Monday, May 19, 2014

Bad Medicine Lake

I knew that this marker existed someplace.  It is in the upper parking lot of the north public access.  We found it one day this spring.  Chance seems to know when I need him for a photo op!

Chance at Bad Medicine Lake

Sometimes you can drive by these markers all the time and never really see them.

Bad Medicine Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Minnesota. 

Bad medicine lake May 4

The Laurentian Divide is very near the historical marker.  North of this spot the water in rivers empties into Hudson Bay and the Artic Ocean, south of here water empties into the Mississippi River and flows south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Bad Medicine Lake has no inlet or outlet, it is spring fed.

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Bad Medicine Lake also called the Lake of the Valley, was originally known to the Ojibway Indians as Ga-wimbadjiwegameq (Lake lying in a mountain depression).  Among the many stories about the  name’s origin are legends of serpentine fish and monster pike that dwelt in the blue-green depths.

Bad Medicine is one of the clearest and least polluted lakes in Minnesota.  It is entirely spring fed and has no inlet or outlet.  The Laurentian Divide separating the Hudson Bay and Mississippi watersheds crosses Minnesota Highway 113 about one and one half miles west of this marker.

Between 1904 and 1918 the Nichols-Chisholm Lumber Company cut most of the majestic White and Norway Pine stands that surrounded the lake.  The pine logs were hauled to Commonwealth Landing on Elbow Lake, and from there they were carried in massive spring drives down the Ottertail River to the company mill at Frazee.  Old Headquarters logging camp, near Long Lost Lake, was the hub of and extensive network of standard gauge railroad lines used to haul the logs.  The outlines of rotting ties still mark the locations of the railway beds in surrounding forests.  Blackened stumps and fire scarred pines are mute reminders of the huge forest fires of 1918 which followed the logging operations.

Erected by the residents of Bad Medicine Lake  1985

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The lake itself has about five miles of shoreline and covers about 800 acres.

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18 comments:

Intense Guy said...

I almost wish they still called the lake, Ga-wimbadjiwegameq...

troutbirder said...

Unusual name for such a clear lake. But most importantly is the fishing any good?.....:)

Anonymous said...

Nice! It's wonderful to know that there is still a bit of clean water. xox

linda m said...

What a beautiful lake. And to think it has relatively little to no pollution. Thank you for sharing this with us. Nice pose Chance.

DJan said...

It is truly a beautiful lake. I tried to read the sign and then realized you had written it all out for me! :-)

lisa said...

Awesome. We have lots of those markers in New York, and you are right; most people just ignore them and don't realize what kind of history they actually tell!

Nancy said...

It's beautiful.

With no inlet or outlet, it makes a statement about why it is not polluted.

Cynthia said...

I kinda like the original name of the lake, but I imagine the spelling would be a bit of a problem. :-)

Muffie said...

What a beautiful lake! That crystal blue color screams unpolluted.

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous colour that lake is.

kathy b said...

Bad Medicine looks like perfect Medicine for the soul to me

Red said...

You have been picking up some interesting bits of history lately.

Jacqi Stevens said...

What a beautiful, blue lake! It must be pristine.

Chance certainly knows when to strike a pose!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

This is a beautiful lake! I think it should be called Good Medicine, though. :)

Karen said...

Interesting bit of history....and funny name for what is a very good lake:)

Terry and Linda said...

I enjoyed this historical post very much. And the view of the lake is outstanding!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife@wordpress.com

Unknown said...

Nice how was it that owned the resort across from Uncle Adolph's

Sam I Am...... said...

Fascinating history. I love information like this and thank you for the tour as I am now an "armchair"traveler". I am very partial to the midwest too...the northern part. LOL!