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THE HOME ADDRESS OF THE MISSISSIPPIThe Mississippi river is without a doubt, one of the five greatest rivers in the world, and arguably, along with the Nile and Amazon, one of the top three in terms of length, volume and significance. It runs for two thousand, five hundred miles, and drains two thirds of the land in the lower forty-eight states. Its waters have shaped agriculture, history and politics for thousands of years. Trade routes, ... More
Clash of Forest and Prairie In 1795, fifty Ojibwe warriors traveled southwest from the forests around Leech Lake, presumably in search of new hunting grounds, and possibly of glory too. On the shores of a good-sized lake, they met a large band of Sioux. Thirty Ojibwe fell in the ensuing battle, and ever afterwards, the water was known as “West Battle Lake.” Geographically, the area around Battle Lake mirrors that ancient ... More
Where southern prairie meets the northern forest, and receding glaciers once carved their way through the granite landscape, Alexandria is a scenic & recreational paradise.  Just off I-94, the county seat for Douglas County lies almost exactly halfway between the Twin Cities and Fargo, and provides convenient access to business, work and commerce. The Alexandria Lakes Area offers the best of all worlds: unlimited access to the ... More
True North If you talk to someone from Fergus Falls or Brainerd they might be slightly offended if you refer to their home as “Northern Minnesota.” They have a point. Geographically speaking, a lot of what we call “Up North” is merely on the northern edge of central Minnesota.  But you will find no such modesty when speaking to folks from Bemidji. They truly are in Northern Minnesota, and they know it. Call ... More
Close To Nature Denise Siemens spent her childhood near Ely, Minnesota, and still returns there on a regular basis.  "One of the best kept secrets of Ely is the local sauna, The Ely Steam Bath, on Chapman street," she says.  "My dad, who is now seventy-two, still goes down there twice a week to sit and sweat.”  The rooms are not co-ed, and Denise quotes her father as saying, “In the bullpen, the only thing ... More
Back in the old days, when Cumberland was near the end of the rail line, they used to say that it was the stop for “Cumberland, Hayward, Hurley and Hell.” To put it nicely, Cumberland was a rough town. The roughest of the bunch was a saloon keeper named Paulson. When the city fathers brought in a Marshall from St. Paul to clean things up, the lawman's first act was to challenge Paulson to fist fight. Paulson agreed to leave town if ... More
There’s a reason it’s called the “Brainerd Lakes Area”, not just Brainerd.  It’s our heritage. Brainerd will forever be rooted in history books as a major center of ideas, tackle and tactics that propelled the fishing industry forward.   Nick Adams, long-time head of Lindy Little Joe fishing tackle said, “This area virtually became the epicenter of innovative fishing tactics.” Dr. Roland Kehr, former board member of ... More
There is an area in Minnesota where you can go to access an abundance of quality lakes for swimming, fishing, and boating. Biking and walking trails abound in the area. Lodging is readily available there, along with all the modern conveniences desired by even the least outdoorsy person. Things to do, both outdoors and in, are plentiful. The place of which we speak, is of course, the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. If you live within ... More
The Pretty Town That Began With An Ugly Name Park Falls began as a small river village, originally called Muskellunge Falls. The official story says that the town fathers were inspired by the park-like atmosphere of the large pines near the falls, and changed the name to Park Falls. It is also possible that a passing Ojibwe Indian pointed out that “Muskellunge” means “ugly pike,” which isn’t a great name for a ... More
 A Place to Explore Fergus Falls was named by Joe Whitford, who was employed by a man named James Fergus to find a place for a new community in West-Central Minnesota. Finding a waterfall on the Otter Tail river, Whitford staked out the town in 1857 and named it in honor of his employer. It seems that Fergus never even visited the place, and in 1870 the town site was sold to one George B. Wright for about a ... More
All Aboard! Like many towns in Northwest Wisconsin, railroad was once the lifeline of Spooner. The Omaha line had its hub here. The commercial trains are all gone now, but making lemons into lemonade, Spooner now boasts a fine railroad museum, and also runs the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad. The Great Northern is a trip into history aboard a restored historical train.  The locomotive was built in 1940. There is also a ... More
Toe-riffic! Diane Dryden of the Shell Lake Chamber of Commerce says that you can stand in Shell Lake up to your neck, look down, and count the hairs on your toes. She doesn't say why you would want to count your toe hair while up to your neck in water, but her point is, in a region that is already rich in pristine natural lakes, Shell Lake is the clearest and cleanest of them all. In terms of water clarity and purity, Dryden ... More
