HIBBING, a large mining city of the Mesabi Range in Stuntz
Township, was named in honor of Frank Hibbing, its founder. He was born in
Germany in 1857; came to the United States with his parents when a boy;
engaged in lumbering in Duluth and also acquired large interests in the
Mesabi iron mines; discovered the Hibbing ore beds in the autumn of 1892;
died in Duluth, July 30, 1897. The post office began in 1893; the city had
stations of the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railroad and Great Northern
Railway.
There are
7,439 households out of which 27.7% have children under the
age of 18 living with them, 48.3% are
married couples living together, 9.6% have a female
householder with no husband present, and 38.2% are
non-families. 33.5% of all households are made up of
individuals and 15.5% have someone living alone who is 65
years of age or older. The average household size is 2.24
and the average family size is 2.86.
In the city the population is spread out
with 22.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 24.5%
from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who are 65
years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every
100 females there are 93.1 males. For every 100 females age
18 and over, there are 89.4 males.
The median income for a household in the
city is $33,346, and the median income for a family is
$43,558. Males have a median income of $38,064 versus
$22,183 for females. The
per capita income for the city is $18,561. 11.7% of the
population and 8.1% of families are below the
poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.3% of
those under the age of 18 and 8.2% of those 65 and older are
living below the poverty line.
In
May of 1991 the library started the Bob Dylan Collection. A number
of items have been purchases or donated by interested individuals
over the years and are included in the displays. New items continue
to be added to this collection as often as possible through both
purchase and donations.
Hibbing is recognized as the birthplace of the bus industry in the
United States. Visitors can now see and hear the story at Hibbing's
newest attraction. To start the tour, visitors pass through a tunnel
that comes alive with auto sounds of 1914 and continues on from the
Hupmobile that could not be sold. The story continues with the men
and machines that created Greyhound Bus Lines told using pictorial
displays, hundreds of artifacts and memorabilia, audio-visual
presentation plus a VCR show of "The Greyhound Story" from Hibbing
to everywhere.
The Hibbing
Historical Society Museum is located on the lower level of the
Memorial Building in Hibbing.
The
museum tells the story of Hibbing through models, audio visual,
pictorial displays, historic artifacts, and depicts the growth of
the town and the history of why it moved. Important events in
Hibbing dating back to 1870 are relived by turning the pages in the
Hibbing Almanac. A 5' by 8' model of Hibbing shows the town at the
time of its incorporation over 100 years ago. An 8' by 16' model of
1913 North Hibbing depicts the growth of the town and illustrates
why Hibbing was forced to move. Artifacts and pictures illustrate
various themes, as life in Hibbing changed through the years.
The
world’s largest open pit mine, the Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine witnessed
the development of strip mining technology. In its peak production
years during World Wars I and II, the mine supplied as much as
one-fourth of all the iron ore mined in the United States. This area
of the Mesabi Iron Range was explored in 1893-94, shortly after the
first Mesabi ore was shipped from the nearby Mountain Iron Mine in
1892. Early underground mining at Hull-Rust-Mahoning soon gave way
to strip mining, a process better suited to the soft, shallow ore
deposits of the Mesabi. As the mines grew, the many open pits
gradually merged into one and the area came to be known as the
“Man-made Grand Canyon of the North.” Mine consolidation led in 1901
to the formation of U.S. Steel, then the world’s largest
corporation. The vast size of Hull-Rust-Mahoning also spurred
development of the technologies used for open pit mining. It is here
that the steam shovel was introduced.
The
Paulucci Space Theatre is the largest planetarium in Northern
Minnesota. We offer night sky shows, planetarium multi-media
programs, and large format films. Enjoy our programs in our 40 foot
diameter domed theatre, and enjoy the activities in our "Kids'
Corner." We have informative posters and models in our lobby, as
well as a gift shop with some unique items.
The theatre is located on the Hibbing Community
College campus and is owned and operated by that institution. It is
not only for college use, though. In fact, it is open to the public
and can be enjoyed by anyone.
Hibbing Parks and Recreation provide a haven for
cross country ski enthusiasts at Carey Lake Park. Located 3 1/2
miles east of Hwy 169 on 25th Street. Five trails have varying
lengths from 2.15 miles to 3.17 miles The Black Forest Trail has a
lighted trail for evening skiing daily from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. Parks
and Recreation rent ski equipment and ski trail passes are required.
For more information call (218) 263-8851.
The
golf Course is located adjacent to Bennett Park (7th Ave & 16th
Street) and, is a 9-hole, par 34 course covering 2,657 yards. The
golf course has a practice green, watered greens and
fairways. Snacks, sandwiches, and beverages are available in the
club house along with pull cart and club rental.
