Jackson’s Hole, Lawler, MN

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There truly isn’t much in the near-ghost town of Lawler, MN, except a handful of dilapidated buildings and one lone business, Jackson’s Hole Bar. In fact, the whole area is pretty remote, somewhere off the highway between Aitkin and Duluth. But the little dive bar, a popular stop for the biker crowd which occasionally passes through, has something that no one else in the state has: hand-carved wooden barstools which are designed to look like little trolls, each of them different and quirky.

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IMG_4307The barstools were carved by a local by the name of Cliff Letty, who also carved the bartop as well.  The laminated bar counter features a relief carving of Minnesota outdoors scenes. Letty was a baker, carpenter, and sculptor, and he created the trolls at his shop near Sandstone, MN.  The stools were recently featured in the 3rd edition of Minnesota Curiosities, which is what led us to make a pit stop through on the way to Duluth. IMG_4305
Lawler is part of the McGregor post office zip code, but from 1901-1960 it had its own zip code. In fact, Lawler was a logging town dating back to the 1800’s, when the original Lawler was decimated in The Great Hinckley Fire in 1894. The town rebuilt, and stayed mostly under the radar for the next century.  The building in which Jackson’s Hole is housed used to be the town general store, but that closed down in the 1970s, and in 1980, it became a bar. It is one of the only remaining buildings from the town’s beginnings.

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Jackson’s Hole is everything you’d expect for a middle-of-nowhere joint:  locals bellied up to the bar; bikers, ATV-riders, and snowmobilers stopping in on their way through;  cold beer, bar food, sports on TV, and the best collection of unique barstools in the state.  The bartender told us that people often inquire about buying them. They are of course invaluable, since the creator has since passed away.  They are sturdy and heavy, quirky and fun, but over time they will likely wear down beyond the point of restoration.  Let’s hope they save one or two for future generations to enjoy.

**Editor’s Note:  The town was decimated by the Fire of 1918, not the Great Hinckley Fire, as readers have pointed out.  Guess that’s a few points docked off the book Minnesota Curiosities Vol. 3. 

While in the area:  If you pass through around Thanksgiving, check out the Fish House Parade in Aitkin which takes place on Black Friday of each year.  Also keep your eyes peeled if you’re in Lawler:  This area is only mere miles from where the Minnesota Episode of Finding Bigfoot was filmed.

12 thoughts on “Jackson’s Hole, Lawler, MN

  1. Fact Check….. Lawler was decimated by the 1918 fire not the Hinckley fire. The 1918 fire burnt this area and into Cloquet. The building was the Lawler Co-op store and closed in the late 1970’s. It was built in 1923 along with many other buildings following the 1918 fire. Other buildings still remaining are Spicola’s General store, The Bank, a church building, an old hotel building, and a few houses.

    • Very interesting and thank you for letting me know. I was going off info from Minnesota Curiosities, Vol. 3. I guess they have their facts wrong! But it would make sense that the Fire of 1918 would have decimated Lawler, being a closer proximity than Hinckley!

    • Hedy,
      Do you happen to live near Lawler? I am looking for more information (and ideally old photos or video) about it and East Lake/ Rice River Township.

  2. Great article, Cliff was my father in law and not only carved but painted signs, pictures, lettered trucks, etc.. His shop was located in Moose Lake, not Sandstone.

    • I understand they had to take the bar out in Kerrick. They wanted to serve food, but it couldn’t be on a wooden bar. Not sure what happened to it.

      • My parents owned the Kerrick bar in the 90’s. It went into foreclosure under different owner’s and they sold the bar top carving and painting. Not sure where it all ended up.

  3. Lawler could not have had it’s own Zip Code from 1901 – 1961. The Zip Code was implemented by the U.S. Post Office in 1963. Prior to 1963 there was no such thing.

  4. I just visited there a couple of days ago. Talked to a friend of a friend who lives there. It’s a cute little place for all 12 residents. :)

    • My 2 sisters live there with there families, and that is more than 12 people. There are about 40 people that live in the Lawler neigborhood

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