Not Quaint, but what you need One of the things everyone loves about resort towns is that they are often small and unique, and they offer many quaint shopping experiences. But sometimes when you are on vacation, you need things that don’t qualify as “quaint.” Stitches, for example, should not be quaint, but rather, professional. A hammer is another non-quaint item. A week’s worth of groceries can really add up at “quaint” ... More
Where’s The Beef? If you are looking for someplace with world-class freshwater fishing; a place where you can enjoy fine dining, unique shopping and terrific lodging; a place where you can also watch fully grown men dressed up in a cow-suits, carving roast beef – then Minocqua, Wisconsin is the destination for you. The town of Minocqua, along with neighboring Woodruff and Arbor Vitae, is situated in one of the most ... More
It seems almost impossible that some people reading this have never been to Minnesota’s “North Shore,” and yet, sad experience tells me this is true. Living in the Twin Cities and never visiting the North Shore is like living in Rapid City and never seeing Mount Rushmore; or living in Baltimore and never going to DC; or living in Denver and never spending any time in the mountains. People do it, I’m sure, but ... More
Lake Superior's Home Town If you consider it from a certain perspective, Ashland, Wisconsin, has a very cosmopolitan and international past. Four different European countries have laid claim to Ashland and the land around her: Spain, France, England and the United States. In addition, eight Native American nations have lived in the area. When Columbus sailed the ocean blue, the Ojibwe tribe thrived on Superior's blue shores. In ... More
A Perfect Storm Bayfield Wisconsin is one of those places that seems to transport you to a different place and time.  It's about a four hour jaunt from the Twin Cities, but when you get there, you'll feel as if you've somehow traveled twelve-hundred miles, to a fishing village in Coastal Massachusetts.  Only in Bayfield, the people are friendlier, and they don't have funny, east-coast accents.  Also, there is there is ... More
The City of Munising is located along Michigan’s beautiful Lake Superior and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Attractions, year-round activities, near-by Grand Island, restaurants, shopping, and services are all located within this hospitable community.  Munising is surrounded by water and water related activities. It is surely one of the most incredible places to live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Lake ... More
Curtis Michigan is surroundedby the three beautiful Manistique Lakes - the largest lake complex in the UpperPeninsula! Large groups, families, and couples will enjoy ourwaterfront village atmosphere. We have everything in one area to fulfill all ofyour residential and vacation home needs! Lodging, restaurants, lounges /taverns, recreational rental facilities, 3 area golf courses, greatentertainment, the Erickson Art Center, gift shops, ... More
Off to the Races If you are looking for the world capital of turtle racing, you definitely want to visit Longville, Minnesota.  They’ve got your turtles, and they are darn proud of it. If NASCAR started down in the South, it is only fitting that turtle racing starts up North. The thing is, the weekly Longville turtle races are about more than just the excitement of seeing small, kind-of-ugly reptiles battle across the finish line in ... More
The Name that Didn’t Work The village of Walker, Minnesota, was founded on the shores of Leech Lake on March 10, 1896, shortly after the railroad came from Brainerd. It was named in honor of lumber baron, Thomas B. Walker. The idea was that Mr. Walker would be so overwhelmed with gratitude that he would build a sawmill there and make it the next big town of the North. The ploy didn’t work. Rumor has it that Walker did not ... More
Tucked away in northern Wisconsin, just a stone throw from the Minnesota border, the Village of Siren is a hidden treasure cherished by those who live there.  Only ninety minutes from the Twin Cities, Siren is one of those perfect places to plan a romantic getaway. The serene beauty creates memories that last a lifetime. There’s plenty to do, and the people are wonderful. Visitors remark time and again that the people in Siren are ... More
The City That Became a Town In the heart of Ojibwe territory, the Brainerd area was first discovered by Europeans in 1805. Renowned explorer, Zebulon Pike, stopped there on Christmas Day while searching for the headwaters of the Mississippi River. In 1870, the Northern Pacific Railroad built its Mississippi River crossing just a few miles upstream from the confluence with the Crow Wing River. "The Crossing" became a city in 1873. Northern ... More
Beauty & Business Take a boat tour on the waters of the world's largest open pit mine, eat garlic cheese bread at the Pizza Hut that invented it, and watch a paper coating machine that broke a world speed record, coating nearly a mile of paper a minute.  Where?  Grand Rapids! The county seat of Itasca County, Minnesota, has been a favorite vacation destination for over a hundred years.  The area’s one thousand fishing ... More
