Historic Scott House: Where history and imagination meet

For some, it's the region's best kept secret. For others, the events at Historic Scott House have been creating memories for years. Whether it's the ever popular Pub Night on St. Patrick's Day or inventively themed gatherings, Scott House has evolved into a community treasure.

At first blush it almost seems to be in the middle of nowhere, located on County Road 4 - a skip and a jump beyond Wrenshall. How did this very special place get built in such a peaceful location so far off the beaten path?

According to Jim Sheetz, owner of the Scott House, it was originally a stagecoach stop on the Old Military Road before the Civil War.

"This was the first stop when travelling from Superior to St. Paul which, in those days, was a five-day journey," Sheetz said.

Historical photos show a once great home that experienced a measure of neglect by the end of the Great Depression.

"My grandparents bought the property for $3,500 dollars," Sheetzsaid, "which included three-quarters of the property around the lake."

Now approaching 80 years in the family, the Scott House has evolved to become an idyllic location for public and private events, business meetings, holiday parties, musical events, and weddings. Most recently the house has opened its rooms to accommodate travelers in need of lodging.

How the house became historic

The story of the Historic Scott House begins in the early days of Minnesota history. In 1851, during the Millard Fillmore presidency and three years after Wisconsin statehood, plans were developed to produce five roads in this as-yet-untamed Upper Midwest. The first of these was the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road. By the time the road was completed in 1858, Minnesota had become a state.

Before the construction of the road, it was an exceedingly difficult journey from St. Paul to Superior. This wagon road would connect the Upper Mississippi to Lake Superior. For travelers making their way from Superior to St. Paul, the first stop would be at Twin Lakes where a small community was developing, serving as the county seat 1857 through 1870. It was also one of 14 places along the route where stagecoach horses could be swapped out for fresh ones.

In 1862, land was purchased for the purpose of building an inn alongside the Military Road to accompany the trading post and general store here. A few years after the inn was completed, the railroad from the Twin Cities to Duluth was finished, bypassing the need for this more challenging route. The new challenge was finding housing for the rapid influx of newcomers to Duluth. Nevertheless, the Two Lakes settlement had an idyllic location and was not forgotten.

In 1881 the Joseph and Rebecca Mayer family took possession of the property and farmland. The German-born Mayer began with an 80-acre spread which he farmed, describing the soil as rich and productive, once stating that "my crops have never been failures." His strawberries were especially excellent. He later added 153 more acres to his holdings and proceeded to stock the lake behind the house with several thousand brook trout.

In 1910 Walter and Minnie Scott acquired the farm, which included the house. The Scott family opened the property for community use and it became known as Scott's Corner. Church groups came out and enjoyed the lake and the countryside. The property even had central heating, with water piped underground from the lake.

Sadly, in 1914 the two were divorced, with Minnie and her sons remaining on the farm. Numerous improvements were made to the house, which remained with Minnie until she died in 1937. The property was eventually abandoned and personal property sold off in a Carlton auction.

Five years passed before Harry and Rowena Sheetz, Jim Sheetz's grandparents, purchased the property for $3,500. The Sheetzes had actually moved in as renters in 1940 for a spell, then stayed on for another half-century. Despite its rundown condition at the time, they saw real potential for the place.

Sharing his passions

Perhaps the most endearing feature of this house is not merely its history. The real treasure is the imagination of its owner, Jim Sheetz. Though a quiet man, his enthusiasm has taken him to England seven times, always with an eye to bringing home more than just photos and memories.

Artist Sue Brown Chapin, who teaches watercolor classes at the Historic Scott House, talks about Jim's collections, including the vintage Christmas and Halloween items, a collection of World Fair souvenirs, British monarchy memorabilia, vintage Statue of Liberty souvenirs, Titanic memorabilia, vintage globes and more.

From a very early age Sheetz took an interest in collecting. As a youth he attended antique auctions, a catalytic event for him.

"I went to my first auction when I was 12 years old," he said, "with my grandfather."

This evolved into a lifetime of collecting.

"My favorite collection is the vintage Halloween," Chapin said. "It evokes childhood memories, and as an artist I appreciate the beautiful graphics and colors."

The Titanic collection consists of various books, drawings, White Star Line memorabilia, and personal letters from the last living survivor.

It's apparent the Titanic collection has special meaning for Sheetz.

"I knew the last survivor, Melvina Dean," he said. "She was the youngest survivor of the Titanic disaster."

Sheetz said he ushered her in to one of the many Titanic reunion dinners. "She said she was too young to have any memory of the event and was 9 or 10 when she learned that she had been lowered into a lifeboat in a sling."

As for plans for the coming year, events are designed around themes. Ellis Island is one of the themes, relating to Sheetz's Statue of Liberty collection. The Kentucky Derby is another special occasion they celebrate with a party. In the past they've brought in a horse for photo opportunities.

Other events being considered include a salute to the 1960s, and with the 50th anniversary of walking on the moon in July, Sheetz is hoping to commemorate that occasion as well.

"Jim's mind is so creative, he keeps coming up with ideas, and people come," Chapin said.

Social media has helped attract new faces, they both affirmed. The feedback is always positive. People see it and share.

"Even when there are weddings here, people wander around and ask questions," he said. "It's the history that makes the place. Otherwise it's just a house."