Biwabik Township (T. 58N, R. 16W) and its city in sections
1-4, 9-11, on the Mesabi Iron Range, have an Ojibwe name, meaning "iron."
The city was incorporated as a village on November 10, 1892, and reincorporated
and separated from the township on April 8, 1909; its post office began
in 1893.
Biwabik (1,448 alt., 1,304 pop.), eclipsing some of the
older range settlements and being eclipsed by some of the newer, has a virtual
monopoly Mesabi "firsts." Its name is an Ojibway term meaning "valuable,"
applied to iron ore by the Indians as mining developed.
In the valley of the historic Embarrass River, traveled
by Indians and fur traders (see Embarrass), the site of the village evidently
was an Indian camping ground, as several mounds near by would indicate.
In 1865-66, prospectors rushing to the reputed gold fields of the Lake Vermilion
district visited the site, for the famous Vermilion Trail passed through
here.
The "gold rush" was succeeded by the search for iron ore
and the development of mines on the Vermilion Range; explorations, however,
did not extend to this section at the eastern end of the Mesabi, and the
Biwabik deposits lay dormant for a few years more.
In 1891, one of the Merritt parties (see Mountain Iron)
was fine-combing the Biwabik district. While Indians were encamped about
the location, watching proceedings with interest, a thrill of excitement
spread. The miners had turned up high-grade blue ore at what later became
the Biwabik Mine (north end Cincinnati Ave.). Samples were sent to Duluth
on sleds. Almost simultaneously, ore was discovered at near-by locations,
now the Cincinnati (part of the Biwabik), and the Hale and Kanawha mines
(both abandoned). A town site was platted on Embarrass Lake, between the
Biwabik and Hale mines, and named Merritt for the pioneers.
Mining developed and other town sites were platted, among
them one just north of the Biwabik Mine and a mile west of Merritt. This
was the embryo Biwabik. Its first supplies were carried from Mesaba Station,
the nearest railroad point, about ten miles away. A story is told that a
raft was floated down the Embarrass River from Tower to carry Biwabik's
first beer. In comparison with Merritt, Biwabik grew slowly; nonetheless,
by September, 1892, it was incorporated as a village.
In 1893, two events hastened the decline of Merritt and
the rise of Biwabik : the Mesabi Range branch of the Duluth and Iron Range
Railroad ran its line to Biwabik, and Merritt practically was destroyed
by fire. All the inhabitants moved to Biwabik. As in other range towns,
men from many different nations came to earn a living from the mines.
Biwabik was the first of the now existing Mesabi Range
towns to be incorporated - as a village, the first to be served by two railroads
(the Duluth, Missabe and Northern and the Duluth and Iron Range vied in
extending their lines to the rich mines); it had the first large mine on
the Mesabi (the Biwabik), which was the first to be leased to an outside
furnace (see The Iron Ore Ranges), and was the first to use a steam shovel
in mining operations.
The only mine that has been working steadily in the last
few years is the Biwabik, an open pit. With the shut-down of some of the
mines, many miners turned to farming. Nationally known certified seed potatoes
are grown around Biwabik. Dairying is carried on in the surrounding territory.
The town has two schools, with 24 teachers and 300 pupils.
Horace Mann High and Washington Grade schools are equipped with a particularly
fine swimming pool. Near-by Esquagama Lake (see Arrowhead Tour 4) offers
facilities for all water sports and outdoor recreation.
The WPA Guide to the Minnesota Arrowhead
Country, 1941
There are
454 households out of which 25.1% have children under the
age of 18 living with them, 44.1% are
married couples living together, 9.5% have a female
householder with no husband present, and 41.4% are non-families.
37.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.6%
have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older.
The average household size is 2.09 and the average family
size is 2.69.
In the city the population is spread out
with 20.8% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.6%
from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who are 65
years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every
100 females there are 92.7 males. For every 100 females
age 18 and over, there are 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the
city is $28,359, and the median income for a family is $37,386.
Males have a median income of $41,250 versus $21,136 for
females. The
per capita income for the city is $16,182. 17.0% of
the population and 11.7% of families are below the
poverty line. Out of the total population, 29.9% of
those under the age of 18 and 11.1% of those 65 and older
are living below the poverty line.
Picture yourself having a great summer camp experience at the St.
Louis County 4-H Camp on Lake Eshquagama. You'll be having fun with
other campers your same age, sleeping in modern log cabins or in
the main lodge, eating in the main lodge, and enjoying the sandy
beaches and pine forest our camp has to offer. Available to 4-H
members and the general public.
The Legend at Giants Ridge
and NEW Quarry at Giants Ridge offer 36 holes of the Midwest's
greatest golf. The Quarry was recently cited as "The Best
Golf of the 21st Century," by Golf Digest writer Ron Whitten.
Tour our spectacular courses online and you'll know why
Giants Ridge was named among the "Top Six Golf Destinations
in the World," by GolfWorld magazine.
Giants Ridge is the Midwest's hottest summer resort and
coolest winter destination!
Rated as Minnesota's #1 Ski Resort (SKI magazine, 2003.),
Giants Ridge also offers 34 downhill runs, more than 60
km of cross country ski trails and one of Minnesota's hottest
terrain parks.
No matter what time of year you visit, we've got miles of
year-round recreation trails, lake access, unbeatable lodging
accommodations, dining, shopping, and much more.
