Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook Rehabilitation (306a-03-08)

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Minnesotas Lake Superior Coastal Program

Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook Rehabilitation

Prepared by: Vera Westrum OstromMinnesota Department of Transportation

21 August 2009

Project No. 306A-03-08

Contract No. A92546

This project was funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, byNOAAs Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with

Minnesotas Lake Superior Coastal Program.


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MLSCP- Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook Rehabilitation- Final Report Project No. 306A-03-08 Contract No. A92546 21 August 2009

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has acknowledged theMinnesotas Lake Superior Coastal Program with the following text as shown onthe interpretive sign panel (see Appendix B):

This project was funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAAs Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesotas Lake Superior Coastal Program.

INTRODUCTIONThe Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook, eligible for listing on the National Registerof Historic Places, was in complete disrepair. The wall was missing significantportions of stone. Intermediate stone piers were broken, missing stone andtwisted on their foundations. Existing iron railings were rusted and missing.Repairs throughout the years appeared to be inconsistent and poorly done.

Wooden parking overlook signs were missing from the stone columns locatedat each end of the wall. Existing bituminous had become worn and unevenlysettled, holding water to further deteriorate the pavement. Trees had becomeovergrown to the extent they blocked the views to the Split Rock Lighthouse.

In 2007-2008, the Gitchi Gami State Trail had been constructed just beyond thehistoric marker, which caused some visitors to make foot paths between themarker and the trail.

Unfortunately, the degree of disrepair may have invited other visitors to causeeven further damage, evidenced by additional stone being pried off the wall andthrown downhill or perhaps satisfy the desire to pick up souvenir rock from theNorth Shore.

The intent of the project was to rehabilitate the Overlook to its former glory andrestore it to the popular wayside rest it once was before it was beyond repair.The Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook, restored to meet the Secretary of theInteriors Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, serves as a safeplace for motorists to stop and contributes to the natural and cultural qualitiesthat make Lake Superiors North Shore Scenic Drive a destination in itself.


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were torn down to the extent that the existing structure was stable enough inorder to start the renovation process.

New work included walk and parking bay pavement repair, new concrete curband a new curb ramp to provide improved pedestrian access. Existing stepsleading to the terrace overlook had settled unevenly and required mudjacking torestore their original elevation. New pavement at terrace seating area wassloped to direct water away from stone walls.

Existing stone was salvaged and replaced whenever possible to reconstructstone piers and markers. The historic wall was cleaned and tuck pointed. Newinterpretive signage was fabricated and installed. The interpretive sign, designedwith assistance from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), explains thehistory of the Split Rock Lighthouse, the North Shore Scenic Drive, and theoverlook itself. Wooden parking overlook signs, replicates of signage shown inoriginal plans, were fabricated and replaced.

To open up the view toward Split Rock Lighthouse, clearing and removal ofexisting overgrown vegetation was coordinated between Mn/DOT landscapespecialists in Duluth and DNR park specialists in Two Harbors. The lakesideslope between the historic wall and the Gitchi Gami Trail was replanted withnative perennials and woody shrubs to discourage foot traffic.

RESULTSOriginally built in the early 1950s, the newly reconstructed Split Rock LighthouseOverlook should serve area visitors for another sixty years as a place of respite.The Overlook offers the opportunity for motorists to safely pull off the road andtake in the scenic views of Lake Superior and the Split Rock Lighthouse; to learnabout the history behind the Lighthouse, North Shore Scenic Drive and the

Overlook.

Weve coordinated the project with park managers and specialists from the DNR,the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) and staff from the Mn/DOT Duluthheadquarters. This collaboration builds on the strength of working relationshipsbetween state agencies; providing efficiencies and being more productive when


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LEVERAGED DOLLARSMn/DOT headquarters in Duluth (District 1) provided a match of $ 195,217.00 .This financial match of Coastal Grant dollars was applied to the cost ofconstruction and the hiring of an historic architect; Michael Burns Architects, Ltd.Mr. Burns assisted in providing construction management and technical expertiseduring the historic rehabilitation of the overlook.

Mr. Burns had also prepared renovation plans for construction, which was fundedby an earlier Coastal Program grant.

Scenic Byway funding in the amount of $149,975 was also received for the SplitRock Lighthouse Overlook Rehabilitation, and will be used to provide furtherrenovation of the site.

CONCLUSIONSDue to unexpected project delays, reconstruction of the Overlook was notcompleted by the Coastal Gant expiration date of June 30, 2009. A substantialpunch-list is scheduled for September 2, 2009, with project completionanticipated to be in mid-September.

