William Ingersoll Estate: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Voyageurs National Park

Regions 3, 4, & 5 Park Cultural Landscapes Program

Inventory Unit Description: The Ingersoll Estate is located on Ingersoll’s Island, a 7.58 acre island made up of a large rock outcrop situated in Sand Point Lake, Minnesota. It is located approximately six miles north-northeast of the community of Crane Lake, Minnesota, and less than one-eighth of a mile west of the Canadian border just northwest of Harrison Narrows. The main access to the island is via boat. The island terrain slopes steeply along the north, east, and west sides of the island and includes wooded areas and large rock outcrops. The main cabin is located in the north-central portion of the island, perched approximately forty-five feet above the lake atop a large rock outcrop near a steep rocky ridge commanding a dramatic view of the lake and landscape to the east and northeast. Another cliff overlook is located on the north end of the island. The Chiperfield cabin, privy, boathouse, workshop/sauna/icehouse, and other service-related outbuildings (with the exception of the generator shed) are located in the southern portion of the island where the ground gradually tapers to the elevation of the water. The main access route to the island, the waterway through Harrison Narrows, can be clearly viewed from the dock and boathouse. Remnants of a garden are situated on a relatively level site near the eastern shore between the dock area and the main cabin. A stone path, stone edged beds, ornamental plants, and fruit trees are some of the extant features at the garden. Vegetation consists of native woodland species throughout the island and domestic plants near the buildings, in the garden, and in remnants of plant beds. The majority of the island is sheltered by the dense canopy created by woodland trees dominated by birch, red pine, and oak species. Domestic species present include apple trees, asparagus, daylilies, Asiatic lilies, iris, sedum, dianthus, daisies, columbine, peony, veronica, and lilac. The domestic plants are found in three main locations; near the main cabin, in the garden, and near the Chiperfield cabin and dock area. Flower beds near the main cabin are laid out in circular and curvilinear patterns defined by round rocks placed to create bed edges. Flowers identified within these beds include sedum, veronica, daylilies, dianthus, and columbine. The same types of beds are found near the northeast corner of the Chiperfield cabin and on the rock outcrops just north of the boat dock. Remnants of circulation routes include stone paths, dirt paths, and stones marking the edges of circulation routes. Traces of a winding vehicular route that connected the boat dock to the main cabin are evident. This route is often referred to as the “jeep path.” Ingersoll utilized a utility vehicle to carry luggage and visitors from the boat dock to the main cabin. It is likely that the path was used for both foot and vehicular circulation. Other potential pedestrian routes may have included a steep path over rock outcrops from the northeastern corner of the garden to the main cabin. There are remnants of garden beds along this route. Another pedestrian route may have extended from the rock outcrop immediately south of the main cabin to the west toward the “jeep path.” Circular flower beds are present along the rock outcrop in this area. Overall, the landscape of the island retains the character of a remote retreat highlighting natural features (in particular the terrain, rock outcrops, vegetation, and views) and accented by domestic additions (especially the flower beds, garden, and paths). (National Register nomination 2010, sec. 7, pg.1)

William Ingersoll Estate: Cultural Landscapes Inventory, Voyageurs National Park

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