Location:
The county seat of Itasca County, Grand Rapids is located 180 miles north
of the Twin Cities. Grand Rapids is a major regional center that serves
more than 40,000 people.
Grand Rapids Township received its name from the location
of its village, the county seat, beside rapids of the Mississippi, having
a fall of five feet in a third of a mile. The city was incorporated as a
village June 11, 1891, and as a city in 1957; established as the county
seat on November 8, 1892, following a long fight with La Prairie for the
designation. Although logging camps, trading posts, and buildings were on
the site earlier, the first permanent building was the Potter Company general
store in 1872; Lowe G. Seavey, first postmaster in 1874, built the first
hotel; a station of the Duluth and Winnipeg Railroad was built in 1890;
one of the major businesses is the Blandin Paper Company and its Blandin
Foundation.
Grand Rapids (1,290 alt., 4,875 pop.), Itasca County seat,
the radial point of several important highways, is the home of one of the
largest paper mills in the Northwest.
Not much lumbering was carried on in the vicinity until
1860. The heavy stands of Norway and white pine finally proved too great
a temptation, and, between 1870 and 1890, logs on their way to sawmills
farther south fairly choked the Mississippi and its tributaries. Shortly
after 1870, Warren Potter, the "Father of Grand Rapids," built a log store
building at the spot, thus founding the permanent settlement.
In 1890, the Duluth and Winnipeg Railroad reached Grand
Rapids, and so many settlers came in its wake that the village was incorporated
in 1891. (A "Golden Jubilee Celebration" of the event drew crowds of visitors
on July 18, 19, and 20, 1941.) With the discovery of iron ore on the western
Mesabi Range (see Mountain Iron), prospectors hastened to the region, but
lumbering continued to be the leading industry. In 1894, the first railroad
station was destroyed by fire. That same year, a waterworks system was constructed,
and, on Thanksgiving Eve, the Pokegama Hotel was illuminated by the first
electric lights in the town. A dam was built at the rapids of the Mississippi
in 1899 to supply water power, and a year later lath and shingle mills commenced
operations that continued until 1918, the date of the last log drive down
the river from the Itasca County region.
In 1902, a paper mill was erected that subsequently was
taken over by the Blandin Paper Company (32 W. 1st St.; visitors not permitted).
Remodeled, of cream-colored brick and trimmed with white terra cotta, it
is modern in every respect. Its windowless design insures adequate space
and standard control of air-conditioning and lighting facilities—important
factors in paper making. One of the most modern paper mills in the Northwest,
the Blandin Paper Company employs 225 persons; in the last 20 years it has
increased its daily output from 25 to 150 tons.
Grand Rapids, still retaining the village form of government,
is a thriving, active community, the trade center for an extensive area,
and the outfitting point for sportsmen en route to beautiful lake and wilderness
regions that surround it. The near-by Chippewa National Forest (see Chippewa
National Forest) and the Scenic State Park attract great numbers of visitors
each summer. Grand Rapids is also the supply depot for the Minnesota State
Forestry Service (US 2, one mile east) and headquarters for the district
game warden.
The Itasca County Fairground (cor. 3rd Ave. E. and 13th
St. N.), 45 acres in extent, on the shore of Crystal Lake, is one of the
most beautiful fairgrounds in Minnesota. The Village Hall (cor. Pokegama
Ave. N. and 5th St.), of brick, concrete, and steel, trimmed with terra
cotta, was erected in 1929 at a cost of $70,000. The Great Northern Station,
built the same year, is a copy of the one at Glacier National Park. Opposite
the station is a 15,000-foot load of pine, commemorative of "The Last Load."
Grand Rapids is the administration center for School District
No. 1, in area the largest organized school district in the United States.
Within boundaries 85 miles apart, are 65 graded, consolidated and high schools.
Its school bus system extends 30 miles and carries 2,000 students. The North
Central School of Agriculture (US 169, 1.5 miles northeast) operated by
the University of Minnesota on a 300 acre farm, instructs about 80 farm
boys each year.
Founded
in 1901 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Blandin Paper became UPM-Kymmene's
first North American mill in October 1997 and is one of northern
Minnesota's largest employers. Its four paper machines have an annual
capacity of about 515,000 short tons (463,500 metric tons), manufacturing
No. 3, 4 and 5 grades of paper with basis weights ranging from 30
to 60 pounds. All paper manufactured by Blandin is lightweight coated
(LWC), named for its clay-based glossy coating that makes it attractive
as a publication paper.
The
Children's Discovery Museum offers our audience a blend of permanent
and changing educational exhibits. All exhibits are open during
Museum hours: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM,
and Sunday from Noon until 5:00 PM.
Visit the logging camp where you'll
find the camp blacksmith, saw filer, clerk, cook and lumberjacks.
Then, board the moored river "wanigan," a floating cook shack used
when the logs and men headed downstream to the mills. Then take
a seat on the porch of a 1930s Minnesota Forest Service patrolman's
cabin and lookout tower and hear about the ranger's important work
protecting woodland resources.
The Itasca Heritage Museum captures
and conveys the rich story of Itasca County's past. Travel back
in time to the Ice Age by viewing our Woolly Mammoth tusk. Learn
how Native Americans lived before and after the arrival of Europeans.
Find out how the Mississippi River allowed access to land that provided
the nation with precious lumber and iron ore. Examine the relationship
between Itasca County and the paper industry. Admire the resourcefulness
and tenacity of the immigrants who came to this area for a promise
of a better life and who ultimately changed rough-and-tumble outposts
into communities. Learn about Itasca County's most famous resident,
Frances Ethel Gumm, known by all as Judy Garland.
