The Green Door is committed to preserving its historical building and ensuring it thrives for many years to come. This commitment kicked off with a major indoor renovation recently, followed by plans for exterior improvements next summer.
From November 9th through the 21st, significant work was completed inside The Green Door. The floor behind the bar, the entrance way, and the off-sale liquor area were all replaced. This project had been planned since the beginning of the summer, as the team carefully selected the closure time, secured the right contractors, and aligned everyone’s schedules to ensure a smooth, drawback-free execution. The City of Beaver Bay provided crucial support and funding for this important project.
The Green Door team is tackling the building’s refurbishment one project at a time. The next major undertaking is planned for next summer, focusing on the exterior of the building. The goal is to: fix, update, and clean up the exterior, make the building weather-proof and up to current code. Ensuring it is welcoming to all visitors and locals.
The team is dedicated to preserving the bar’s historical significance: The off-sale addition was added back in 2017-2018. The bar’s countertop was updated years ago and features beautiful engravings by Kelley High School students. The original historical photos have been relocated to a different spot within the bar to ensure their preservation. A long-term goal is to collect more historical photos related to Beaver Bay to create a stunning “Wall of History” for everyone to enjoy.
The folks at the Green Door sincerely appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as they work to get the establishment back on its feet. They look forward to the continued support of the City of Beaver Bay as they move forward with these vital preservation and improvement projects.
The Green Door is a cherished gem on the North Shore of Minnesota, nestled in a vibrant tourist area known for its breathtaking waterfalls, hiking trails, and fishing spots. The Green Door Bar and Liquor Store offers a unique, lively, and welcoming environment. It was originally a schoolhouse from 1928 to 1954. Today, whether you are looking to enjoy a craft beer, pick up beverages to go, reminisce with old friends, or make new memories, The Green Door is the place.
The Green Door’s mission is to create a welcoming environment and host more family-friendly community events while maintaining the historical roots upon which Beaver Bay was built.
The history of Beaver Bay is a rich tapestry, starting long before roads existed. In the early days, travelers arrived by water: canoe, rowboats, sailing vessels, or steamers. Settlers saw unlimited opportunities in this remote village, which had only recently been acquired by the United States government from the Chippewa, or Ojibway Indians.
A local historian, Ed Maki, created a timeline that beautifully illustrates this rich history, some key dates of which are highlighted below:
- 1854, September 30 – The Treaty of LaPointe opens the Minnesota Arrowhead Region for settlement and mineral exploration.
- 1854, October – Surveyor, Thomas Clark, along with Robert McLean, set up camp at the mouth of the Beaver River. McLean later becomes postmaster.
- 1856, June 24 – Thomas Clark files a plat for the settlement of Beaver Bay in St Louis County.
- 1856, June 24 – The steamer Illinois brings the first settlers to Beaver Bay.
- 1858 – President James Buchan an signs the act admitting Minnesota to the Union.
- 1858 – Beaver Bay’s first Indian settlers establish summer residences on the east bank of the Beaver River, including the family of John Beargrease.
- 1859 – School organized in Beaver Bay with Christian Wieland as superintendent and Jennie Clark as first teacher.
- 1877 – Schoolhouse at Beaver Bay destroyed by fire. Value set at $300.00.
- 1879 – John Beargrease begins a 20-year career as a mail carrier between Two Harbors and Grand Marais.
- 1900 – Beaver Bay residents in a poll voted 17-0 against the sale of malt liquors.
- 1910, August 10 – John Beargrease dies and is buried in Beaver Bay.
- 1920 – Minneapolis business men establish a club on Beaver Bay’s point.
- 1923 – Mary MacDonald opens the Beaver Bay Lodge for tourists travelling the new Highway 61.
- 1928 – Lake County School District #381 is organized, and the Beaver Bay school is built.
- 1930 – Bus service for high school students begins between Beaver Bay and Two Harbors.
- 1932 – Lake County Historical Society erects a marker at the Chippewa Cemetery where John Beargrease is buried. 1947, December 18 – Taconite plant at Beaver Bay is approved by the state water pollution control commission.
- 1951, September 27 – Reserve Mining Co. leases contracts for building a taconite plant and housing for employees. It is known as the Beaver Bay Housing Project.
- 1953, August 5 – Beaver Bay, by a vote of 27-20, incorporates as a village.
- 1953, September 15 – Art Lorntson elected as the first mayor of Beaver Bay.
- 1953 – Beaver Bay Liquor Store opens in the new Beaver Bay Shopping Center.
- 1953, September 30 – 1953, Beaver Bay’s telephone switch board closes as the phone system is converted to direct dial.
- 1953 – The new Beaver Bay School (Campton Elementary School) is under construction. The $750,000 school is paid for by Reserve Mining Company.
- 1954, May 1 – New town of Silver Bay is officially named by the US Postal Service.
- 1954 – Beaver Bay School closes for good at the end of the school year.
- 1955 – Beaver Bay School used for church services.
- 1955 – Beaver Bay Municipal Liquor Store opens in Beaver Bay School with the city office in the basement. Profits to go toward municipal water.(The Green Door).
- 1958 – Beaver Bay Fire Department organizes.
- 1958 – Fire department has its first annual smelt fry at the Green Door. Profit is $354.78.
- 1959, August 10 – Beaver Bay Fire Department receives per mission from the Beaver Bay Club to erect a firehall on property they own.
- 1962 – Basement of the Green Door is remodeled, and the kitchen is enlarged.
- 1964 – The Green Door is robbed of $5,800.00.
- 1974 – Beaver Bay incorporated as a city.
- 1986 – Beaver Bay and Silver Bay celebrate 130 and 30-year anniversaries as Reserve announces it is closing.
- 1995 – Cove Point Lodge opens in Beaver Bay.
- 1999, January 18 – Construction begins on the new $800,000 Community Center where the Beaver Bay Lodge once stood.
- 2003 – Beaver Bay celebrates 50 years of incorporation with a parade, street dance, and rides on the Grampa Woo.
- 2003 – Cove Point Crossings opens in Beaver Bay.
- 2005 – A cornerstone was laid at the Beaver Bay Community Center by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota.
- 2014 – Groundbreaking for the Beaver Bay rest stop.
- 2016 – Beaver Bay hosts its first Rhythm and Roots Festival, organized by the Beaver Bay Community Association.
- 2018 – Gitchee Gami Bike Trail section between Beaver Bay and Silver Bay dedicated.
It is clear that the hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off in the effort to grow Beaver Bay into a welcoming community. With destinations to enjoy and community members to gather together.
