MN Geography Atlas Project
Stephanie Hughes
Different Parts of Minnesota
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ATLAS PAGES USED:
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead: page 47
Heartland: page 54
Southern Prairies: 67
Bluff Country: 77
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Superior National Forest
• This national forest was established in 1909.
• It is known for its northern forest ecosystem, its
abundance of clean lakes, and it’s cultural
history.
• It is home to the one million-acre Boundary
Waters Canoe Wilderness Area
• Common recreational activities include:
camping, canoeing, fishing, swimming, skiing,
hiking, hunting, and snowmobiling
•
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQoY6IeDdGCqCPO
BqwDLGAAjgb6fh75uan6BdnZaY6OiooA1tkqlQ!!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjBNMDAwMDAwMDA!/?
ss=110909&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003853&navid=091000000000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYSUBJEC
T&ttype=main&pname=Superior%2520National%2520Forest-%2520Home/about/history/index.php
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Superior National Forest
• Fish species include walleye, northern pike, smallmouth
bass, lake trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown
trout which can be found amongst the 695 square miles
of surface water in the forest alone.
• Wildlife species include moose, deer, black bear, and
grey wolf. Northern Minnesota is home to the last of the
grey wolf species in most of the United States.
• This forest also consists of many different species of
trees including fir, pine, and spruce trees.
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http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8z
PwhQoY6BdkOyoCAPkATlA!/?ss=110909&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003840&navid=17000000
0000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&ttype=main&pname=Superior%20National%20Forest%20About%20the%20Forest
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Cloquet Valley State Forest
• This pine forest was logged in the late 1800searly 1900s.
• Before the horses and railroad were used to
transport the logs to mills in Cloquet, oxen were
used.
• In 1931, the state forest was established by the
Minnesota Legislature.
• The forests initial boundaries included 12
townships but was later expanded to 327,000
acres.
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http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00013/about.html
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Cloquet Valley State Forest
• Recreation:
– Camping,
canoeing/kayaking, fishing,
hunting
– Hiking trails, A.T.V. trails,
off-highway motorcycing,
snowmobiling
– North Shore, Gooseberry
Falls, Split-rock lighthouse
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http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00013/index.html
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth
• How Duluth got its name:
– Original inhabitants, Ojibwe and Sioux, settled
near Lake Superior.
– A French explorer, Daniel Greysolon, a.k.a.
Sieur du Lhut, made peace with the tribes and
they named the city after him.
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http://www.downtownduluth.com/history.htm
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth: The Depot
• Arts and Culture
– Duluth Art Institute: This institution holds art exhibitions and art
directive programs.
– Minnesota Ballet stages: This ballet has 3 performances every
year ranging from classical ballet shows to contemporary dance
shows.
– Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra: Ever since it was founded
in 1932, this orchestra puts on 28 concerts a year, plus
additional holiday concerts and other performances.
– Matinee Musicale: This cultural organization is duluth’s oldest;
they search for talented young musicians in Minnesota and
promote them.
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http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Midwest/Duluth-Recreation.html
Duluth Depot
Duluth Art Institute
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth: The Depot
– Duluth Playhouse: This community theater is one of
the oldest in the nation; it was founded in 1914.
• artists from nearby towns hold theatrical performances here
• They also have a theater for little ones, they refer to it as
Children’s Theatre Arts program
• On top of that they have a satellite theatre called the Play
Ground.
– Another performing arts place that offers organized shows that
include theatre, dance, music, poetry, art, and film.
– This place is a great place to catch performances by your
favorite local emerging and experienced artists
•
http://visitduluth.com/attractions/listings.php?page=general_attractions
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth: The Depot
– Tweed Museum of Art: This museum is on
the UMD campus. They have 9 historical
and contemporary exhibitions as well as the
Sax Sculpture Conservatory.
• Over the years, they have collected over 6,000
objects that represent different cultures and
historical art time periods.
• This museum has become a huge cultural and
educational resource for the North Eastern
Minnesota community on the UMD capus.
• They aim to inspire visitors of any age to come
view and appreciate their handcrafted and unique
merchandise.
