Wheels of History Museum

Trains of the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic RR connected the flour mills of Minnesota with the Sault and the East Coast. Once brought logs through Brimley to the lakefront sawmill town of Bay Mills and took finished lumber to distant markets. The Bay Mills-Brimley Historical Research Society was instrumental in restoring the Point Iroquois lighthouse. Now it has turned its attention to the local history of railroading, fishing, Hall & Munson and other logging companies, milling, and early telephones, all richly represented here.
It occupies a wooden coach (from 1900 or earlier) from the Algoma Central Railroad, and a wooden caboose circa 1890 with the gift shop and information center. A new, three-quarter scale replica of the 1897 Brimley depot now allows for space for special exhibits. The panoramic photos of the sprawling, smoke-belching Bay Mills townsite, now almost completely vanished, give rise to contemplation of the transience of man's endeavors. Picnic tables and a pavilion are in the adjacent park.

M-221 at Depot St. in "downtown" Brimley's pocket park. From Lake Shore, turn south onto M-221 just west of the river mouth. (906) 248-3665. Open mid-May thru mid-Oct. From mid-May thru mid-June open Sat and Sun 10-4. From June-Labor Day open Wed-Sun 10-4. Then thru Oct 15 open Sat and Sun 10-4. Free entry. Donations and purchases much appreciated.
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