Ever seen a sunfish with sunglasses, swept the ice in a bonspiel, swayed to the rhythm and colors of a Native American pow-wow, or camped out for a weekend of country music?  Welcome to Detroit Lakes, county seat of Becker County, where you can enjoy a sense of fun and community all year round! Detroit Lakes is a water wonderland about forty minutes east of Fargo on Highway 10.  As the name implies, it definitely is lake country! ... More
Deep in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Hayward is one of those places where you plan things like a dream wedding, a gorgeous honeymoon, or the ultimate family vacation! Loggers come here from New Zealand to compete. Tough guy, Al Capone, used it as his own personal retreat. In the Hayward Area they’ve got it all - gorgeous natural settings, pleasant weather, world class restaurants and caterers, a thriving ... More
The year was 1966, the scene, the National Snowmobiling Championships - Detroit Lakes, the end of day one of racing. On the sidelines sat young Jack Chivers, one could not have missed him at six foot seven and 250 lbs but they may have missed what he was thinking. Basically a change of his life plans was taking place that very moment inside his head.  Before that moment, Jack Chivers – by the way you pronounce the ‘CH’ and ... More
As one who grew up in a larger metropolitan area, I also had the good fortune to belong to a family that owned a lake place on Cross Lake. Cross lake is a beautiful lake on the Whitefish chain of lakes near Brainerd, MN. I have wonderful memories of summers at the lake and of all those times spent with family enjoying life together. Especially memorable are the excursions to the dam near the public campground and times of canoeing with my dad ... More
Eagle River, WI is the seat of Vilas County, and is a water and nature lover’s delight! Only 23 miles from the Michigan border, it’s adjacent to the lower 10 lakes of the 28 Eagle River-Three Lakes chain of lakes. It’s surrounded by two major forests, the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest to the west, and the Nicolet to the east, both containing abundant wild life, including; black bear, white tailed deer, red fox, and ... More
As all roads lead to Rome, anyone headed to the Northwoods of Wisconsin will be passing through Spooner. In matter of fact, they'll be right in the middle of it all. With over 900 lakes in the area, who could resist dropping a line or taking a swim in the beautiful waters of Spooner Lake, Red Cedar Lake, or the Minong Flowage. Spooner's central location to the waters and its easy access to the many of the trails and parks in the area make it ... More
Visitors to the lakes region of central Minnesota, particularly those from Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area, describe generically describe their excursion as "going up north." Travelers typically experience a sense of "up northness" as they pass beyond Brainerd and approach the picturesque city of Nisswa. Leaving the corn, alfalfa and potato fields behind as they near Nisswa, travelers enter a world of crystalline lakes and lofty ... More
First City on the Mississippi. Home of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Curling Capital, USA. Bemidji is known for many things, the least of which being an ideal place for families to enjoy some time resting and relaxing. It was named in 1993, 1995 and 2002 as "One of the 100 Best Small Towns in America." Bemidji is an Ojibwe word, "Bay-may-ji-ga-maug" meaning "lake with cross waters" referring to the Mississippi River which crosses Lake ... More
Located in Itasca County, adjacent to the Mississippi River and her headwaters, is the city of Grand Rapids. Its nearly 8,000 residents live near fantastic woodlands and almost 1,000 lakes and ponds, which accounts for its popularity as a vacation destination. The city is the region's shopping center and has a long history of hospitality dating back to just past Minnesota's founding in the late 1850s. The first European settlers and ... More
Rumors of gold that had prospectors scouring the Lake Vermilion area in the 1860s, but it was the discovery of iron ore to which Tower and Soudan owe their existence. The deposits they found were rich and plentiful, leading to the establishment of the Soudan Mine in 1884, from which more than 15.5 million tons of iron ore were removed during its operation. The city of Soudan grew up around the mine. Nearby a town site was surveyed to serve ... More
There are 226 permanent residents of Tofte Township. Yet there are thousands who visit annually, envious at the lives these residents lead in and around what is arguably the most geographically beautiful location in all of Minnesota. Located 78 miles northeast of Duluth, Tofte is a destination noteworthy for all there is to do near the town. Tofte isn't designed to reward sedentary folk; it's geared toward those who want to make a break ... More
Grand Marais--The Gateway to the Great Outdoors Minnesota's North Shore is one of the most scenic destinations in all of the United States. Travel up Highway 61 northeast of Duluth and you will be amazed at the great sites along Lake Superior. Travel about 180 miles up Highway 61 and you will come to Grand Marais, a town of about 1,500 that offers a true outdoors experience. You can spend a day visiting downtown Grand Marais, checking out ... More
