I love finding treasures and secrets in the most unexpected places.
I was in Bovey, Minnesota, a tiny burg of less than 1,000 residents. Located just north of Grand Rapids in Itasca County, it was the home of Eric Enstrom, a Swedish-born American photographer. He became famous for his 1918 photograph of Charles Wilden in Bovey. The photo is now known as “Grace” and depicts Wilden praying over a simple meal. In 2002, “Grace” was designated the state photograph of Minnesota.
The community is proud of its distinction. Visitors are welcomed by a town sign proclaiming the community is home to “Grace.”
On 2nd Street, I spied Annabella’s Antique Mall. Anyone who knows me knows I love to shop, and collectibles and antiques are right up my alley.
Inside were all kinds of treasures: jewelry, glassware, clothing, and furniture, in addition to a restaurant.
The friendly clerks told me that 40 vendors were contributing to the fun of the hunt in this 10,000-square-foot building.
But the one thing I discovered that really surprised me was that the women told me about the prohibition speakeasy in the basement and the underground escape tunnel cleverly hidden behind what looked to be a cupboard.
They said that when the police heard about illegal activity and launched an immediate raid, the men and women fled through the tunnel leading to the building across 2nd Street.
Naturally, I purchased a few items, including a “Grace” coffee cup, before I drove back to Birch Bay Resort, where I was staying.
Click here for more information on Annabella’s Antique Mall.
Title Image: Lorie Shaull
