Eli Wirtanen Farm

An original Finnish homestead

The Eli Wirtanen Farm was homesteaded in 1904 by bachelor Eli Wirtanen, who built everything on the farm by hand. This self-guided tour, consists of 16 historic buildings including the main house, horse barn, shingle mill, well house, pig pen, bathhouse, and hay shed, along with historic equipment.

The farm gives visitors a glimpse of an Iron Range rural Finnish lifestyle at the turn of the century. One of the most unique buildings on the Wirtanen homestead is the bathhouse, which is the only “smoke hole” type bathhouse in the area. Without a chimney, small openings near the roof are opened to let the smoke out. Each building on this 40-acre facility pays tribute to the area’s hearty early settlers. Buildings are marked for self-guided tours. Group tours and school groups welcome.
 
Directions: Located approximately 20 miles south of Biwabik on Highway 4 on the (right) west side.
 
Admission: Open year round, but it is not plowed in the winter. Admission is FREE.

To learn more, visit the Wirtanen Pioneer Farm website.

Click here to receive a free Wirtanen Pioneer Farm.

Friends of the Wirtanen Pioneer Farm
Highway 4
Makinen, MN 55763
218-638-2859
218-638-2323
http://www.wirtanenfarm.org