The
Taconite State Trail stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely
and intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail just west of Lake
Vermillion. Portions are paved for biking and in-line skating. The
remainder of the natural surface trail is used primarily for snowmobiling
in the winter. The trail goes through a few areas that have standing
water in the summer, however portions of the trail are suitable
for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking.
The Taconite Trail winds through forests of birch
and aspen intertwined with pine, leading the visitor by many isolated
lakes and streams. From Grand Rapids heading north, you see the
impact of the taconite and iron mining industry. The northern portion
of the trail terrain is rolling and tree covered as it winds through
state and national forest land.
Eight trail waysides and picnic facilities offer
scenic vistas of the hills, lakes and rivers of this area. The trail
also links three state parks: Bear Head Lake, Soudan Underground
Mine, and McCarthy Beach. The landscape in and around Bear Head
Lake State Park is very rolling and rocky.
Weihnachtsfest
- Biwabik's Winter Lighting Festival - held the first Saturday in
December, has been part of the town's holiday tradition for the
past 18 years. Activities commence at 11 a.m. with a children's
musical presented by area youth. You can stroll down Main Street
checking out craft tables at the local church, Senior Center and
the Bavarian-themed City Hall Complex. Near the town's Carl Schuster
Memorial Park, step up to the Weihnachtsfest Candy Haus, where boxes
of homemade sweets are for sale. You can also purchase tickets here
for horse-drawn trolley rides through town. Lunch at the Park Pavilion
features the region's ethnic specialties: sarmas (meat and rice
rolled in cabbage leaves), pasties (similar to a hot meat pie) and
Italian beef sandwiches - all accompanied by music, perhaps a local
polka band or the high school jazz ensemble. Later, browse the bake-sale
tables for homemade cookies, cardamom bread and Slavik potica (a
walnut-filled sweet bread). At 6 p.m. everyone gathers by the park
gazebo to sing carols and watch as the switch is flipped and the
entire park is instantly set aglow with sparkling white lights.
Afterward, fireworks illuminate the dark winter sky.
Located
among the pines, lakes, and mines of Northeast Minnesota, the Mesabi
East School District provides quality education for students of
all ages. Serving the cities of Aurora, Biwabik, and Hoyt
Lakes as well as the surrounding rural communities, Mesabi East's
primary focus is to help youngsters fulfill their highest potential
as students and as people.
Mesabi East
High School offers excellent college preparation courses
as well as the top vocational courses available in northern
Minnesota. Our students can choose from high level courses
in English, science, math, and social studies that can be
taken for dual enrollment through the freshman year of college.
Students in auto, welding, and machining can test out of
coursework at the vocational college level. The Mesabi East
music program, both instrumental and vocal, are known throughout
the area as premier programs. Students graduating from Mesabi
East High School are well prepared to meet the rigorous
demands of citizenship and are equipped with skills to either
enter the job market or to continue their education.
Bonita's Nordic
Imports is located in the picturesque, Alpine-style City of Biwabik,
Minnesota, just five miles from Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort.
The shop features distinctive imported collectibles: Arabia dinnerware,
iittala Finnish crystal, Hackman cookware & flatware, Aarikka &
Kalevala Koru jewelry, Scandinavian sweaters, linens, Heritage Lace,
Hanna Korvela area rugs and sauna textiles, Solje jewelry, Danish
iron, Carl Larsson figurines & prints, candles, Scandinavian preserves,
coffee, music, and much more. Bonita's Nordic Imports is owned by
Bonita Lynch, who celebrates her Finnish ancestry with old-fashioned
personalized service in a cozy atmosphere.
Pull-through sites available,
pets allowed in campground, Campground open in fall, hot showers
in campground, campground accessible to disabled, secluded campsites
available, sanitary dump station available.
The
Taconite State Trail stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely
and intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail just west of Lake
Vermillion. Portions are paved for biking and in-line skating. The
remainder of the natural surface trail is used primarily for snowmobiling
in the winter. The trail goes through a few areas that have standing
water in the summer, however portions of the trail are suitable
for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. 
Weihnachtsfest
- Biwabik's Winter Lighting Festival - held the first Saturday in
December, has been part of the town's holiday tradition for the
past 18 years. Activities commence at 11 a.m. with a children's
musical presented by area youth. You can stroll down Main Street
checking out craft tables at the local church, Senior Center and
the Bavarian-themed City Hall Complex. Near the town's Carl Schuster
Memorial Park, step up to the Weihnachtsfest Candy Haus, where boxes
of homemade sweets are for sale. You can also purchase tickets here
for horse-drawn trolley rides through town. Lunch at the Park Pavilion
features the region's ethnic specialties: sarmas (meat and rice
rolled in cabbage leaves), pasties (similar to a hot meat pie) and
Italian beef sandwiches - all accompanied by music, perhaps a local
polka band or the high school jazz ensemble. Later, browse the bake-sale
tables for homemade cookies, cardamom bread and Slavik potica (a
walnut-filled sweet bread). At 6 p.m. everyone gathers by the park
gazebo to sing carols and watch as the switch is flipped and the
entire park is instantly set aglow with sparkling white lights.
Afterward, fireworks illuminate the dark winter sky.
Located
among the pines, lakes, and mines of Northeast Minnesota, the Mesabi
East School District provides quality education for students of
all ages. Serving the cities of Aurora, Biwabik, and Hoyt
Lakes as well as the surrounding rural communities, Mesabi East's
primary focus is to help youngsters fulfill their highest potential
as students and as people.
