– Random Writings: Column by Rebecca Lindquist – - Things aren’t always what they seem

– Random Writings: Column by Rebecca Lindquist –

My last column talked about of the tales of my misspent youth, when I illegally trespassed under the Ashland iron ore dock trestle, owned by the Soo Line Railroad. Recounting that adventure was thought-provoking and rekindled my interest, prompting me to delve into recent happenings of that particular piece of real estate.

I was dismayed and saddened, to learn the railroad trestle and tracks, and the dock itself, had been completely dismantled, as of 2013. Soo Line officials cited the reason behind the demolition as one of “risk and liability.”

Having traversed the length of the old dock, I heartily agree with that assessment, as it was already in crumbling decay, over 35 years ago, when I cheekily explored the structure. Even so, I hated seeing such an invaluable piece of Ashland’s rich culture, lost to the ages.

Upon further investigation, I found the ore freighters of old will not passively be relegated to some dusty old tome, shoved to the nether regions of a library. According to the Ashland Daily Press, a new walkway has since taken its place and was completed in October of last year.

Viewing the proposed project online intrigued me and has become somewhat of an obsession, so much so, that my daughter, Hannah, and I drove up to Ashland, a few weeks ago, specifically to check it out.

I have to admit I was disheartened and felt strangely let down, after catching my first glimpse. It barely resembled the proposed, eye-catching rendering of the redevelopment plan, touted to be “the bridge to the future.”

There is a rebuilt concrete walkway, extending 1,800 feet, which was the length of the original dock, boasting of an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) access, that reaches a quarter of a mile into Lake Superior. A spacious, blacktopped parking lot is located to the west of it and has a narrow, sandy, graveled path that leads from the lot to the concrete walkway.

The path is situated in a low spot and had standing water, from melting snow, covering it in places.

It didn’t look handicapped accessible to me.

Hannah and I decided to try the east access, which was even more discouraging. Where a projected paved parking lot was to reside, we were greeted with nothing more than a rock-strewn area, where heavy rain had made random, deep gullies, topped off by a stone barricade barring access to another sketchy-looking, steep, rocky path, leading down to the beginning of the dock.

One striking feature that immediately catches the eye, are the roughly 4-foot high weathered rustic galvanized steel block letters, proudly proclaiming ASHLAND ORE DOCK, placed at the entrance to the dock. I wanted to take Han’s picture standing by them, but realistically, I knew I would never make it walking on either path.

Hannah offered to go, but wasn’t wearing proper footwear and there was a stiff bite to the wind coming in off the lake.

After reviewing the pictures once I was home, I noticed a few items that didn’t seem to lead to anything. I reached out to Sara Hudson, Ashland’s Park and Recreation director. She explained the ore park is not complete. The project is broken into three different phases. Phase 1 is 98 percent complete, which is what Han and I saw.

I immediately felt ashamed that I was so judgmental and jumped to conclusions before gathering all the pertinent facts. This project is divided into phases, to enhance and add additional features, as grant funding allows.

Regardless of my carelessly worded assumptions, the new ore dock is a modern day marvel, in its present state.

I’m eagerly awaiting developments and will venture up there frequently, applauding Ashland’s efforts, to preserve the heritage of the great ore freighters and the hardy individuals, who toiled tirelessly across the Great Lakes.