Photo by Lynn Bjorkman

From the Grand Marais Public Library - May 19, 2025

Arnold R. Alanen will join the Grand Marais Public Library on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, for a reading and discussion of his new book The Scenic Route: Building Minnesota’s North Shore, at 6 PM.

The Scenic Route is a field guide to the cultural landscape of the North Shore Scenic Drive, one of the Midwest’s most famous byways. Arnold R. Alanen explores the built environment—from cabins and resorts to parks, logging operations, lighthouses, and beyond—and shares stories from the people who shaped the cultural heritage along Minnesota’s North Shore.

“Arnold R. Alanen’s The Scenic Route solves many mysteries and documents our human imprint on the North Shore in detail,” writes Staci Lola Drouillard, author of Walking the Old Road. “From the early mailruns of John Beargrease to Mineral Center and the Outlaw Bridge, this book connects the people and places along the route to our shared, often complicated history.”

“A superb exploration of the cultural history and built environment of the North Shore,” Tim Cochrane, author of Making the Carry, writes. “Arnold R. Alanen shares how the Highway 61 corridor took shape as well as the stories of the many people who left an imprint with their houses, resorts, businesses, fisheries, churches, and beyond. And he thoroughly documents the succession of structures that once stood along this corridor. The Scenic Route is wonderfully illustrated, but the best part is that Alanen really likes his subject. His concern and appreciation for the cultural landscape of the North Shore shines throughout.”

The presentation will last for one hour, with time for questions and book signing afterwards. This event is free and suitable for all audiences.

In other library events, the Cook County SCRAP Society will host Shelley Getten as guest instructor for its monthly poetry workshop on June 25 at 6 PM. Have questions? Call the library at 218-387-1140 or visit us on the web: grandmaraislibrary.org.