Kerri Kolstad
Logging was the bread and butter industry in much of Minnesota in the late 1880’s and early 1900’s.  As pioneers settled in the area the demand for timber grew as farming popped up throughout the region.  So needless to say, logging companies commanded a lot of power, but it took a 24 year old, Mary Gibb’s to save Itasca State Park’s virgin cedar and pine.

Bicyclist leaving the Mary Gibbs, Mississippi Headwaters Center

When her father,  John Gibb’s, Itasca’s park commissioner died suddenly in 1903, Mary, serving as secretary to her father was appointed the new park commissioner by Minnesota Governor, Samuel Van Sant.  Not more than two months into her new role, nine million board feet of lumber floated in Lake Itasca with no way to get over the dam that flowed into the Mississippi River.  The Brainerd Lumber Company got approval to shut the dam so that water would rise, but with a stipulation that it would be opened once the park was in danger.

With that much lumber to move, the lake level crept to over 3 feet above the dam and it didn’t take long for word of this to spread to park headquarters.  Mary visited the loggers with the warrant stating the violation of the state law protecting the park.  Even though her life was threatened if she opened the dam, she attempted it on her own…even though it took six men to finally lift the lever and open the dam.

One week later, the governor appointed a new park commissioner, so Mary resigned.  She held her position a mere three months and moved to Canada where she lived to 104 years of age. She never set foot in Itasca State Park again, but here efforts were never forgotton.

In 2005, a $2.5 milllion dollar center was built near the Mississippi River Headwaters in honor of Mary Gibbs “who saved the forests of Itasca”.

Hear more stories like Mary’s by local historians during the Headwaters of the Mississippi River Tour: a 7-day, 6-night and 4-day bike ride that travels the Mississippi River from Itasca State Park to Grand Rapdis.  There are still opening in the July  and August scheduled tours.

For further information e-mail Kerry at: [email protected] for more details.
Kerri Kolstad, founder of Wahoo! Adventures motto is “Get Outside an Play” and they offers a variety of ways to get you outdoors.