Paddling along Ottertrack last week we came across a plaque with the name Ben Ambrose on it (Canadian side). Found some info on him @ the MN Historical Society ; quite the interesting guy!

Thanks for the link, good info.

T

Read the whole thing tonight. Amazing how he and his wife lived when the children were very young. But I don't blame her for leaving. Benny was hardcore.

quote TomT: "Read the whole thing tonight. Amazing how he and his wife lived when the children were very young. But I don't blame her for leaving. Benny was hardcore.

"

Definitely an interesting read. I thought I knew a lot about Benny Ambrose and the politics that shaped the Quetico-Superior area. But the article gave me a more complete understanding of a unique individual, as well as the wilderness and political challenges he faced.

I had no idea the snowmobile traffic through the Voyageur's highway was that active at one time. Benny must have felt pretty violated by all the activity through "his" lake after years of solitude.

I agree with TomT regarding his wife though. In fact, it's amazing they spent as many years together as they did. Benny must have also been quite the Casanova to lure a young lady away from College to live in a tent 24/7!

Hans Solo

I can understand why he picked Ottertrack, it is one of my favorite lakes in B/W, or for that matter, anywhere.

Anybody know for sure which point it was on? I have always assumed it was on the point that meets the point coming from Canada, but it has never been important enough to research it. Usually I am too busy enjoying paddling down the lake to stop and check it out, but one of these days I'll have to.

A very nice read. Thanks for posting it. Has anyone been to the homestead site? Are the steps and rock "monument" still there. I have paddled by the plaque a couple of times but have not explored the peninsula.

quote TomP: "A very nice read. Thanks for posting it. Has anyone been to the homestead site? Are the steps and rock "monument" still there. I have paddled by the plaque a couple of times but have not explored the peninsula. "

I was to the home-site in 1986 when on a group solo trip with my nephew and an old paddling buddy. It was only four years after his death, so the site wasn't too overgrown at that time.

The stairs and the foundations of the cabins were clearly visible, but that was awhile ago. I'm assuming the stairs and foundations have been somewhat obscured by 27-years of growth since my last stop at Benny's former home-site.

A beautiful spot to make a home. It's no wonder Benny loved this area and fought to remain there.

Hans Solo

A buddy and I spent the better part of an afternoon at his old place a few years back. Seemed a fitting end to a 155 mile, Oct Quetico trip. Staying as long as we did got us stuck on Big Sag instead of pushing home that night, but my buddy's 29" eye caught from the island even made that stop worthwhile.

Thanks for the link, I saved it for later.

I will be paddling that area again next week, and I hope to locate his place. If I find it, I will take some pics and share them upon my return.

thanks for posting that article.

We went through there last year and took the same picture. Boppa, SunCatcher and my pal Byron. We had a wonderful trip on the Man Chain. When we hit the border lakes it was like grand central station. Canoes and people everywhere.... That is a cool little story and very interesting cat that Benny Ambrose! Thanks for the memories.

SunCatcher

Great read, and a link worthy of a bump.

quote Frenchy19: "Paddling along Ottertrack last week we came across a plaque with the name Ben Ambrose on it (Canadian side). Found some info on him @ the MN Historical Society ; quite the interesting guy!

"

I was fortunate to have known Benny. My first trip to his place was 1968, I was 8. He is known to have said "if heaven is anything like the north woods in the fall, I'm going to like it just fine." Amen to that. My dad was a good friend of Benny. Dad passed away in 2012, last fall my brothers and I took dad's ashes up to Benny's. Bittersweet.

quote Kimmaude9: "

quote Frenchy19: "Paddling along Ottertrack last week we came across a plaque with the name Ben Ambrose on it (Canadian side). Found some info on him @ the MN Historical Society ; quite the interesting guy!


"

I was fortunate to have known Benny. My first trip to his place was 1968, I was 8. He is known to have said "if heaven is anything like the north woods in the fall, I'm going to like it just fine." Amen to that. My dad was a good friend of Benny. Dad passed away in 2012, last fall my brothers and I took dad's ashes up to Benny's. Bittersweet."

Thanks for sharing your story, sorry for the loss of your Father, Great place to have your ashes would be the North Country.
SunCatcher

Years ago we liked to stop and eat lunch at Benny's home site. It is located on the US side of the lake across from the marker. It is on a point and several items are left that show where he lived. On the shore you will find remains of a crib dock. At the home site you can find the foundation of his home. You can tell that it burned as melted glass is found. He had a garden and non native flowers are growing there. We harvestd some of the seeds and plan on planting them at our home but never have. The seeds have been in our freezer for 20 years. The home site is very high above the lake and the view from the point looks west down the lake and it is one of the prettiest views in BWCAW.

Great read,

Thank you so much for that wonderful history lesson on a truly legendary north woods soul.

This is the view from Ben Ambrose's home site.

Hi- Not sure if I already did this but if so sorry and you are getting it again.
I am looking for a high res photo of the plaque honoring Benny Ambrose on Ottertrack. This will be used in a feature of the 2nd edition of the book, Dorothy Molter, The Root Beer Lady.
If you are willing to let me use the photo you will be credited and given a free copy of the book.
Please email sarah@rootbeerlady.com
Thank you,
Sarah

quote AtwaterGA: "This is the view from Ben Ambrose's home site. "

I'd live there. Whew, what a view!

Looks familiar!

quote TeamTuna06: " Looks familiar!
"

The border route from the east end of Knife lake thru Ottertrack is one of my favorites.