Tofte, MN There are 226 permanent residents of Tofte Township. Yet there are thousands who visit annually, envious at the lives these residents lead in and around what is arguably the most geographically beautiful location in all of Minnesota. Located 78 miles northeast of Duluth, Tofte is a destination noteworthy for all there is to do near the town. Tofte isn't designed to reward sedentary folk; it's geared toward those who want to make ... More
Formally known as Sibley and Frogtown, Pequot Lake is seemingly named for the Pequot Indian tribe who, strangely, existed in eastern Connecticut never inhabited the region. Some attribute the strange name choice to a variation of a Chippewa word for arrow, while others point to a native American woman named O-Pequot who helped the early settlers by allowing them to use her dugout as a school and church. This city offers idyllic conditions ... More
The Pine River Dam completed in 1886 was the boom that started the Crosslake area and its sole industry, logging. The chain of lakes was created in order to move the heavy beams from place to place, before that the lakes were not interconnected. The logging camp at Cross Lake had eating and sleeping accommodations for 1,400 men. The camp included large stables, office buildings, a blacksmith shop, a small roundhouse, and warehouses. ... More
Breezy Point, MN--Green Trees, Blue Water, Great People Located along the northern shores of Big Pelican Lake, Breezy Point has historically been a popular "up north" vacation destination. The area first began gaining popularity in the 1920s when Wilfred Hamilton Fawcett, the magazine publishing mogul popularly known as Capt. Billy, built the Breezy Point Resort in 1921. This impressive resort boasted a magnificent lodge built out of Norway ... More
Crow Wing County was named for the Crow Wing River, a somewhat erroneous translation of the original Ojibwe word, Kagiwigwan which means Raven or Raven's Feather. According to the native inhabitance, the bend of the river as it emptied into the nearby Mississippi resembled that of a raven's wing. The first European settlers entered the region during the Christmas season of 1805. Lt. Zebulon Montgomery Pike (later of Pike's Peak fame) was ... More
The village of Walker was founded on March 10, 1896, shortly after the railroad came from Brainerd to Walker. Cass County was one ten counties created out to the Minnesota Territory on May 1, 1851. The county was named after Governor Lewis Cass, of the Michigan Territory. Cass along with Schoolcraft, led the famous expedition of 40 men to discover the true source of the Mississippi River in 1820. The annual Eelpout Festival calls this city ... More
You'll be able to find a little bit of everything in this charming town. The winter months provide quality cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and any number of activities to keep the winter enthusiast occupied. Summers can be spent down by its many lakes boating, fishing, or just relaxing on the beach. However, if you are looking for some fun away from the water, Park Rapids will not disappoint. Why not catch the Northland ... More
While this town may claim to be the "Turtle Racing Capital of the World," don't think that it's all this city has to offer. Longville, Minnesota has been a popular vacation destination for several years now. Surrounded by lakes and forests, this city offers a diversity of activities all year round. Some of the best boating, hiking, and fishing spots can be found in this area during the summer and fall, while ice fishing, cross country ... More
The Township of Marcell, located 28 miles north of Grand Rapids, is noted for its resorts, wilderness, and water. Located in Itasca County, 200 miles north of Minneapolis and 100 miles northwest of Duluth, Marcell's economy is deeply tied to tourism and the lakes and forests that surround this hamlet. Except for Highway 38 and a few small privately owned parcels of land, the Chippewa National Forest and a cacophony of nearby lakes, ponds, ... More
Stillwater: The Birthplace of Minnesota Nestled comfortably on the banks of the St. Croix River, the town of Stillwater (population 16,000) offers small town charm with access to big city amenities to its visitors. Located about 20 miles east of downtown St. Paul and only minute away from the Wisconsin border, Stillwater offers breathtaking views overlooking the St. Croix River and a downtown district with many unique shops, stores and ... More
Sure, summer visitors enjoy Detroit Lakes and the 412 nearby lakes. They enjoy the nearby state parks and the bird watching along the migratory flight line. But Detroit Lakes has something most other communities lack: A huge music festival. Each August for 25 years, country music lovers have gathered at the Soo Pass Ranch outside Detroit Lakes for the WE Fest, a weekend of great country music featuring some of the country's top ... More
When you think of rural lake charm, you think of Perham. Nestled in the northeast corner of Otter Tail County, Perham is a four seasons recreational paradise with hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails and 1,100 of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes. Founded more than 125 years ago, Perham is named after Josiah Perham, the first president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The railroad arrived in Otter Tail County in 1871. A mercantile store was ... More
