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The History of Cook

The History of Cook, Minnesota

Pioneer Settlers and Early Homesteading (1900-1903)

In 1900, the first homesteaders arrived in what is now Cook, Minnesota. The Native American tribes referred to the area as Ashawa, a term used for a stopping place along their travels to and from Lake Vermilion. The first settlers included:

  • John & Martha Olson: They homesteaded on 160 acres northeast of what is now Cook. This land became home to the Cook School and the First Baptist Church.
  • Abel & Klara Pearson: Their homestead lay directly south of Olson’s land. Today, their homestead is home to the Cook Community Hospital, Homestead Apartments, and newer houses in the town.
  • Karl & Ellen Engdall: They homesteaded to the west of Olson’s property, extending north of the river to Ashawa Road. In 1904, the railroad crossed their land.

The first white baby born in this area was Florence Olson, born on June 8, 1902, to John and Martha Olson.

The Railroad and the Naming of Ashawa (1903-1909)

In 1903, Charles McGaginnis filed the Plat of Ashawa, which covered the downtown area of Cook. It included land from Karl Engdall’s homestead. August Buboltz bought the townsite from McGaginnis in 1909, marking the beginning of Cook’s commercial expansion.

The arrival of the railroad in 1903 proved crucial to the town’s growth. The railroad crossed the Little Fork River, providing essential water for the steam engines. The river was dammed beneath the bridge, allowing the trains to fill their water tanks. On December 21, 1903, the first train arrived in Cook, and on December 31, 1903, the first passenger train arrived. The fare was $2.50 one way. The railroad enabled the Virginia Rainy Lake Lumber Company to purchase logs from the area, boosting the local economy. Many settlers earned their livelihood by cutting timber and selling it to the sawmill.

The First Businesses and Establishments (1903-1909)

In 1903, James Gar Field published the first newspaper, Northland Farmer, in a tent between the drug store and the lumber yard. By December 31, 1903, August Buboltz arrived on the first passenger train. He quickly constructed the first hotel and saloon, which opened on March 4, 1904. The hotel stood on what is now the parking lot next to Clark’s IGA.

In 1903, John & Algot Anderson built the first store, a log building that still stands today. It currently serves as a tool rental business.

Name Change to Cook (1908-1926)

The town originally went by Ashawa, a name that reflected its position by the river. However, in 1908, the town’s name changed to Cook to avoid confusion with Oshawa, a village in southern Minnesota. The new name honored Wirth Cook, a Duluth lumber dealer and railroad official who helped bring the railroad through the area.

Cook’s Incorporation and Growth (1926-1930s)

On May 13, 1926, Cook officially became an incorporated village. The first election had 93 voters. George Frances became the first President of Cook, while Adolph Johnson, O.J. Leding, and Verner Bergren were elected as trustees. A.H. Erickson became the village clerk, Walter Freudenberg served as Justice of the Peace, and Carl Nelson became the Constable.

John & Emma Edblom and the Leander Community

John Edblom, an immigrant from Sweden, arrived in the U.S. in 1887 and settled in Tower, Minnesota. He later traveled with his friend Peter Leanderson in 1893 to find suitable land. They both homesteaded in the area that later became known as the Leander Community.

John and Emma Johnson Edblom applied for U.S. citizenship in 1901. By 1894, they had settled in the Leander Community. Their homestead consisted of a log house, a barn, and cleared land. They also raised livestock, including 14 head of cattle, two horses, and 35 chickens. John applied for a homestead patent in 1901.

Adolph Johnson and the Lindsey Family

  • Adolph Carl Johnson immigrated from Sweden in 1913. He later became the Deputy Sheriff for St. Louis County. He and Verner Bergren established a bus line between Cook and Virginia in 1917. Adolph married Viola Kjellberg, daughter of Charles and Augusta Anderson Kjellberg, immigrants from Sweden.
  • George & Mary Lindsey arrived in Cook in 1904. They settled 11 miles west of Cook in Linden Grove, where George established the first post office. The Lindsey family farmed and played a crucial role in building the area’s early infrastructure.

Cook’s Growth in the Mid-20th Century (1930s-1940s)

  • The Cook Public Library opened in 1930, thanks to the efforts of the Cook Women’s Club.
  • In 1944, Cook established its first municipal liquor store.
  • 1947: The first Timber Days celebration took place, a community event that continues to celebrate Cook’s logging heritage.

Developments in the Late 20th Century (1950s-1970s)

  • 1951: The Cook News Herald began publishing, providing a local voice for the community.
  • In 1970, the Cook Volunteer Ambulance Service was established, marking a significant improvement in emergency services in the town.
  • During the 1970s, Cook saw the establishment of businesses like the Simonson Chevrolet dealership and the Northwoods Dairy Bar.

Recent Developments (1980s-Present)

  • 1990s: The Cook Area Credit Union was formed in 1994, and the Cook Library relocated to a new building in 1995.
  • 2000: The Cook General Hospital was destroyed by fire on January 22, but it was later rebuilt into a modern healthcare facility.
  • 2003: The Cook Area Dental Clinic expanded, providing vital healthcare to the local community.
  • 2010: Renovations to Cook Memorial Park were completed, creating a central location for community events.

Key Locations, Events, and People

  1. Pioneer Settlers:
    • John & Martha Olson, Abel & Klara Pearson, Karl & Ellen Engdall
  2. Key Establishments:
    • Cook’s First Store: Built by John & Algot Anderson in 1903.
    • First Hotel: Built by August Buboltz in 1904, destroyed by fire in 1912.
    • Cook’s First Post Office: Established in 1903, renamed Cook in 1908.
    • Cook Cemetery: Founded in 1905.
    • Cook’s First Bank: Established in 1910.
    • Cook’s First School: Built in 1904, closed in 1920.
  3. Significant Events:
    • 1903: Arrival of the first train, publication of the first local newspaper.
    • 1908: Ashawa renamed to Cook.
    • 1926: Cook incorporated as a village.
    • 1970: Establishment of the Cook Volunteer Ambulance Service.