I think it was a root cellar for the old county poor house. Much of the food was grown on site. Also hundreds of unmarked graves in that area.  Rumored to be haunted by restless ghosts. 

Wonder if anyone would be interested in a community root cellar?

my parents OWNED the poor house & that's where they kept the $$$.

check it out: http://www.d.umn.edu/lib/nemhc/guides/s3746.htm

I have a community garden plot nearby and have often wondered what that was.  I too though it was an old root cellar.  Last week the doors were open and it seems that stuff was being hauling in or out, so now I'm really curious about its present use.

Were's the old graveyard?  Not under my tomatoes I hope?  Or maybe that's why they grow so well?

It seems like a couple times a year that old root cellar is open and there are people going in and out.  I have never known what they were up to... but my guess had been that it was perhaps being used by the community garden folks, what with the gardens being nearby and all.  But if the single-t variation of me has a garden there and doesn't know about it, I guess my theory is out the window.

Yes - those links and all that info was very cool.

Bret - 
I know where it is, but I can't really explain it. I'll try. From Arrowhead Rd turn left onto Rice Lake Rd. Park in the Baptist church parking lot, then walk toward the road. When you get to Rice Lake, turn left and follow the road down not too far, then to your left you will see a trail...I think it had a vehicle-blocker. Just follow that trail in until you come to a large clearing. There's a foundation there, and a big plaque in the middle that tells you about the cemetary. It's pretty anti-climatic, but neat nonetheless.

Thanks!

Scott -
Cool, let me know what the restoration would entail. If my skills are useful, I'd be more than willing to help out.