History of the Homestead

Homesteaders John Kangas and Elmiina (Seitäniemi) Kangas were Finnish settlers who came to the United States in 1901, and the Kangas family was some of the first people to put down roots in the Embarrass area.

Legend has it that Kangas nearly froze to death when a blizzard overcame him, but that Kangas was able to shoot a moose and cut the animal open to crawl inside for protection. Having survived the night, he determined this should be the location where he built his home.

In 1910, the home became a Finnish boarding house, and it retains much of the same charm and historical presence today.