Historical society takes next steps after Two Harbors lighthouse fire

Contributed / Lake County Historical Society By Delia Rose Sauer Today at 1:15 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? TWO HARBORS, Minn. — A fire broke out on the Two Harbors lighthouse grounds Nov. 2. The fog signal building, which housed the gift shop, was saved, but the interior is still covered in ash. Now, the Lake County Historical Society, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, is deciding its next steps. ADVERTISEMENT The Two Harbors lighthouse grounds, which include a light station, keeper’s quarters and the fog signal, were completed in the early 1890s. Visitors could stay at the grounds’ bed-and-breakfast or buy souvenirs inside the fog signal building. Clint Austin / Duluth Media Group file photo Lake County Historical Society Board Chair Sam Gangi called the gift shop one of the most endeared gift shops along the North Shore. The fire was a traumatic sight for not only the society, but the greater Two Harbors community. “Folks would come from all over the country, and quite frankly, all of the world, and comment on just what a unique gift shop it was,” Gangi said. “It had that natural charm.” The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Gangi said authorities are leaning toward a possible mechanical failure involving the heater, but they can’t say for sure until all possibilities are ruled out. The fire marshal and chief said the building remains structurally sound, but the gift shop interior and several walls need repairs. Contributed / Lake County Historical Society The first next step is gathering the society’s board of directors to decide what restoration and repairs will look like. They need to act quickly once the fire marshal gives them the go-ahead in order to secure the building before the harsher winter months roll in. They plan to offer bids for assessing the building and begin raising funds to bring it back to life. “We're a small nonprofit organization, so we don't have big bank reserves,” Gangi said. “The community has already started to step up to help us, and we're hopeful that'll continue, and that we'll be able to get this gift shop back up and running as soon as possible.” ADVERTISEMENT It’s the first fire in the lighthouse’s history that Gangi can recall. But the historical society has a responsibility to be faithful to the site — and ensure its reconstruction echoes its more than 130 years of history. MORE FROM MINNESOTA: Dent mayor-elect suffers life-threatening injuries in accident at Maplewood State Park 2h ago Klobuchar outperforms Trump's 2024 margins in every county 20h ago Minnesota legislative leadership taking shape ahead of 2027 session 1d ago The bed and breakfast is still open for business, with all proceeds going to maintaining and restoring the fog signal building. The skiff house connected to the gift shop will not be available to visitors, although it was undamaged in the fire. The Lake County Historical Society is accepting donations, but Gangi said the best way to support the building’s restoration is by becoming a historical society member. “It’s a labor of love. To see something like this happen, it’s devastating for us,” he said. “But the resiliency and the fortitude of the folks that we have on the board and in our community here to step up and to work through those challenges always amazes me. I have no doubt that we'll get it restored, and we'll do it as a community.” Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags LAKE COUNTY LIGHTHOUSES HISTORICAL FIRES TWO HARBORS By Delia Rose Sauer Delia Rose Sauer started at the Duluth News Tribune in September 2026 as the arts and entertainment reporter. She previously interned at The Miami Herald, where she covered features, tourism and culture. Twitter Instagram Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Health Measles cases continue climbing in Minnesota 22h ago · By Ryan McNamara Minnesota Exploration begins at new central Minnesota children's museum 2d ago · By Theresa Bourke Lifestyle Gert Solum was persistent promoter of Christ to the end 2d ago · By Roxane B. Salonen ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads Fargo Levi Larteh sentenced to 55 years in 2025 apartment stairwell slaying 21h ago · By Tasha Carvell College Matthew Donovan moves into larger room, has upcoming CT scan, father says 6h ago · By Forum staff Moorhead Moorhead City Council signs off on plan to sell River View Heights 17h ago · By Ingrid Harbo West Fargo West Fargo racer says Bonneville crash ‘changed everything’ 19h ago · By Kevin Wallevand