[Text interspersed with photos]
Thomas Owens was affectionately known at "T.O.".
The White Houses located between 2nd and 3rd Avenues on Poplar Street were once owned by Railroad Superintendent George White. After his passing and by the late 1920's they were thought to pose a great fire risk to the community.
Thomas Owens who lived at 509 2nd Avenue took up a collection and along with D&IR Superintendent Horace Johnson agreed to purchase all the properties on the street and donate them to the city under the agreement that it would be reserved as a public park. This allowed the City of Two Harbors to forgo any legal action required if they chose imminent [sic - eminent] domain to acquire the property.
The buildings would be purchased and the park created in 1930 but it would be another year before the park was officially dedicated as Thomas Owens Memorial Park.
The dedication of the Iron Ball Monument took place in August of 1934 in conjunction with the 50 Year Anniversary of the first shipment of iron ore. The Iron Ball was designed by George Watts and built by the Carlstrom Brothers. It serves as a time capsule with the plaque being removable for future generations.
From left to right, Carl Wepson, Oscar Kulander, Arvid Carlstrom, Oscar Carlstrom, August 1934 [with the Iron Ball Monument]
The next addition to Thomas Owens Memorial park would be the Two Harbors City Bandshell in 1937. The bandshell is dedicated to longtime City Band Director Paul Gauche.
After the death of his wife in 1941 Thomas Owens donated the statue known as the Water Babies to the City of Two Harbors for placement in the park. Today this statue is on the Lighthouse grounds.
The park remains a treasure for the community of Two Harbors enhancing our Historic Waterfront District. We can all thank a foresighted Thomas Owens for this great gift to our community.

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50th Anniversary of First Shipment of Iron Ore From Minnesota
John Dwan Office Building
World War I German Cannon
Duluth and Iron Range Depot
Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Yellowstone Mallet #229
Duluth and Iron Range Railroad Locomotive #3
Hand Car, Velocipede, Sleigh, Station Wagon
First Ore Taken From A Minnesota Mine
First Ore Taken From A Minnesota Mine
Ore Car #251, 1884 & Bobber Caboose #22 (#52), 1893

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