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Fergus Falls State Hospital

In the late 1880's, overcrowding at Minnesota's two main psychiatric facilities prompted the state to begin looking at the construction of a third. The legislature passed a bill allocating $24,280 for the purchase of 596 acres of land, and a further $70,000 for construction of the required buildings.

Quincy Stamp Mill

The original stamp mill was located close to Houghton, on Portage Lake. Runoff silt from the mill went into the lake, however, and threatened navigation in this important channel. The government threatened heavy fines and so the mill was moved.

Houghton County Poorhouse

Information is a little scant on this location, but I have found reference to a facility being here as early as January 18, 1872.

Mid-Canada Line Test Site 012

At the early phase of the Cold War, the primary perceived threat was waves of Soviet bombers flying over the arctic to rain nuclear horror down upon North America. A line of radar stations across Canada, the Pinetree Line, was constructed to detect such an attack. But shortcomings in this line were being identified even before construction had been completed.

Observatory House

From what I've been able to piece together, this building was originally constructed as a dedicated observatory for the Canadian Astronomical Research Group in 1976. The equipment, apparently including a 24" telescope, was removed in 1997, and the building converted into a private home.

Buffalo Central Terminal

Serving a mere 50 years, the Buffalo Central Terminal was built in 1929 by the New York Central Railroad. A single unified rail station had been proposed on this site since 1889, but it wasn't for another 40 years that it would finally happen.

Physical Culture Hotel

Interestingly, the story here begins as far back as 1798. Early settlers apparently heard loud, booming noises coming from the nearby hillside. With that, a new spring had burst forth through the rock and created a freshwater stream that would play a role in the town for a long time to come.

Calumet AFS

Calumet Air Force Station began operations in 1953 as part of the second wave of construction of such sites. It opened with AN/FPS-3 and AN/FPS-5 radars. In 1956, an AN/FPS-6 height-finder radar was installed, and 1958 saw further improvement with the installation of the AN/FPS-20 search radar.

Antigo AFS

Operations began here on May 1, 1951 with the 676th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. They began with an AN/FPS-3 search radar and in June, 1952, acquired an AN/FPS-4 height-finder.

Quincy Mine

The Quincy Mining Company was formed in 1846 as the result of a clerical error. During the great mining rush of the area, the same piece of land was inadvertently sold to two different parties. After discussions between the directors of the two interests, it was decided they should merge their interests and proceed.