To summarize, we learned the importance of fully documenting the renovationprocess so that any future repairs can be approached more knowledgably.

One challenge included trying to identify the types of stone that were part of theoriginal construction. Split Rock Overlook is atypical in that stone found in thishistoric marker is indigenous to different parts of the state; not just what is foundlocally.

Given that the contract award came in lower than the engineers estimate, itwould have been beneficial to structure the bid package to include alternates.Alternates could have provided additional site improvements while staying withinproject budget.

We feel very fortunate that the Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook Rehabilitationproject received funding when it did. The construction documents had beencompleted a few years prior to receiving funding to complete the construction
http:///reader/full/195,217.00http:///reader/full/195,217.00


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Success of this project is dependent on the qualifications and dedication of thehistoric consultant and the expertise of a contractor skilled at historic restoration.It is difficult to find the kind of craftsmen that take enough care and pride in theirwork to the extent shown in the Split Rock rehabilitation.

It is anticipated that Trunk Highway 61 will be realigned in the next year or so inthe vicinity of the Overlook. Additional leverage of Scenic Byway funds could help

pay for full replacement of the parking bay pavement at the overlook.

Scenic Byway funds will be used to pay for the burying of the Qwest utility line,which had previously run directly overhead the historic wayside rest.

Scenic Byway funds could help pay for the purchase of the adjacent privateproperty to the south, and demolition of abandoned structures currently on site.The purchase of the adjacent private property may serve as an appropriatesetting for the historic marker if restored to its original condition at the time theSplit Rock Lighthouse Overlook was built.


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APPENDIX A

PHOTOGRAPHS

Plaque base and piers, August 2005 Photo: Mn/DOTSplit Rock Overlook, 1955 Photo: Minnesota Historical Society

North sign pier, September 2005 Photo: Mn/DOTPier, April 2008 Photo: unknown


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Southern wall and sign pier, August, 2006 Photo: MnDOT Restored southern wall and sign pier, July, 2009 Photo: MnDOT

Northern wall with missing sign pier , July 2008 Photo: EAI Restored western wall and sign pier, July 2009 Photo: MnDOT


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APPENDIX B

INTERPRETIVE SIGN

Interpretive sign with lighthouse on horizon, August 2009 Interpretive sign, August 2009 Photo: MnDOTPhoto:MnDOT


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APPENDIX C

HISTORIC PROPERTY RESTORATION SUMMARY REPORT

SP-3806-64

Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook Rehabilitation

Lake County Minnesota on TH 61 North Shore Drive

The work for this project was started September 9 th, 2008. Our first task was removal of wall stones andmortars around the piers were the old metal rails had been. We then proceeded to replace the metalguard rail with coreten steel to give the look and texture that will not require painting. We proceeded withthe removal and replacement of stones and mortar in both directions toward the end markers. The main

area stair system had settled over the years and they were mud jacked back into place and joints caulked.Due to cold weather the project was halted around October 13 th, 2008. We resumed work May 20 th, 2009.The task ahead of was to dismantle the south column that was already half gone, and rebuild that columnand the North column. The north column was removed years before because of deterioration and stonesthat were being stolen from the site. There was a few stone located at a station by Gooseberry falls whichwere cleaned and used to build the columns. There was more stone that was brought in to replace thestones that had been stolen from the site over the years. We also scoured the site and found severalstones that were thrown in the woods, which were as far as we can tell from the wall. These stones were

cleaned and used for the replacements. The walls were wetted and cleaned with Vanitrol and rinsed offagain.

Products used:

The mortar: 1 part Portland, 1 part Lime, 7 parts sand

Sand was from Northshore redi-mix out of two harbors. It was 5 parts mason sand and two parts washed

sand. The Lime was western type S. The Portland was LaFarge type I.The Stone: The stones were from piles on site, and at the MnDOT truck station. The Gabbro stone wasfrom Castle danger site spoils which were taken and shaped. The limestone was from Vetter stone inMankato Minnesota. The Granite Sunset red and Meesabi Black was from Cold spring Granite.

C lk D 888 d i th t j i t d h th t l il t h d th ll


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Crews rehab wall, October 2008 Photo: EAI Aligning the rails, September 2008 Photo: EAI

South pier reconstruction, July 2009 Photo: EAI North pier reconstruction, July 2009 Photo: EAI


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Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook Rehabilitation (306a-03-08)

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