Fergus Falls began in 1857 when Joe Whitford was sent by his employer, James Fergus, to find a site for a new community. Along the way he encountered an Indian family who told him where there was a big falls. After finding the rapids, Whitford staked out a town site and named it Fergus Falls in honor of his employer. Today, Fergus Falls has grown into a thriving multi-ethnic community. 13,471 now call Fergus Falls home. More than 40 percent ... More
"Easy to find. Hard to leave," that's what the locals say about their slice of Minnesota paradise. Formed by receding glaciers over 20,000 years ago, the Alexandria Lakes Region has breathtaking natural beauty with its lakes, forests, and rolling hillsides. The city itself has had a storied history growing from an early pioneer settlement, to a civil war era outpost, to the bustling town that stands there today. Some historians even believe ... More
Minocqua, located in the northwest corner of Oneida County, was organized and obtained Township status on March 13, 1889. Minocqua has an approximate year-round population of 4,821, and is the largest township in the northern half of the country. Minocqua's major industry is tourism and the population nearly quadruples in the summer months. The name Minocqua is said to be derived from the Chippewa Indian word "Ninocqua," meaning "noon-day ... More
Cable's story begins in 1659 when French explorers, Radisson and Grosellier hired Native American guides to take them across Lake Superior and into the head of Chequamegon Bay. Although primarily interested in opening trading relations with the local Indians, these early explorers often wrote home describing the beauty of Lake Superior and the surrounding forests. Their exploration of what is now Bayfield County proved to be quite ... More
A few miles east of St. Croix Falls one can find the Village of Turtle Lake. With over 250 named lakes nestle amid the rolling hills and woodlands, one finds themselves right in the middle of what the Wisconsin Northwoods has to offer.  These forests of pine, maple, oak, and birch are homes to a wide variety of wildlife including bear, fox, deer, loons, herons, wild turkey, and the always majestic bald eagle. Originally the area was ... More
Located on the banks of the St. Croix River, the city of St. Croix Falls stands as the "gateway" between the upper and lower halves of this historic river valley. Founded in 1837, St. Croix Falls stood as a hub for all the traders and the trappers as they transported their goods up and down the river valley. The famous French Canadian Voyagers would often pass through St. Croix as they traveled through the river valley trading furs and dry ... More
The first settlers came to our area in 1856, followed by the railroad in 1869.  Willmar was named for Leon Willmar, a Flemish land agent for the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. Willmar is the home of the Kandiyohi County Fair. Held each August, this celebration offers a little something for everyone, from baking to flowers, livestock to antique tractors. The kids will love the rides and you'll enjoy all the food, music, and entertainment ... More
Spicer and New London Located on the shores of Green Lake, Spicer and its next door neighbor, New London ideal country retreats. Kandiyohi County boasts over 100 lakes, most of them around these two towns. So naturally, Spicer is home to over a dozen top-notch lakeside resorts and a healthy selection of campgrounds. Visitors are also located near the beautiful Glacier Ridge Trail, where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding ... More
White Bear Lake--Big City Lake, Small Town Lifestyle If you want a great lake lifestyle and experience while staying close to Metro roots, then White Bear Lake is a great place to be. Called The City of Lakes and Legends, White Bear Lake was incorporated more than 125 years ago and is located on the northeast edge of Minneapolis and St. Paul, close to the hustle and bustle of the city, yet serene enough to make you feel like you are away ... More
When it comes to summer fun, Wayzata is the place to be. With music, fairs, an annual founders day celebration and even steamboat rides, Wayzata is the real deal. The name Wayzata (pronounced Wise-etta) comes from the American Sioux word Waziyata. "Waziya" was their god of the North, a giant who blew the cold winds from his mouth. With the suffix "ta" added, the name meant "North Shore." In 1852, two pioneer families settled on the present ... More
Bunyan buffs will know that this town is the home of Lucette Diana Kensack, Paul's girlfriend and eventual wife. They celebrate this union during the Paul and Lucette Wedding Anniversary Celebration held in June. The carnival like atmosphere includes arts and crafts, remote controlled airplane demonstrations and a canoe race. Music lovers will enjoy Sweetheart Days in July, Lucette's very own rock 'n' roll festival, and fans of wood carving ... More

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