History of Gordon The earliest evidence of human activity at what is now Gordon was a campsite found during construction of a new lane on the Highway 53 Expressway. It dated back to the Paleo-Indian period of between 5,000 – 8,000 B.C. 

 

At the time of the first recorded European writings, a permanent Ojibwe village existed on the Upper St. Croix River near the Gordon Dam, then known as Namai-Kowagon (meaning “Sturgeon”.) It was led by Chief Kabemappa who served as chief of the entire Upper St. Croix and thus was the signer of many important treaties from 1825 to 1847.  His village was a frequent stopping place and wintering post for fur traders since it was located along an important travel route beteween Lake Superior and the Mississippi River watersheds. This trail would eventually lead to the development of the townsite we now know as Gordon. The town's main street, Moccasin Avenue, is a segment of that early route. In 1844, it became an official United States Postal route.

Antoine Gordon (1812-1907) and his wife, Sarah Dingley Gordon (1827 - 1911) first settled at this location in 1858. They were both Metis, being the children of American Fur Trade fathers and Ojibwe mothers. Here they  built a log trading post, store and home by the Eau Claire River along the Trail to La Pointe, at the Ojibwe/Metis village of Amick. The Amick Post Office was established here on September 12, 1860.  When the Omaha railroad came through in 1881 the station, and subsequently the town, were named “Gordon."

 

The coming of the railroad resulted in the demise of the old Trail to LaPointe, and the community reoriented itself towards the burgeoning lumber industry in Stillwater, MN that was about to boom in our Northwoods.  Gordon’s location was significant to the lumbermen as the log drives coming down from Lake St. Croix in one direction met the logs coming down from the Eau Claire Lakes, and these collected in what is now the Gordon Flowage.  After the lumber boom was over, the lands were sold off relatively cheaply to homesteaders who tried to make a go of agriculture, but eventually went bust due to the sandy soils and droughts of the 1930’s.   The towns of Gordon and Wascott then began to capitalize upon their beautiful lakes and woods, transforming themselves into the tourist and recreational destinations that we know today.

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History of Wascott  Wascott was initially a part of Gordon until the Town of Wascott was established in 1910. As you explore present day Wascott, you will discover interesting remnants of its early years. In the Northwest area, there remains the copper mines once worked by the pioneer miners. Third and fourth generation forests will remind you of the once booming logging business here. Occasionally, in the woods you will discover the remains of an old logging camp or trading post - rusty pots and pans, a miniature flat iron or parts of old boots.

 

A visit to the Wascott Kreide Cemetery which was established over a century ago will reveal pioneer family names. If you look closely, you will find a Civil War veteran amongst the WW1 and WW2 veterans’ graves.

 

At the turn of the last century, Wascott was a stopping place for railroads. In fact, the town’s name is derived from a W.A Scott, an official of the Chicago/St.Paul/Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad.

 

Wascott’s Town Hall was constructed of cedar logs in 1942 as a WPA project. There is a massive stone fireplace inside. In recent years, a kitchen and large addition have been added to accommodate local events. Across the road is the Wascott Historical Park consisting of the Community Church which was built in 1914, and the Hoffman one-room country schoolhouse dating back to 1896.

 

Wascott’s 54 major lakes once attracted settlers establishing farms, trading posts, sleeping accommodations  and later, small businesses to serve tourists coming by train. Today, it has become a popular tourist destination for people wishing to enjoy the lakes, woods, ATV and snowmobile trails.