County transfers historic marker and pavilion to Pine City ahead of DNR boat landing project

The Pine County Board voted unanimously to transfer a historical marker and a small pavilion to the city of Pine City, allowing the city to relocate the plaque and roofed pavilion before a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boat-landing reconstruction that will otherwise require removal of the monument.

County staff explained that the DNR’s project at the Snake River boat landing will necessitate demolition or removal of the existing historical marker and pavilion and that the city offered to relocate and maintain the plaque and roof structure near the Voyager monument and Lions Park. County attorneys contacted the Minnesota Historical Society and were told the Society disclaimed any ownership interest in the marker; the Pine County Historical Society supports preserving the plaque through relocation, staff said.

Board discussion also noted that two parcels near the landing have complex ownership histories tied to the agricultural society and prior state highway right-of-way actions. Staff said the county attorney will prepare quitclaim deeds and additional research for the county-owned parcels north of First Street that store city snow, but the immediate action at the meeting applied only to the marker and pavilion.

Commissioners asked whether the city would pay relocation costs; staff said the city has agreed to take responsibility and cover costs. The board approved the transfer and seconded the motion; the vote was recorded as unanimous.

Ending: County staff will follow up with deeds and legal research on adjacent parcels and coordinate the timing of DNR work and city relocation; speakers asked whether DNR and the county could align schedules to avoid multiple summers of construction but were told DNR schedules are independent and may proceed before the bridge project timing is resolved.