Location:
Nashwauk is located between two of northeastern Minnesota's largest cities,
Hibbing and Grand Rapids. While Nashwauk has an official population of 1026,
over 88,000 people live within thirty miles of the community and a major
four-lane highway, U.S. Highway 169, helps to make Nashwauk an easily accessible
location for employees of manufacturing and service-related businesses.
Nashwauk was the first mining town in Itasca
County. In 1902, the Mississippi Land Company deeded forty acres, the present
site of the original plat of Nashwauk, to the Nashwauk Realty Company. In
1903 the existence of Nashwauk became legal.
The incorporation of the village set off
a building boom. Board sidewalks appeared, and tents that had been used
for temporary dwelling were vacated as miner's houses were completed. Families
continued to arrive; no other town on the iron ranges grew as Nashwauk did.
Its population swelled from 220 in 1902 to 2,080 in 1920.
In 1908-09 the Great Northern Railroad was
extended from Nashwauk to connect with Grand Rapids. In 1901 stripping had
begun on an extensive scale at the Hawkins Mine, the village's chief source
of income until its closing in 1962.
The Hawkins open pit can be viewed from an
observation stand located at the western end of Nashwauk's main street.
Nashwauk is located in the heart of excellent
fishing country, with numerous lakes surrounding the village for swimming
and boating.
The community's future, like that of its
neighbor, Keewatin, has brightened considerably with the construction of
taconite mining and processing facilities within ten to fifteen miles of
the village.
Downtown Nashwauk in the 1930's or 1940's
.
MINES AND ORE WASHING PLANTS
Nashwauk (1,500 alt., 2,228 pop.) is the largest mining
community and second largest town in Itasca County.
Pine forests first attracted men to the western Mesabi
Range. The region had no streams or rivers down which to float logs, so
in 1890 the Wright-Davis Lumber Company laid tracks from the present
site of Jacobson, where the Swan River flows into the Mississippi, to
the heart of their timber land, near what is now Hibbing. James J. Hill
of the Great Northern bought out their interests in 1899 and
incorporated the road into his system.
In 1900, the Itasca Mining Company explored property that
later was developed into the Hawkins Mine (west end Central Ave.). When
iron ore was discovered, the deposit was leased to the Deering Harvester
Company, and the mine was opened in 1902.
The Nashwauk Townsite Company platted the village on what
was once the site of a lumber camp. Its name, from Nashwaak, a river and
village near Fredericton, New Brunswick, is of Algonquian origin,
probably meaning "land between," as does Nashau, the name of a city and
river in New Hampshire.
In 1908-09, the Great Northern was extended from Nashwauk
to connect with its main line at Grand Rapids, and tiny Nashwauk's
growth really began. Mining operations expanded. In 1901, stripping had
begun on an extensive scale at the Hawkins Mine; by the end of 1936,
12,164,000 tons of ore had been shipped from this open pit, the
village's chief source of income. In connection with the mine is a
washing and jigging plant (Washing Plant Rd., two miles south), in which
the ore is separated on sieves or screens after impurities have been
carried off by a water process. The La Rue Mine (La Rue Mine Rd., 1.5
miles east), opened at approximately the same time as the Hawkins, is
operated by both open-pit and underground methods, as was the Headley
(abandoned), formerly known as the Crosby, opened in 1903. The La Rue
has a washing plant. Five other open-pit mines in the vicinity are
active; two operate washing plants.
Nashwauk, with all this wealth at her door, has made
steady progress. Among its public buildings are the Village Hall (cor.
Central Ave. and 3rd St.), built of gray brick in 1916; the Nashwauk
High School (2nd St. bet. Platt and Roberts Aves.), constructed in 1922
of red brick, and the Soldiers Memorial Building (Central and 3rd St.),
of red brick, built in 1928.
People who never saw the mines in their glory during
full operation are amazed when they look out over the Hawkins Mine.
As the sign says, the Hawkins Mine was the first mine in Itasca
County, shipping out 25-million tons of iron ore between 1902 and
1962. Bring your camera for shots like these.
The Taconite State Trail stretches 165 miles from
Grand Rapids to Ely and intersects with the Arrowhead State Trail
just west of Lake Vermillion. The first 6 miles from Grand Rapids
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
Nashwauk Area Wayside Rest and Park
Picnic Area and Pavilion
Water, Electric and Sewer Hook-up for RV's
Dumping Station
Fairivew Mesaba Clinic-Nashwauk offers
a team of dedicated physicians focused on improving the health of
our communities. Mesaba Clinics care enough to listen to our communities
and that is why we have been expanding our quality health care services
to people across the entire Iron Range and Northeast Minnesota.
You can count on quality health care, convenient accessibility and
less waiting, right in your own backyard.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees council, headquarters in Nashwauk. Represents 9500 Minnesota
employees of school districts, cities, counties, and health organizations
outside of the Twin Cities and Duluth.
Forget-Me Not Foundation is located 6.5 miles north
of Nashwauk, MN on the Minnesota Iron Range. We provide horseback
riding for people with disabilities.
As a professional
Massage Therapist, Personal Trainer and Aromatherapist, it is my
goal to assist you in reaching your goals for fitness and wellness.
Using my education and experience I hope to help you achieve a "zest
for living" attitude!
Here at MAGNUM POWER SPORTS, we are
locally owned and operated and provide products to make your outdoor
living easier and more enjoyable. We offer experience, fair prices,
and a friendly atmosphere. We're big enough to cover the broad range
of equipment needs you may have, yet small enough to greet you on
a first-name basis. Our goal at MAGNUM POWER SPORTS is to provide
quality products and service at an affordable price. Call or stop
in today and see what we can do for you; you'll be glad you did!
We
are dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of individuals
with natural chiropractic care. Dr. Debra Ward D.C., B.S., LPN,
specializes in painless adjustments along with muscle therapy to
reduce pain and inflammation. Conditions treated include auto, work
and sports injuries as well as low back pain, neck pain, headaches
and joint pain.
A professional DJ Service for all Occasions whether
you are planning your Wedding, School Dance, Corporate Party, Anniversary
Party, Birthday Party or Special Event of Any Type. Serving Minnesota
Wisconsin and North Dakota.
We
offer an enjoyable family dining experience. We have a banquet
room for up to 50 people. Wednesday & Friday we have fish
fry. Sunday we have a breakfast buffet. Holidays we offer our salad
bar & buffet
Weekly
newspaper published every Thursday with a circulation of 1711.
We
are dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of individuals
with natural chiropractic care. Dr. Debra Ward D.C., B.S., LPN,
specializes in painless adjustments along with muscle therapy to
reduce pain and inflammation. Conditions treated include auto, work
and sports injuries as well as low back pain, neck pain, headaches
and joint pain. 
We
offer an enjoyable family dining experience. We have a banquet
room for up to 50 people. Wednesday & Friday we have fish
fry. Sunday we have a breakfast buffet. Holidays we offer our salad
bar & buffet
