"The Marble Lake Lookout Research Natural Area (RNA) is located entirely on National Forest administered land within the Superior National Forest. The area is 120 acres (49 ha) located in the Arrowhead Region of Northeastern Minnesota approximately 20 miles (32 km) north of Two Harbors, Minnesota.
A primary interest is the historical value of preserving an example of the presettlement landscape -- the northern hardwood community. An additional interest is the historical-cultural use of the area as a lookout for wildfires. The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) built a 100-foot (30 m) fire tower, log cabin and log garage in the 1930's. Although the tower and buildings were dismantled in the 1960's, the foundations remain. The 1 acre (0.4 ha) tower site is an officially recorded Cultural Resource Site of the Superior National Forest.
First recorded use of this area dates back to the original survey of 1891. The surveyors mentioned in their notes that there were a number of Indian trails, but hard to follow. There was a good portage trail to Kane and Marble Lakes from the south. There were no known settlers within the RNA in 1891. This stand is not without the influence of man. The virgin white pine was harvested from this area in the early 1900's. Old pine stumps are scattered throughout this northern hardwood forest. Many old-growth northern hardwood trees over 150 years are an outstanding feature of the RNA.
Ownership of the property changed hands many times. The State of Minnesota originally acquired this land from the United States in the late 1890's. In the early 1900's the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad bought the land from the State except for one acre (0.4 ha) which the State kept to build and staff a fire lookout tower."
Forest road leading to the site.
Tower obvious named after Marble Lake to the north.
Upham mentions Marble Lake in Minnesota Place Name in a list of Lake County lakes, but gives no source for the name. I must note, however, he mentions that Marble in Northern Saint Louis County was a station on the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range railroad associated with Oliver Minining which earlier absorbed the Gross-Marble mining company properties in the Hill Mine area. A branch of the DM&IR ran close to Marble Lake. Perhaps the DM&IR graced a station in Lake county with the name, Marble?
