Small Town Monday

Local power sets and cabooses rest outside of the Biwabik enginehouse during early to mid 1970s. Biwabik was a major terminal for both the D&IR and DM&N, originating and terminating many natural ore trains. By the time the photo was taken, the yard was down to a few jobs. The caboose and the 126 are probably off the Biwabik Local that serviced local industries and the remaining few local red ore operations. The 167 (plus one) is most likely more power for local red ore trains or possibly an Ely train that ran out of Biwabik for a while. The engines and cabooses received minor servicing in Biwabik.

Times have changed in small-town Biwabik

By Robert J. Mickelson Jr.

I grew up in a great little town. It was called Biwabik. It was during a time when everyone treated each other like family. We trusted each other. I remember in those days we left our keys in the car and left the front doors unlocked. Police were our neighbors and friends.

When we went to our friend’s house, we would just run inside the house. We greeted the adults with, Good morning, Mr. or Mrs. Whoever-it-Was. I still do that, even when they say to call them by their first name. Sorry, cannot do it.

We went outside to play, we got dirty, and we ate whatever Mom cooked. We ate sandwiches, penny candy, pickles and snow cones.

We played “Simon Says,” “Mother May I,” “Red Light, Green Light,” “Hide and Go Seek,” basketball, football, and softball. We raced against each other in the street, played jacks, hopscotch, “Kick the Can,” and “Flashlight Tag.”

Our parents did not have to be concerned if we were late. We were just at our cousin’s house or someplace else they knew.

@ THE DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE

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In the description of the photo above I was the one that did the servicing of the locos and cabooses nightly, Toot! Toot!