A log cabin, which housed the first printing press at the head of Lake Superior. Process print after a lithograph of 1855.
- Date:
- [between 1900 and 1999?]
- Reference:
- 40666i
- Pictures
- Online
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Publication/Creation
Mankato, Minn[esota] : John C. Wise, [between 1900 and 1999?] (Minneapolis [Minnesota] : The Minneapolis Engraving Co.)
Physical description
1 print : process print ; image 12.x 17.8 cm
Lettering
First printing office at the head of Lake Superior.
Lettering continues: "This log cabin was the first house built on the site of the present city of Superior. The late Col. D. A. Robertson, of St. Paul, contracted with Jos. Laundry to build it, and in October, 1853, he put up the logs, placed the roof on and laid the puncheon floor. In November Mr. August Zachau finished it. It was about 20 by 30 feet, eight foot walls, and the roof was of four layers of cedar shakes, made by hand, and each about three feet long. The walls were chinked with moss and clay, the floor of tamerack puncheons, and sealed inside with split cedar. The poles on the roof were where the shingles joined, and intended to keep them in place. The building was occupied by Mr. Zachau during the winter of 1853-4, during the summer and fall by Col. Robertson and family, and being the only suitable building vacant in the spring of 1855, was occupied by Washington Ashton and John C. Wise, editors and publishers of the Chronicle, the first paper printed at the head of the lake, the initial number of which was issued in May of that year. The northerly half was the printing office and the other half used for a dwelling. The picture is from a lithograph made from a photograph taken in 1855, and is a faithful representation of the original."
Reference
Wellcome Collection 40666i
Type/Technique
Languages
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed stores