The astounding legacy of Ted Rowell, Sr. remains evident throughout the Lake of the Woods area. He began scientific investigations while working on the Northern Blue Fox farm co-owned by his father, Joseph Rowell, and noted that foxes developed beautiful coats when fed burbot, a fish that had no value to the area’s commercial fishermen. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Pharmacy, he continued his research and discovered that burbot liver oil was eight times as rich in vitamins A and D as cod liver oil. In 1933 he formed the Burbot Liver Products Company, and after the initial plant outgrew its start-up location near Wheeler’s Point, it was moved to Baudette. In 1949 the company name was officially changed to Rowell Laboratories Incorporated. Over the years Rowell Labs became internationally known and respected and successfully marketed over 200 products. Rowell also worked to make Baudette a thriving community: during his term as mayor the city built a new hospital, international airport, sewage disposal plant, and a new city well system. As chairman of the International Bridge Committee, he helped raise over one and a half million dollars for the construction of the bridge linking Baudette and Rainy River, Ontario. A conservationist, he spearheaded efforts to eliminate pollution in the Rainy River and is also recognized as the county’s first tree farmer. He often worked quietly behind the scenes, not seeking recognition for what he considered acts of love for the area that had given him so much.