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http://visitduluth.com/attractions/listings.php?page=general_attractions
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth: Attractions
• The Edge: Resort and Waterpark
– This resort has been compared to a Polynesian
indoor waterpark
– The waterpark’s theme is tropical island
• It consists of an exploding volcano
• Other polynesian themed water attractions
• There are two 4 story high waterslides with splash pools at
the bottom of each
• There is also a wet and wild play area designated for the little
ones
– Tiki Tom’s Oasis and Grill is the place to hang out
and grab some grub.
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http://visitduluth.com/attractions/listings.php?page=general_attractions
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth: Attractions
• Great Lakes Aquarium
– Guests can explore the animals and ecosystems from the Great Lakes
in this hands-on center.
– Guests can personally experience the geology that formed Lake
Superior
– Watch the aquarium’s divers feed fish in a 2 story tank
– Move locks up and down on a fit-to-scale model of the Great Lakes
– Be the pilot of a virtual ore boat going underneath the Lift Bridge
– Pet sturgeon and other freshwater stingrays
– Look around at 70 different numerous species of fish, birds, reptiles,
amphibians, and mammals
– Watch seahorses, river otters, and other residents of the Amazon River
swim, play, and eat
– They also host birthday parties, wedding receptions, reunions, and
business events
http://visitduluth.com/attractions/listings.php?page=general_attractions
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth: Attractions
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Lake Superior Zoo
– Located on 16 acres of rocky hills as well as containing pines and the Kingsbury
Creek in Spirit Valley
– This zoo is home to:
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Siberian tigers
Snow leopards
Cougars
Polar bears
Alaskan grizzly and kodiak bears
African lions
Harbor seals
Kangaroos
Bats
Reptiles
monkeys
– You can watch zookeepers feed the animals
– Ride on zoo train
– Visit gift shop or café
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http://visitduluth.com/attractions/listings.php?page=general_attractions
Duluth Zoo
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth: Recreation
• Spirit Mountain
– 175 acres of skiing
available
– 22 runs
– Big Air Terrain Park with
Super Pipe
– 22km of trails for crosscountry skiing
– There is now not one, but
TWO beginner areas
– And another conveyor lift
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http://visitduluth.com/attractions/listings.php?page=gen
eral_attractions
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth: Recreation
• Walking
– Lake Superior waterfront
has a gorgeous overview of
the Lake
– Shops and restaurants are
located on the neighboring
streets and along the
boardwalk
– The sculptures along the
waterfront represent social,
cultural, and historical
values of Duluth
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http://visitduluth.com/attractions/listings.php?page=gen
eral_attractions
Bogs-Iron Range- Arrowhead:
Duluth: Recreation
• White Water Rafting
– Rafting areas are on the St. Louis River in Carlton
– Lasts about 2-3 hours
• Lutsen
– Mountain Tram is a 2 mile ride in a gondola up to Moose
Mountain
– While riding, you can view the scenery of Lake Superior and the
North Shore mountains
– Hiking trails available and a mountain-top restaurant
– Horseback Riding trails through the Sawtooth mountains are
available
– Mountain Bike Park: 30 miles of designated bike trails
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http://visitduluth.com/attractions/listings.php?page=general_attractions
White Water Rafting and Lutsen
Heartland: Pine River
• Pine River
– In 1983,this town became the
birthplace of the Paul Bunyan multiuse trail as well as Paul Bunyan’s
baby boots, and the Babe Green
Recycling Ox
– History behind trail: Burlington
Northern Railroad decided to vacate
the rail line from Brainerd to Bemidji.
The President of the Pine River
Chamber of Commerce requested a
solution from the Chamber of
Commerce and they passed the
request. This city was the first along
the trail to pass a resolution and stick
with it for 15 years which eventually
became the Paul Bunyan Trail !
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http://www.pinerivermn.com/
http://www.pinerivermn.com/PB_Trail.htm
Heartland: Pine River
– Railroad Depot recently
moved its location and
went under renovation
– It is located along the Paul
Bunyan trail
• It had been restored and
repainted
• The fire department added
a 1919 horse drawn fire
engine exhibit
• as well as adding a red
caboose !
