Old Post Office Rescued and Moved

New History Museum Planned

In late August, the Old Post Office was lifted and moved on a flatbed trailer to a new location one block away on Lake Avenue. Tim Swift and his crew from Wolf Creek managed to repair, raise, move, and set the building onto a new foundation without so much as a scratch on the building or a crack in a window. Great job, guys! Take a look at the process in these photos.

Please help the Historical Society bring this building back to life as a new museum of Grand Marais history! Click here for more information on how you can help.

Step one: Rotted wood along the bottom courses was
replaced and the building was raised.

.

Step two: Room was left under the building to slide a
flatbed trailer underneath it.

Step three: The trailer was carefully backed under the building,
and the post office slowly lowered into place.

Step four: Several large cross beams helped stabilize the building.

Step five: Slowly, slowly, the little post office moved along the
bay and onto the back of the lot.

Step six: The building was brought into place next to
the Marketplace gift shop.

Step seven: Getting the trailer out proved to be a bit tricky, but the crew
managed it using an old trick. The building couldn't be lifted any higher.
Can you figure out how they did it? (We'll tell you at the bottom of the page.*)

Step eight: With the trailer gone, now the building was carefully lowered
onto the new foundation. A backhoe "nudged" it into position.

Step nine: Buttoned up for the winter! In the spring, the building will get
a new roof, rebuilt windows, and repaired siding, plus steps and an access ramp.
Help us save this unique piece of Grand Marais history!

* The building couldn't be raised any higher, so our fast-thinking crew let
some of the air out of the trailer tires. If you can't go higher - go lower!