The community is invited to provide input on adaptive reuse of a historic structure located in the Superior National Forest
Isabella, Minnesota – The Isabella Section House, a historic structure located in Lake County in the northeast corner of the state, is the focus of an exciting effort called the Isabella Section House Reimagined project. Originally built in 1948 by the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railroad, this site along the Highway 1 corridor between the North Shore and Ely has served various roles throughout the logging and railroad eras. Now, a suite of project partners, including the National Forest Foundation and the Superior National Forest, are seeking community input to explore potential future uses for the Section House, which has fallen into disrepair but remains eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
The project aims to gather public input on how the Section House can be innovatively repurposed to benefit the Isabella area, potentially as an outdoor recreation hub. Additional partners include the National Park Service, Quantified Ventures L.L.C., and Iowa State University. Public engagement is currently underway and will continue through September 30, 2025. Following this period, the input will be reviewed, and if viable and financially self-sustaining options are identified, a business plan will be developed to help guide the project’s next steps.
Community involvement is crucial to the success of the Isabella Section House Reimagined project. Residents, visitors, and the public are encouraged to participate by exploring a virtual tour of the Section House and by providing feedback through an online information hub. This is a unique opportunity for the community to shape the future of a beloved local landmark, ensuring it continues to serve the area in meaningful ways.
For more information and to get involved, please visit the Isabella Section House Hub Site or contact the project partners at sm.fs.superior_partnerships@usda.gov.
Hub Site: isabella-reimagined-nff.hub.arcgis.com
