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I Home I History I

Pine River History
Add your own piece of Pine River History

Original painting by Tom Ottoson, Pine River Alumni
Pine River Depot As It Looked Circa 1913

Pine River owes much of it's history to the pine, particularly the white pine. The pine forests stretching across the state from the shores of the "big sea water" to the plains of the "American Desert" contained thousands of square miles of the finest timber east of the Pacific Northwest.

Found near the center of this mammoth forest preserve, located in the giant forest-fertile crescent formed by the headwaters of the Mississippi River and flowing through many termed "the richest stand of timber in the Old Northwest," is a river memorialized by early explorers as "The Pine".

And at the place where it's two major tributaries, the South Fork and Norway Brook, merge to form this majestic stream a peppery Scotsman founded a trading post in 1873, then a ranch followed by a hotel. Later cam a railroad, then a town - and finally a prosperous city.

Within two years after the Northern Pacific Railway had bridged the Mississippi River at "The Crossing" (Now Brainerd), George Angus Barclay established the first permanent trading post on the Pine River. From this site grew the village, which eventually took the name of the river and became "Pine River".
- from the "Logsleds to Snowmobiles"

This page is dedicated to all those who love history, like I do. Feel free to add to this section as you would like and as space permits. Most anything historical will happily be added to this section.

Amber Harris Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Grand Rapids
Amberharris@mchsi.com

My family is from Pine River. I am the grandaughter of Herman and Clara Weiss and Florence and George Prigge. My Papa Weiss owned the Shoe Shop across from the Red Owl in town until my uncle Richard took it over and then sold the property. My roots are in this town. I started my education at Pine River with Principal Rinke and his daughter was in my class. My uncle owns property where the river meets the lake and those are very cherished memories. Both of my grandfathers are gone now, but I still remember Pine River as my homestead. I am now a nurse and cry alot with the dying, wishing I was back where I grew up on the quiet shores when life was carefree. Memories and history hold me there happily. Keep it beautiful!

Amber Harris (Prigge)

 

Monday, July 21, 2003 at 23:37:20
Mazama, Wa.
tsnopson@hotmail.com

Added History: My Father came to Pine River in early 1900s with his Mother {Olava} and his stepfather Nels Larson and a brother and sister. My father's name was Adolf  S. Nopson { Otto }.They lived there for many years. He met my Mother there { Hilda O. Haugen } they both worked in the saw mills. They took the train to Walker on Dec. 25th 1917 to get married. Nels and Olava lived there the rest of their lives, and raised many more children.           Tully Nopson

 

Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Marylynn Corry Fitgerald
Vienna, VA.
e-mail: mcfitz11@verizon.net

My grandparents lived and died in Pine River. I truly think of it as their little piece in heaven and, I think they did as well. I remember visiting for summers and how relaxing and fun it was to be in the North Woods. To me Pine River will always hold wonderful memories of summer and family fun.