Beaver Crossing (Old Illgen City)

Some miles southwest of Finland, and near where the North Alger Grade, now a snowmobile trail, runs, sits the remains of Beaver Crossing, also known as Old Illgen City. An old point of call on the Two Harbors-Beaver Bay sleigh road, which ran near the Alger Lineand just north of now road number 3, out of Two Harbors, it was home to a hotel, place to eat, and a number of remote cabins and nearby stables for the Alger-Smith lumber company, started in 1898 and was headquartered out of Knife River by 1899. The Alger Smith Logging Company ceased logging operations in 1919 and closed its headquarters in Knife River and the Duluth & Northern Minnesota railroad literally “pulled up the tracks” in 1921. This is around when the innkeeper locked the door and moved to the present location of Illgen City.

Foundations, and some pieces from the fallen structures can be seen… if you locate the site.  

NOTE: Location Marked is estimated for exploration purposes.

Some Vanished Settlements of the Arrowhead

Content compiled from a  number of sources, to include the links below. Many of the old ghost towns are unknown or unpublished to their exact location. PHOTO: Breaking out the road at the Alger Smith & Company camp number eight, Cook County. Photographer: William F. Roleff (1873-1943) – Photograph Collection, 1916 – Collections Online Minnesota Historical Society – Location no. HD5.21 p7 Negative no. 161

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