Valhalla (Camp Ripley)
| Valhalla | |
|---|---|
 The lodge in 2024 | |
 Location at Camp Ripley | |
| Alternative names | Governor's Lodge |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Norwegian |
| Location | Camp Ripley Training Center |
| Town or city | Little Falls, Minnesota |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 46°05′00″N 94°21′32″W / 46.0833°N 94.3589°W |
| Year(s) built | 1934 |
| Renovated | 2018 |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Lodgepole pine logs, cedar shingles |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | Civilian Conservation Corps |
Valhalla, or the Governor's Lodge, is a historic cabin at the Minnesota National Guard military installation of Camp Ripley near Little Falls, Minnesota. It was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as the headquarters for the 34th Infantry Division, but later became lodging for the governor of Minnesota and his guests.
History
[edit]
The Norwegian-style,[1] lodgepole pine[2] log cabin was constructed in 1934, in a group of pines on the west edge of the garrison area of Camp Ripley.[3] The building cost $13,852, provided by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the State of Minnesota, and was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.[2] It originally served as the 34th Infantry Division headquarters,[2] but later was repurposed for usage by Minnesota's governors and visiting VIPs.[4] Elmer L. Andersen, governor of Minnesota from 1961 to 1963, gave the building the nickname "Valhalla".[3]
A three-car garage on the grounds was built in 1937 and featured a fireplace which could be used to keep cars warm so they could start during the winter. A barbeque shelter features remains of a building from an 1950 homestead, and original copper lanterns from the 1934 Camp Ripley Post Exchange.[2] Along with Camp Ripley Bridge and the camp's entrance walls, the lodge is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.[5]
A lightning strike on May 30, 1969, set fire to a nearby pine tree, which then spread to the roof of the lodge. Two bedrooms on the second floor and the central room on the first floor were damaged; mementos left by Harry Truman and Eugene McCarthy were also damaged.[3]
Renovation
[edit]In 2018, the Cultural Resources Management team at Camp Ripley rehabilitated the lodge, working with the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office. An old photo, dated using magazines visible in the picture, was used to help restore the look of the interior to match from shortly after the construction of the building.[6][7] Modern windows in a 1930s style were installed, as well as a cedar shake roof matching the original. A new HVAC system was also installed.[7][6]
Notable visitors
[edit]
President Harry Truman stayed at Valhalla twice after he left office; once in August 1953, and a second time in July 1961.[3] On both visits, he observed maneuvers by his former unit, the 35th Infantry Division and received a 21-gun salute.[8][9][10]
Other prominent visitors include U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Karl Rolvaag,[3] Senator Eugene McCarthy,[3] and President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.[7] As governor, retired professional wrestler Jesse Ventura stated that Valhalla was good reason for him to go to Camp Ripley.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Hagström, Aaron (March 13, 2015). "A friendly Norwegian invasion". The Norwegian American. ISSN 2473-9251. Archived from the original on June 21, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Erickson, Sandra Alcott (2007). Camp Ripley, 1930-1960. Charleston, SV: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 8, 51–52. ISBN 9780738550787.
- ^ a b c d e f "Lightning Burns Mementos At Gubernatorial Lodge". The Duluth News Tribune. Associated Press. July 1, 1968. p. 1. Retrieved July 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "About Camp Ripley". Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum. December 19, 2024. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ "Minnesota Dept. of Transportation Historic Roadside Development Structures Inventory" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. p. 7. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ a b Replogle, Ruth Ann (March 9, 2018). "Camp Ripley balances cultural preservation with military mission". United States Army. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards Camp Ripley Nomination Narrative" (PDF). United States Secretary of Defense. 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ "JFK Called Russia's Bluff; They'll Quit, Says Truman". Tucson Citizen. July 29, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved July 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rain Threatens to cancel Truman Review of Guard". Post-Bulletin. August 1, 1953. p. 5. Retrieved July 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Greet Truman With 21 gun Salutes". The Wichita Eagle. Associated Press. August 1, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved July 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Unze, David (April 29, 1999). "Governor visits Camp Ripley". St. Cloud Times. p. 3. Retrieved July 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.