Johnson Boatworks Bon Voyage

There are few places in White Bear Lake, Minnesota where 400 people can mingle with history. On Saturday, April 10th, that is

 what happened at the former Johnson/White Bear Boatworks, an old place profiled in "Tales of the Road-Highway 61." (Both the book and the film.)

The occasion was the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society's annual fundraiser and the venue was appropriate because (sadly) it appears the boatworks will soon be lost to history. There have been valiant efforts to save it. The future is unclear. It could make way for condos, or (fingers crossed) it might be the site for a community center/sailing museum. 

This is Steve Johnson, a descendent of the founder of the Boatworks:  John O. Johnson. John O. was a quiet guy but brilliant. I would think John O. would have been bemused by all the fuss the event created. Steve and the rest of the Johnson family seemed to enjoy themselves. Check out Steve in the movie. He's the skipper of the last racing scow of a specific class made by the Boatworks. The boat is beautiful and as fast as the wind itself! I was at the event to talk about why we included the Johnson Boatworks in TOTR. The story is such a good one. It was a no-brainer for inclusion. 

I also had a surprise for the director of the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society. A check for $1,500. Part of my proceeds from the book that I promised I'd spilt with the ten different organizations along the highway that helped make TOTR possible. Now, if the Boatworks, or at least a part of the Boatworks could be preserved...that would be money well spent! For more photos of a lovely night check out our Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=101915670064

A wonderful honor

I know the book "Tales of the Road-Highway 61" has been read by many people but now, a whole city is reading it!  It is a humbling experience. 

This is Jo Emerson, the mayor of White Bear Lake, Minnesota and yours truly with a proclamation recognizing the first ever "White Bear Reads" program, and the inaugural selection: "Tales of the Road-Highway 61"!!!

The "White Bear Reads" program is based on other successful efforts across the country where a book is selected and the community comes together to experience it.

I'm so excited that "Tales" has been selected for this unique program in White Bear Lake. What an honor!

White Bear Lake is a lovely town on Highway 61. I wrote about the Johnson Boatworks, a historic place that unfortunately will be leveled for townhouses sometime, and the old White Bear City Hall, purported to have been designed by the great Cass Gilbert. The Boatworks was also a key site in the documentary. Isn't this a cool, old photo of the craftsmen building one of the racing scows??

White Bear has great history, and I'm hoping that the community acknowledges that and works together to preserve what is left and not only some of the sites in "Tales of the Road" but other meaningful places as well. The book's underlying message is that history is important, no matter where it is found, and we found a lot along the highway!

The kick-off event is at the White Bear Library February 2, 2010. I plan to talk about "Tales" but there may well be some surprises too.