By BRIAN PETERSON

Brainerd Dispatch

BRAINERD, Minn. (AP) — The signs were everywhere: ‘‘Welcome to Main Street Crow Wing,’’ ‘‘Crow Wing, A Cultural Landscape,’’ ‘‘The Clement Beaulieu House’’ and ‘‘A Community of Cultural Diversity.’’

There were other signs, too. A mink — or possibly a fisher — took an afternoon dip near shore in the coolish river water. Later, a deer appeared from the trees, pausing briefly before dashing back to the safety of the forest.

Mother Nature long ago took back this place, and there are no signs that she plans to give it back anytime soon.

Yes, an interesting reversal has taken place over the years at Crow Wing State Park. Instead of nature giving way to the civilized world, civilization has faded away at Crow Wing. Where there once was a thriving town, there are thick thatches of vegetation and trees, abundant wildlife and, of course, the rivers.