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http://www.pinerivermn.com/
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http://www.pinerivermn.com/PB_Trail.htm
Heartland: Pine River
• Pine River
– New this year, this city has
added a historic
walking/bicycling tour of the
history of the city!
– This city has a college
called Pine River Backus
Central Lakes College
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http://www.pinerivermn.com/
Heartland: Crow Wing State Forest
• Crow Wing consists
of 33,713 acres of
diverse forests
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Pines
conifer bogs
Wet prairies
Pelican beach
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00014/index.html
Heartland: Crow Wing State Forest
• Hiking
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1.7 Miles Hiking
17.3 Miles Class I ATV
17.3 Miles Class II ATV
17.3 Miles Off-Highway Motorcycling
Pine River State Water Trail
Mississippi River State Water Trail
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http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00014/index.html
Heartland: Crow Wing State Forest
• Recreation
– Camping at Greer Lake Campground
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Swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and hunting
Boat ramps available for lake use
Canoeing and kayaking are common activities
Picnic and swimming areas available
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00014/index.html
Heartland: Crosby
• History
– This town’s purpose was
for mining
– In 1932, the city elected the
first communist mayor in
the history of the United
States
– Location of worst mining
incident in MN in 1924
– In 1957, Dr. David Simons
was apart of the Man High
Project which was basically
baby steps into the United
States space exploration
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosby,_Minnesot
a viewed on 6-26-11
Heartland: Crosby
• The Cuyuna Range once rich in red
iron ore, is now closed off and filled
with crystal-clear water
• Now-a-days, their major industry is
the Cuyuna Regional Medical
Center. This Medical Center is one of
the finest in the region.
• Serpent Lake is great for fishing and
has a giant serpent statue on the
lakeshore that greets visitors when
entering the city
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http://www.cityofcrosby.com/
http://www.cityofcrosby.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={195A7D60-67C9-4FC8-BFD0-CC92E619A7EF}
Heartland: Crosby
• Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is
undergoing construction but will eventually be 22
miles of world class, IMBA certified bike trails
• Croft Mine Historical Park is a 17-acre park used
to be an active underground iron ore mine up
until 1934. It was originally 630 feet in depth.
– There are now guided simulation tours of the
underground mine
– The museum has mining artifacts from the once
active mine
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http://www.cityofcrosby.com/index.asp?Type=B_LOC&SEC={095CA009-3144-45E1-AAB6-D268F28AEB3A}&DE={467982E9-C4D9-47FE-B5EC04552B3B0DCC}
Heartland: Crosby
• Cuyuna Lakes Trail is a multipurpose state trail that winds
through the 5,000 acres of
Cuyuna Country State
Recreation Area
• Activities along the trail
include:
– Biking
– Mountain Biking
– In-Line Skating (or Roller
Blading)
– Running
– Walking
– Skiing
– Hiking
– Fishing
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http://cuyunalakestrail.org/
Heartland: Brainerd
• Historical Events:
– Northern Pacific railroad strike of 1922 that lasted for
decades before finally coming to an end.
– 20 years later, Brainerd’s National Guard was caught
by Japanese invasion in Philippines. This event
resulted in imprisonment, injury, and even death.
– In 1872, two indians were lynched on Front Street
because they were thought to be involved in
murdering a missing girl.
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http://brainerdhistory.com/stories/ear_1002030001.shtml
Heartland: Brainerd
• Historical Events:
– In 1876, Brainerd “elected”
Thomas Lanihan as a joke
– A branch of Brainerd’s First
National Bank lost about
$32,000 when they were held
up in 1933
– North Pacific railroad bridge
collapsed in 1875 resulting in
4 fatalities
– In 1929, a fire destroyed the
old Washington High School
building.
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http://brainerdhistory.com/stories/ear_1002030001.shtml
Heartland: Brainerd
• Brainerd is one of the
largest cities in Central
Minnesota
• One of five medevac
helicopter flight stations
is located in Brainerd
• Brainerd International
Raceway hosts races
throughout the year
and an annual national
drag racing meet in
August
•
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainerd,_Minnesota
– Viewed 6/27/11
Heartland: Brainerd
• Culture
– Brainerd is home to
“native” Paul Bunyan.