The Judy Garland Museum® is open seven days a week
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General admission for all ages is $5 per person.
Age 1 and under free.
(Due to the special appearance of the original Ruby Slippers from
"The Wizard of Oz," Admission from June 24 through September 6,
2004, is $7.00 per person.)
The Judy Garland Museum® is open on Memorial Day,
July 4, and Labor Day. The Museum is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Since 1960,
MacRostie Art Center (formerly Itasca Art Association) has been
a respected resource for visual arts programming and exhibits, as
well as other cultural and community events. MacRostie Art Center
promotes, teaches, exhibits, and sells art. Our community: north-central
Minnesota. Our criteria: quality, diversity, originality.
Grand
Rapids, Minnesota boasts an authentic showboat that rounds the bend
of the mighty Mississippi the last three weekends in July (Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday). The Mississippi Melodie brings her captain
and cast (all volunteers) to the dock which then becomes a stage
when the colorfully costumed performers leave the boat to entertain
the crowd.
Enjoy
culture at its finest with stage performances by local and professional
touring artists, including symphony orchestras, comedians, touring
theaters, ethnic and modern dance companies. Take a stroll through
the Rief Center's art gallery which features work by local and regional
artists in conjunction with the MacRostie Art Center.
Old Central School
Downtown
Grand Rapids
(218) 326-6431
Central School originally housed all
grades, and was known for its academic rigor; students were required
to learn the Latin classics - impressive for a tiny northwoods community!
In 1908, a new high school was built, but Central School remained
in use until the 1970s. In the 1980s, a major renovation was begun.
Today, Central School houses the Heritage Museum, maintained by
the Itasca County Historical Society, as well as a number of unique
shops with a distinct and friendly local flavor.
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.
At 2,000 square miles School District
#318 is the fourth largest public school district in land area in
Minnesota. ISD #318, which covers most of Itasca County, is larger
than New Hampshire. Within its boundaries are three other public
school districts -- Deer River #317, Greenway #316 and Nashwauk-Keewatin
#319. The District's size offers unique challenges and opportunities
which have molded its tradition of excellence.
KAXE
is volunteer-based radio. That’s why KAXE sounds like northern Minnesota.
There are real folks on the air, from all walks of life, representing
a wide variety of interests. KAXE doesn’t have screaming DJs or
shock jocks or even silky-voiced public radio types. KAXE’s voices
belong to teachers, snow plow drivers, resort owners, clergy, mail
carriers, musicians, and more.
About 80%
of the locally originated music programs you hear on KAXE are produced
by volunteers. Many other volunteers offer their expertise on the
Morning Show. Volunteers also help with mailings, food, public service
announcements, engineering, newsletters, events, and pledge drives.
Volunteers serve as KAXE’s
Board
of Directors and Community Advisory Board. They are KAXE’s inspiration
and foundation.
KGPZ
Radio is a 100,000-watt FM stereo radio station, operating at a
frequency of 96.1 MHz, broadcast from a 500-foot tower located 100
feet above average terrain in Calumet, Minnesota.
With studios in Grand Rapids and business offices in Grand Rapids
and the quad cities area of Virginia-Eveleth-Mountain Iron- Gilbert,
KGPZ is an advertising medium which thoroughly covers these cities
and areas well beyond in crow wing, Koochiching, Cass, St. Louis,
Carlton, and Aitkin counties. KGPZ is northern Minnesota’s
comprehensive advertising choice.
KGPZ 24-hour-a-day "real country" music format appeals to a wide
range of listeners, but really targets the 35 and up age group with
refreshing, real, country music ....the kind of station you can
listen to all day, with all of your current favorites along will
all of the greats from the '60's, '70's, '80's, and '90's.
Founded
in 1901 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Blandin Paper became UPM-Kymmene's
first North American mill in October 1997 and is one of northern
Minnesota's largest employers. Its four paper machines have an annual
capacity of about 515,000 short tons (463,500 metric tons), manufacturing
No. 3, 4 and 5 grades of paper with basis weights ranging from 30
to 60 pounds. All paper manufactured by Blandin is lightweight coated
(LWC), named for its clay-based glossy coating that makes it attractive
as a publication paper.
The
Children's Discovery Museum offers our audience a blend of permanent
and changing educational exhibits. All exhibits are open during
Museum hours: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM,
and Sunday from Noon until 5:00 PM. 
Grand
Rapids, Minnesota boasts an authentic showboat that rounds the bend
of the mighty Mississippi the last three weekends in July (Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday). The Mississippi Melodie brings her captain
and cast (all volunteers) to the dock which then becomes a stage
when the colorfully costumed performers leave the boat to entertain
the crowd. 
Enjoy
culture at its finest with stage performances by local and professional
touring artists, including symphony orchestras, comedians, touring
theaters, ethnic and modern dance companies. Take a stroll through
the Rief Center's art gallery which features work by local and regional
artists in conjunction with the MacRostie Art Center.
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. 
KAXE
is volunteer-based radio. That’s why KAXE sounds like northern Minnesota.
There are real folks on the air, from all walks of life, representing
a wide variety of interests. KAXE doesn’t have screaming DJs or
shock jocks or even silky-voiced public radio types. KAXE’s voices
belong to teachers, snow plow drivers, resort owners, clergy, mail
carriers, musicians, and more.
