Andy Gorshe
The Luce Line Trail Association (LLTA) has faciltated the creation of a historical rest area on the Luce Line Trail, in memory of 17-year old Andy Gorshe. Although the LLTA is instrumental in getting this project started, much of the work on site has been organized and performed by Andy's immediate family... Dan Gorshe and his wife Liza.
Presently, the LLTA has constructed a crushed limestone parking area for cars and horse trailers. Informational signs and hitching posts for horses have been installed. Picnic tables and benches will soon be installed. Trees and native prairie grasses will be planted in the future.
Andy Gorshe's fondest memories were of his life in the rural Watertown area on the bed and breakfast his family ran. Andy's family lived five miles west of Watertown on the Luce Line Trail (half-way between Watertown and Winsted). Because the bed and breakfast's business was somewhat dependent on the trail and Andy's family owned horses, they became involved in the Luce Line Trail Association.
Andy's mother, Andrea Smith, became secretary of the LLTA. Andy and his family pitched in by helping stuff envelopes and doing whatever maintenance was needed. Although the bed and breakfast was eventually sold and Andy's family moved away from this area, Andy continued to commute to Watertown-Mayer High School to remain with friends. It was on his commute to school where he lost his life. Andy's heart will forever remain in Watertown.
The Luce Line Trail Association is developing the historical rest area adjacent to the bed and breakfast, in memory of Andy. This area is of considerable historical significance. It was at one time a train depot called Hazelton Station. It had a weigh scale and the train would take on water at this station. There are still foundations left of some of the old buildings. A store and well known meeting place of the area residents sat where Andy's family home was eventually built.
The LLTA has created interpretive signs and a memorial to Andy, located on kiosks on the site. The LLTA is asking anyone with any knowledge of the history or any pictures of Hazelton Station to contact them.
If anybody can donate money, time/labor or has access to materials to help complete this project, please contact the Luce Line Trail Association at any of these numbers: Deb Rockney, (952) 955-2815, Margaret Davis, (952) 955-2226, or by writing to the LLTA at P.O. Box 102 Watertown, MN 55388.
Click here to see the original site plan of the Andy Gorshe Memorial and Interpretive Site, located at the intersection of Vega Avenue and the Luce Line Trail.
Click here to see construction photos. The rest area is shown in the final stages of construction, prior to the dedication ceremony held on June 27th, 2004.
Return to: Luce Line Trail Association home page.