and Dan McClelland. Katherine A. Martin Library,
the Northeast Minnesota Historical Center Collections,
Glensheen archival collection.
2. Victorian Cottage Residences, Andrew Jackson Browning,
Dover Publications 1873 addition, reprinted 1981. Page
119, An Irregular Villa in the Italian style, bracketed.
3. American Eden: From Monticello to Central Park to Our
Backyards: What Our Gardens Tell Us About Who We Are,
Wade Graham, 2011, Harper Collins Publishers.
a. The Country Place Era Garden, The Cultural Landscape
Foundation. https://tclf.org/content/country-place-eragarden
b. A
Genius For Place, American Landscapes of the Country
Place Era. http://www.smith.edu/artmuseum2/archived_
exhibitions/geniusforplace/what_youll_see.htm
4. Congdon Park Land Donation 1908, Katherine A. Martin
Library, the Northeast Minnesota Historical Center Collections, Glensheen archival collection
5. Glensheen, Zenith City online, Tony Dierckins. http://zenithcity.com/
a. Historic Glensheen 1905-1930, Photographs from the Congdon Estate’s First 25 Years, Tony Dierckins, Zenith City Press,
2015.
6. Charles Wellford Leavitt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Charles_Wel
lford_Leavitt
7. Glensheen Water Supply, February, 1980, RKW, Katherine
A. Martin Library, the Northeast Minnesota Historical
Center Collections, Glensheen archival collection.
From the University of Minnesota Duluth, Katherine
A. Martin Library, the Northeast Minnesota Historical
Center Collections, Glensheen archival collection:
•C
hester Congdon Diaries, 1911-1939
(actually Clara Congdon’s diaries)
•G
lensheen Plant List, Charles Leavitt, Jr., January 1908.
• Glensheen Water Supply, February, 1980, RKW.
• Congdon Park Land Donation 1908
• Plan for “Tischer Creek Park,” 1987
On-line sources:
• National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior: Protecting Cultural Landscapes: Planning, Treatment and Management of Historic Landscapes, Charles A.Birnbaum, ASLA,
Technical Preservation Services.www.nps.gov/tps/how-topreserve/briefs/36-cultural-landscapes.
• The
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation
&Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitation Historic Buildings –
Site. Building Site: Landscape and Setting. www.nps.gov/tps/
standards/rehabilitation/rehab/building01.htm
www.nps.gov/tps/standards/rehabilitation/rehab/setting01.
Appendix A
Page 54
ENTIRE TRAIL EXEMPTION FORM (1017.2 EXCEPTION 2)
This form can be used to notify the U.S. Access Board when a Federal agency determines in accordance with 1017.1 Exception
2 that it is impracticable for an entire trail to comply with the technical requirements in 1017.1. Federal agencies are
encouraged to seek technical assistance from the Access Board when considering exempting an entire trail.
Check all boxes that apply.
Name of Trail:
FTDS Designed Use of Pedestrian/hiker
Location: (FLMA unit, nearest town, city,
county, state)
Connects directly to trailhead or accessible trail that complies with
all of the technical requirements in 1017 without any exceptions.
New Construction
Length of Trail:
(miles, km, feet) (loop, round-trip, one way)
Alteration
The U.S. Access Board will consider these conditions as a basis for determining in accordance with 1017.1 Exception 2 that it is
impracticable for an entire trail to comply with the technical requirements in 1017.
Check the box beside conditions that apply to the trail.
Combination of running slope and cross slope exceeds 40 percent for over 20 feet
Trail obstacle 30 inches high or more runs across the full tread width of the trail
Trail surface is neither firm nor stable for a distance of 45 feet or more
Tread width is less than 12 inches wide for a distance of 20 feet or more
15 percent or more of the trail does not fully comply with the technical requirements in 1017
Any additional conditions that render it impracticable for a trail to comply with the technical requirements in 1017 should be described
below under Additional Information.
Additional Information:
Alternatives Considered:
Name:
Position:
Site Name:
Agency:
Contact Information
(email, phone):
Date:
U.S. Access Board, 1331 F. Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004-1111
800-872-2253 (v) 202-272-0082 (TTY)
www.access-board.gov
Appendix B
Page 55
Appendix C
Page 56
Glensheen Title Opinion
Appendix C
Page 57
PLATS N PAGE 52
Appendix C
Page 58
CONGDON DULUTH 1908 LEGAL
Appendix C
Page 59
CONGDON DULUTH 1908 LEGAL
Appendix C
Page 60
CONGDON DULUTH 1908 LEGAL
Appendix C
Page 61
CONGDON DULUTH 1908 LEGAL
Appendix C
Page 62
CONGDON DULUTH 1908 LEGAL
Appendix D
Page 63
COST ESTIMATES BY SECTION
Section
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
8
Item
Materials
Labor
Design
Total
Materials
Labor
Design
Total
Materials
Labor
Design
Total
Materials
Labor
Design
Total
Materials
Labor
Design
Total
Materials
Labor
Design
Total
Materials
Labor
Design
Total
Materials
Labor
Design
Total
Low
$2,000
$35,000
$4,000
$41,000
$0
$21,000
$0
$21,000
$1,000
$21,000
$2,000
$24,000
$2,500
$37,500
$2,000
$42,000
$3,500
$37,500
$4,000
$45,000
$10,000
$10,000
$0
$16,800
$0
$16,800
$0
$7,000
$0
$7,000
High
$10,000
$35,000
$15,000
$60,000
$0
$21,000
$0
$21,000
$1,000
$21,000
$5,000
$27,000
$2,500
$37,500
$4,000
$44,000
$3,500
$37,500
$10,000
$51,000
$25,000
$25,000
$0
$16,800
$0
$16,800
$0
$7,000
$0
$7,000
Section
9
9
9
9
10
10
10
10
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
14
15
15
15
15
16
16
16
16
All
All
All
All
Item
Low
High
Materials
$2,000
$6,000
Labor
$53,900
$60,900
Design
$2,000
$5,000
Total
$57,900
$71,900
Materials
$0
$0
Labor
$10,500
$14,000
Design
$0
$0
Total
$10,500
$14,000
Materials
$3,000
$6,000
Labor
$32,200
$39,200
Design
$2,000
$5,000
Total
$37,200
$50,200
Materials
$1,500
$4,000
Labor
$42,000
$49,000
Design
$0
$0
Total
$43,500
$53,000
Materials
$2,000
$6,000
Labor
$21,000
$28,000
Design
$2,000
$5,000
Total
$25,000
$39,000
Materials
$0
$0
Labor
$2,000
$2,000
Design
$0
$0
Total
$2,000
$2,000
Materials
$4,000
$8,000
Labor
$79,800
$107,800
Design
$2,000
$5,000
Total
$85,800
$120,800
Materials
$2,000
$2,000
Labor
$21,000
$28,000
Design
$2,000
$5,000
Total
$25,000
$35,000
Materials
$23,500
$49,000
Labor
$438,200
$504,700
Design
$32,000
$84,000
Total
$493,700 $637,700
Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps
Building a Foundation for Life