– They have the world’s
largest animated statue of
Paul which was recently
moved to a few miles east
of the town after the Paul
Bunyan amusement center
had closed down in 2003
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainerd,_Minnesota
Viewed 6/27/11
Heartland: Brainerd
Culture
– In 1999, 21 year old
Farrah Slad won (what
used to be)
Minnesota’s largest
lottery prize of $150
million from a
Powerball ticket
– A fictional version of
Brainerd was apart of
the 1996 movie Fargo
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainerd,_Minneso
ta viewed: 6/27/11
Heartland:
Camp Ripley Military Reservation
• History
– This camp is state-owned
by the military
– 53,000 acres
– This camp is the primary
field training site for the
Minnesota Army National
Guard.
– It got its name from the
remains of Fort Ripley
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http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/campripley/SpecFeatures/Hi
stCR.htm
Heartland:
Camp Ripley Military Reservation
• In the 1970’s, Camp
Ripley underwent
renovation to build a
heated year-round
barracks to transform the
camp from summer
training to year-round
training
• They also added
education for all branches
of the military as well as
law enforcement
personnel
•
http://www.minnesotanationalguard.org/campripley/
SpecFeatures/HistCR.htm
Southern Prairies: Benson
• History
– The first white settler arrived in 1866
– Early development was linked to the use
of the railroad
– Benson got its name in memory of a
politician from Anoka
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http://www.bensonmn.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={184CBC31-B865-4F0E-B396-8E45B507A398}
Southern Prairies: Benson
• History
– 1893 first telephone operated by Dr. C.L.
Scofield
– 1895 waterworks were constructed
– 1901 cement sidewalks were constructed
– 1902 Power and light plant built and was
purchased by the City of Benson
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http://www.bensonmn.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={184CBC31-B865-4F0E-B396-8E45B507A398}
Southern Prairies: Benson
• The city has a total of 2.5 sq miles
• The entire city is land. There are no lakes or
Rivers.
• U.S. Route 12 and Minnesota State highways 9
and 29 are the main routes in this city
• In 2007, Benson opened the United States' first
biomass powerplant referred to as Fibrominn.
• Home to the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company
(CVEC), which produces E85.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benson,_Minnesota viewed: 6/27/11
Southern Prairies: Benson
Southern Prairies: Montevideo
• During 18th century areas
around Montevideo were
fur trading posts.
• Later, Montevideo
became an agricultural
center
• Montevideo was involved
in the Dakota Conflict of
1862
• The Camp Release
monument was dedicated
in 1894
Southern Prairies: Montevideo
• Montevideo is surrounded by farmlands,
prairies, scenic overlooks, and bluffs
• 4.5 sq miles with .1 sq mile of Montevideo
being water
– Montevideo is where the Minnesota River and
Chippewa Rivers come together
Southern Prairies: Montevideo
• In 2005, the movie Sweetland was filmed
in Montevideo
– It took 24 days to film
– Locals served as extras and contributed cars
and farm implements for the film
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montevideo,_Minnesota
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Land
Southern Prairies: Montevideo
Southern Prairies: Granite Falls
• History
– Granite Falls was established as a city in
1889
– It received it’s name from the outcrops of
granite and gneiss in the MN river
– George Daniels served as the first
postmaster, county surveyor, first judge of
probate for the county, and ferry owner.
– Great Northern Railroad was located here.
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http://www.lakesnwoods.com/GraniteFalls.htm#History
Southern Prairies: Granite Falls
• Granite Falls is 3.7 sq miles while .2 sq
miles of its land consists of water
• David Smiglewski is the mayor
• Chippewa and Yellow Medicine are the
counties located within Granite Falls
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http://www.lakesnwoods.com/GraniteFalls.htm#Schools
Southern Prairies: Granite Falls
• Chippewa and Yellow Medicine were hit by a
tornado in July 25, 2000.
• It first touched down in the rural parts of town,
moving into the residential areas.
• It was on the ground for over 9 miles from 6:10
pm to 6:25 pm.
