Sole of Calked Boot

The logging era (1837-1914) impacted the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers, and yet ultimately aided in their preservation. Workers came, trees were cut, and towns grew. Rivers were changed to allow boats and logs to ply the waters. Cold water, slippery logs, and long days made log driving dangerous work. Calked boots helped the log driver remain standing on floating logs. The logging era’s end slowed development in the valley and changed how people viewed the rivers. Tourists who had previously come to see log jams returned to relax on and along the now quiet waterways. This boot sole was found by canoeists on a sandbar in the Namekagon River in 2001. Did the owner drown or did he throw his worn boot away?