Cascade River State Park occupies a rugged section of Minnesota’s North Shore near the state’s northeastern tip, where the Cascade River descends through exposed rock toward Lake Superior and connects with the Superior Hiking Trail. Known originally as Cascade River State Wayside, it was developed beginning around July 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Arthur R. Nichols and Harold E. Olson designed its roadside plans, which became a model for roadside development. Its most notable feature was a 535-foot overlook wall built of locally quarried gabbro. Broad cooperation among park, highway, civic, legislative, and Canadian participants helped shape the park’s lasting character.