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Day Trip

Pioneer History

Home >> Explore >> Day Trips >> Pioneers on the Byway

Take a Trip Through Time

Embark on a journey through time along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, where you’ll explore historic landmarks, cultural tales, and the legacies of the area’s early settlers. 

From picturesque resorts to fascinating museums, this day trip offers a glimpse into the rich history of Minnesota’s lakes region.

Start Your Journey: DNR Fire Tower

Location: Just east of Pequot Lakes on CSAH 11 at Paul M Thiede Fire Tower Park

The DNR Fire Tower is a listed National Register Historic Lookout. At the base of the tower, you’ll find the foundations of a former forester’s home—offering a glimpse into the past. Climb the tower for panoramic views and start your exploration of this historic region.

Historic Breezy Point Resort

Location: Breezy Point Resort

Once owned by Captain Billy Fawcett of Whiz Bang Comics fame, Breezy Point Resort hosted Hollywood legends Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. Tour the Fawcett House, wander through the charming Fawcett’s Cottage Hill—dating back over 50 years—and uncover the resort’s storied past.

Step Into Crosslake’s History

Location: Crosslake Historical Society Museum & Historic Village, CSAH 66 & 3

Dive into the lives of the area’s first residents at this historic museum. See the Ideal Schoolhouse (1897), Crosslake’s first Town Hall (1923), a historic livery, and several preserved log homesteads.

Old Grade Road: A Slice of Railroad History

Location: CSAH 1, near the intersection of CSAH 1 and Old Grade Road

The Old Grade Road was once a railroad track bed used in the late 1800s to transport logs. Learn more about this historical route at the interpretive kiosk nearby.

Explore the Northern Trackers Railroad Club

Location: East side of CSAH 66, Crosslake

Continue your journey through railroad history by visiting the Northern Trackers Railroad Club, where you’ll find stories of how trains shaped the region.

Timothy Township Hall: A Historic Schoolhouse

Location: CSAH 1

The old one-room schoolhouse is now Timothy Township Hall, still standing proudly with an outdoor biffy as a quirky piece of the past.

Family Resorts: A Glimpse into the Past

Location: Along CSAH 16

Over a hundred resorts once dotted the Whitefish Chain and the surrounding area. Today, some of these historic resorts remain operational and full of character, with histories dating back to the early 1900s. Visit:

Pequot Lakes Historical Society

Location: Lower level of Cole Memorial Building, Pequot Lakes

Take a stop at the Pequot Lakes Historical Society to discover the town’s history through its extensive displays.

Jenkins: A Growing Memorial

Location: Jenkins Veterans Memorial Park

Explore Jenkins‘ historical ties to the region and witness the ongoing development of the Veterans Memorial Park. Recent additions, such as native pollinator plants and interpretive signage, offer insight into the area’s flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for a future Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway interpretive panel kiosk in the park.

Stroll Through Heath’s Resort

Location: Heath’s Resort, along CSAH 15

Visit the picturesque Heath’s Resort, a family-operated haven for over three generations. Ask about the resort’s famous history with dark house spear-fishing and experience its remarkable legacy.

Norwood Cemetery: The Pioneer Spirit

Location: Norwood Cemetery, CSAH 15

Stroll through the peaceful Norwood Cemetery and reflect on the pioneer families who settled here—many of whom are still honored by the surnames that appear again and again.

Entertainment Junction: The Roaring ‘20s

Location: Intersection of CSAH 44 and CSAH 1

Once a bustling hub of entertainment, this area earned the nickname Entertainment Junction in the 1920s and 1930s. Discover the lively history of this now-calm spot, where dance halls and bars once stood on every corner.

Pine River: A Norman Rockwell Town

Location: Pine River

Known as “still a real town,” Pine River’s charming downtown reflects its past, evoking images of a Norman Rockwell scene. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce for fascinating local history and be sure to visit the restored Pine River Train Depot, an important part of the town’s identity since 2009.

Byway Maps

Get a birdseye view of the byway and surrounding areas. Locate interactive kiosks, bike lanes, Paul’s footprints, parks, trails, beaches and more!

Interactive Overlook Map
Printable Map

Website Sponsors

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Dedicated to Service

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Deep Creative. Powerful Strategy.

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Invest in Today for a Better Tomorrow


Rod Nelson

Logo of Pequot Lakes Area Historical Society featuring a drawing of the Cole Memorial Building and Museum, constructed in 1937, near the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. The text reads, "Remember the past, enrich the future..." Address: P.O. Box 493, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472-0493.
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Logo for Millner Estate Planning featuring the company's name in bold, dark blue lettering. Above the text, several stylized, downward-slanting blue lines suggest motion or progress, akin to the winding paths of the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.

Association Partners

Logo of Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce featuring a stylized blue bull head above the text
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Logo of Pine River Chamber of Commerce featuring a river with three ducks, surrounded by pine trees against a sunset gradient. Text reads
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Text reading