John Beargrease
(1858-1910)
Battling Minnesota's extreme weather was a way of life for John Beargrease.
From 1879 to 1899, he delivered mail along the North Shore of Lake Superior
between Two Harbors and Grand Marais. In the summer months he hiked along
the Lake Shore Trail or sailed a boat, often traveling at night to make
up for time lost in stormy weather.
Beargrease is most famous, however,
for delivering the mail by dog sled during the winter. Using four dogs,
he would travel an average of 30-40 miles a day.
John Beargrease Resources
- Extended Biography of John Beargrease
- John Beargrease Entry in MN150 Wiki
- MHS Library Resource: John Beargrease: Legend of Minnesota's North Shore
- MHS Library Resource: Fearless John: The Legend of John Beargrease
- MHS Visual Resources for the Ojibwe
- MHS Collections Up Close Podcast of Camera Ojibwe Photographs
- Ayer Ojibwe Collection Resources
Related Historic Sites