• There was more than a dozen left injured, one
fatality and the surrounding areas suffered
millions of dollars in damages to the properties
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granite_Falls,_Minnesota viewed 6/27/11
Southern Prairies: Granite Falls
Southern Prairies: Granite Falls
Bluff Country: Hastings
• History
– Located in Dakota County
– Near conjunction of Minnesota and St. Croix
rivers
– It was named after their first elected governor,
Henry Hastings Sibley
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings,_Minneso
ta viewed 6/26/11
Bluff Country: Hastings
• Attractions
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East Second Street Commercial Historic District
Alexis Bailly Vineyard
Hastings High School
LeDuc Historic Estate
Lock and Dam No. 2
Ramsey Mill Ruins
Vermillion Falls Park
West Second Street Residential Historic District
• Hastings High Bridge
– Located on Hastings busiest road, U.S. Highway 61
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings,_Minnesota viewed 6/26/11
Bluff Country: Hastings
Bluff Country: Hastings
Bluff Country: Farmington
• History
– Located in Dakota County
– founded at intersection of the Minnesota Central, the
Hastings and Dakota railroads, and the Vermillion
River
– Original name was Dakota City
– Popular city train station was Farmington Station
– Visitors confused name of town with train station so
name was officially changed to Farmington
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmington,_Minnesota
viewed 6/26/11
Bluff Country: Farmington
• Farmington is the location of the Minneapolis Air Route
Traffic Control Center (ZMP) and a Marigold Kemps
packing plant
• 12.5 square miles, none of which is water
• Farmington schools currently enroll about 5,000
students.
• The late pornographic actress Colleen Applegate, aka
Shawna Grant, was from Farmington. She graduated
from Farmington High School and was also a
cheerleader there.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmington,_Minnesota
• Viewed 6/26/11
Bluff Country: Farmington
Bluff Country: Red Wing
• History
– Red Wing was owned by the Spanish and
French until 1803
– U.S. bought it under Louisiana Purchase
– Red Wing is one of the leading manufacturing
cities in MN. They make products such as
shoes, pottery, leather, linseed oil, safety
products, and robotic products.
– http://www.red-wing.org/redwinghistory.html
Bluff Country: Red Wing
• They claim to be a
cosmopolitan city
bordering the “Father of
Waters”
• It is a pleasurable place
to get-away to.
– It has great scenery
– Many people own boats or
cruisers to cruise down the
Mississippi River
– http://www.redwing.org/redwinghistory.ht
ml
Bluff Country: Red Wing
• In 1904 began the Red Wing Depot construction
• J.M. Netterstrom, the railroad company architect
designed the Depot
• Other attractions:
– Blodgett Memorial Gateway at Oakwood Cemetery
– Gateway to Memorial Park,
– both were designed by a Minnesota architect by the
name of Clarence Johnson.
– http://www.red-wing.org/redwinghistory.html
Bluff Country: Red Wing
Bluff Country: Pine Island
• History
– Goodhue and Olmstead Counties
– U.S. Route 52 is the main route
– Pine Island Area Historical Society was
organized in 1998
– Indians referred to a beautiful spot in what is
now Pine Island as Wa-zu-wee-ta
• This translated to Island of Pines in English
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Island,_Minnesota viewed: 6/27/11
http://www.pineislandhistory.org/about-pine-island
Bluff Country: Pine Island
• History
– The first settlers: In 1854, Josiah Haggard and H. B.
Powers arrived in Pine Island
– 1856: sawmill and Post Office established.
– White pines made up about 200,000 board feet of
lumber.
– Chicago Northwestern,the first railroad, was built in
1878 from Rochester to Red Wing.
– In 1902 the Chicago Great Western built a parallel
line from Rochester to Zumbrota that is now the
Douglas Trail.
– http://www.pineislandhistory.org/about-pine-island
Bluff Country: Pine Island
• Pine Island is home to many parks
– Main Street Park: In the center of downtown with a
stage where concerts are held throughout the
summer
– Collins Park: In the northwest section of
town containing shelters and trees for picnicking
– Douglas Trail is a 13 mile, multiple use state trail
developed on the abandoned Chicago Northwestern
Railroad grade.
• One treadway is surfaced with bituminous pavement for
bicyclists, hikers, and snowmobilers
• the other for horseback riders and cross-country skiers
• http://cc.pineislandmn.com/attractions.asp
Bluff Country: Pine Island