Kelly Lake Park &
Swimming Beach
(218)
263-8851
Marksmanship Center
3946 Marksmanship
Center Road
Hibbing, MN 55746
(218)
969-6797
Mid-Range Sportsman Club
Alliance is the governing body fo rthe complex, from which the rifle
and pistol club, trap club, and archery club operate. The outdoor
facility provides rifle and pistorl ranges, small bore range, big
bore range with 3 electric traps, black powder shooting, archery
targets, and firearm training. Shooting sports are offered on Monday
and Thursday nights from 4:00 p.m. until dusk.
Open to
the public. Play this 18 hole, par 72 course. Golf instruction is
available from a PGA Pro. Enjoy fine dining, socialize in the
lounge, or visit the snack bar. Club and cart rentals, driving
range, and practice greens are available. Hope to see you there!
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.
This
nine-day long community celebration provides non-stop
entertainment with an art festival street, dance, parade,
mile race, flea market, and sidewalk days. Fireworks, beach
parties and mini-plane aerial demonstrations also take place
during this exciting event. The Mines and Pines Flea Market
featuring handcrafted items, original art festival and
ethnic foods as a main draw for this celebration. About
35,000 guests attend this annual event. This is no admission
to this annual event.
Construction of Hibbing
High School was started in 1920. The cost of the building was
roughly $3,900,000. Today it would cost over $50 million to replace.
The ceiling on the main floor and in the
auditorium is all hand molded, an art now obsolete. The majority of
it was done by Irish craftsmen. The auditorium, with its cut glass
chandeliers ($15,000 each in 1920) from Czechoslovakia and Barton
vaudeville organ (installed in 1923 and one of two left in the
country), was designed after the old Capitol Theater of New York,
now out of existence. The unique library contains statuary and the
historical oil painting by Howard Lake, Minnesota, native David
Workman depicting the journey iron ore makes to become steel. A $5 million physical education and band complex
addition was dedicated in 1991.
Lincoln originally began
as a junior high school in 1957, taking two years to complete the
construction. At the time it opened, Principal Donald E. Holycross
and 40 faculty welcomed 779 students in grades 7 through 9. In 1975,
the 9th grade moved to the high school. In 1999, Lincoln experienced
both physical and educational changes: a new media center and
computer lab were added to the building. Lincoln also became a
middle school that year, with grades 6 through 8 at our school. In
2003, Lincoln became an elementary school housing grades 4 through
6.
Washington Elementary
School was built in 1956. It is centrally located to the Lincoln
Elementary School (grades 4-6) and the Hibbing High School (grades
7-12). Originally a K-6 building, Washington School became a K-5
building starting in the 1999-2000 school year. Beginning 2003-2004
school year, Washington School became a K-3 building. The projected
enrollment for the 2004-2005 school year is 350 students.
Greenhaven Elementary
School is located 323 East 37th Street. It is a one story, handicap
accessible school that serves students in grades Early-Fives through
Grade Three. The setting of the school is quite picturesque with
large hardwood and evergreen trees. The large playground and ice
skating rink are maintained through a partnership with the Hibbing
Recreation Department. Greenhaven Elementary School construction
started in 1954 and was finished in 1955. Our building was designed
to house three sections of each grade from Kindergarten through
sixth grade. We have had some changes in our building since then. We
have gone to an E5-5 building a few years ago and this year the
Greenhaven will house grades E5-3 with grades 4-6 being held at the
Lincoln Elementary school. The library is now the computer lab. In
the spring of 2001, we also changed our mascot from the gopher to
the greyhound, in part to reflect the heritage of the famous bus
line that started in our town.
In
May of 1991 the library started the Bob Dylan Collection. A number
of items have been purchases or donated by interested individuals
over the years and are included in the displays. New items continue
to be added to this collection as often as possible through both
purchase and donations.
The Hibbing
Historical Society Museum is located on the lower level of the
Memorial Building in Hibbing.
Located
1/8 mi E on 23rd St off Hwy 169 at St Louis County Fairgrounds.
Open: May 15 2005 to Sep 5 2005. Dirt track auto racing.
The
Paulucci Space Theatre is the largest planetarium in Northern
Minnesota. We offer night sky shows, planetarium multi-media
programs, and large format films. Enjoy our programs in our 40 foot
diameter domed theatre, and enjoy the activities in our "Kids'
Corner." We have informative posters and models in our lobby, as
well as a gift shop with some unique items.
The
golf Course is located adjacent to Bennett Park (7th Ave & 16th
Street) and, is a 9-hole, par 34 course covering 2,657 yards. The
golf course has a practice green, watered greens and
fairways. Snacks, sandwiches, and beverages are available in the
club house along with pull cart and club rental.
Open to
the public. Play this 18 hole, par 72 course. Golf instruction is
available from a PGA Pro. Enjoy fine dining, socialize in the
lounge, or visit the snack bar. Club and cart rentals, driving
range, and practice greens are available. Hope to see you there!
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.
