Location:
Tower is located 24 miles north of Virginia. Here, visitors and residents
alike can experience some of the most captivating scenery in Northeastern
Minnesota; the vivid color extravaganza accompanying each season, the
natural beauty of Lake Vermilion, the breathtaking sunsets...
Tower, a city in section 32 of Breitung Township (T. 62N,
R. 15W), first platted as a townsite in 1882, with a post office from 1883,
reached by the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad in 1884, and incorporated as a
city March 13, 1889, was named in honor of Charlemagne Tower, Sr., of
Philadelphia, Pa. He was born in Paris, N.Y., April 18, 1809; was graduated
at Harvard College, 1830; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1836;
practiced law in Pennsylvania 25 years; was captain in the Sixth
Pennsylvania Regiment in the Civil War; was connected with the Minnesota
Iron Company and the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad company, and was thus
instrumental in opening in 1884 the great iron industry of Minnesota.
Tower (1,367 alt., 820 pop.), guarded by
Jasper Peak and Lake Vermilion, and in the shadow of the historic Soudan
Mine (State 1, 1.5 miles east), to which it owes its existence, is the
Arrowhead's oldest incorporated municipality north of Duluth.
Over inland waterways, in the early days of
the Northwest, paddled adventurous fur traders, one of their well-traveled
routes being through Lake Vermilion.
During 1865-66, rumors of gold were rampant,
and so many prospectors rushed into the district, accessible only by
complicated and difficult water and land routes, that the Vermilion Trail
(see Duluth Tour 1) was cut from Duluth to the site of Tower.
Among the gold prospectors was George R.
Stuntz of Duluth. When he found outcroppings of iron ore at the site of the
present Soudan Mine, he was not surprised, because he knew of the existence
of iron ore in the region and had seen samples of it. Stuntz surveyed a town
site at the wilderness end of the Vermilion Trail in 1882, after a sawmill
and a planing mill had been set up to saw the pine logs floated down the
East Two River. Stuntz's town site was selected for a business section to
serve the location (Soudan) where the Minnesota Iron Mining Company already
had put up homes. In 1883, it was organized as a village and named in honor
of the Philadelphia financier, Charlemagne Tower.
The early settlers suffered many hardships.
Transportation facilities were poor—it took two nights and three days to
travel by wagon over the Vermilion Trail from Duluth. The weekly mail
service was, of course, uncertain. (The mining company's payroll was sent
nailed in a wooden box.) During a severe cold spell, the clerk at the store
is said to have requisitioned a six-foot thermometer guaranteed not to
freeze at 40 below zero.
In 1884, the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad,
running between Two Harbors and Soudan, was extended to Tower. Lumbering
then became a thriving industry. The population of the village was
increasing, and Tower was incorporated as a city in 1889.
Tower is on the south shore of Lake
Vermilion, one of the largest and most popular summer resort lakes in the
region, and one to which fishermen from all parts of the United States are
attracted. Wall-eyed and northern pike, perch, and rock bass are plentiful.
Lake Vermilion, 35 miles long, with 365 islands, has a 1,000-mile shoreline
backed by coniferous trees and lofty hills of granite. It was called
Sah-Ga-Ee-Gum-Wah-MaMah-Nee, "lake-of-the-sunset-glow," by the Chippewa.
Swimming, boating, fishing, and canoeing facilities are available at
numerous resorts.
The remnant of a large band of Chippewa still
lives on the shores of Pike Bay (Co. Rd. 413, 10.5 miles northeast). Their
handiwork is exhibited in the stores at Tower. A few years ago the
Government (see Cass Lake) transferred the majority of the Lake Vermilion
band to the Bois Fort Reservation on Nett Lake (see Arrowhead Tour 3), but
many preferred to stay where they were.
The McKinley Monument (cor. Main and Alder
Sts.) was erected shortly after the assassination of the President in 1901,
and Tower gained distinction as the first city in the United States to
unveil a memorial in his honor.
Agriculture is being developed in the
surrounding area, while lumbering, though a declining industry, is still of
some importance.
There are
233 households out of which 20.2% have children under the
age of 18 living with them, 48.9% are
married couples living together, 6.0% have a female
householder with no husband present, and 41.2% are
non-families. 37.8% of all households are made up of
individuals and 22.3% have someone living alone who is 65
years of age or older. The average household size is 2.06
and the average family size is 2.69.
In the city the population is spread out
with 18.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 24.0%
from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who are 65
years of age or older. The median age is 45 years. For every
100 females there are 93.9 males. For every 100 females age
18 and over, there are 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the
city is $26,429, and the median income for a family is
$37,500. Males have a median income of $35,000 versus
$21,875 for females. The
per capita income for the city is $17,169. 10.7% of the
population and 3.7% of families are below the
poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.5% of
those under the age of 18 and 10.9% of those 65 and older
are living below the poverty line.
Where the future meets
the past. Visit Atisokanigamig “Legend House” and experience the
culture and proud Heritage of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe. Where
traditions have been kept alive for more than 500 years. Proudly
Owned & Operated by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa.
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.
Pike Bay Lodge was
originally built in the early 1900s by mining and banking
industrialist A.B. Coates as his summer home. Pike Bay Lodge is set
on 45 beautiful acres of white pine, birch, and maples. It has 1000
feet of shoreline on Lake Vermilion. You will want to see the rock
gardens, greenhouse, boat house (one-of-a-kind) and trek through the
woods.
We have 7 full housekeeping cabins, 4 new in 2006 with 11 total
rental units. Pontoon and fishing boat rental is available.
Ace Guide Service is operated by Terry Sjoberg. He
believes not only in helping you catch fish, but showing you how to
catch a particular species and where the fish are located in the
lake based on the time of year. He is also believes in having a good
time on the water, allowing you to enjoy the magnificent gifts Lake
Vermilion has to offer. Located
on Pike Bay, Ace Guide Service offers easy access from Tower, or
Cook, MN. If you are staying at a resort located on the lake your
guide can pick you up at your resort.
Culbert
Realty, Inc. has been in the real estate and appraisal business for
40 years. It is independently owned and operated by W. William &
Christine Culbert. We service a large portion of the Iron Range
area, including Lake Vermilion and other lakeshore properties in
Northeastern Minnesota. We are local experts who know conventional
and vacation real estate in the area. Culbert Realty is a member of
the National, Minnesota and Range Associations of Realtors.
Eagle
Docks specializes in manufacturing and installing one of the most
durable and practical docks on the market today. Our styles and
designs have delivered more than 20 years of proven, carefree
service. We guarantee! Price and compare!
Public Beach
& Picnic Area, 2 Public Accesses, Showers, 85 Sites w/Full Hookups,
Game Room, Boating, Water Skiing Open May 1 to October 1. Airport &
Seaplane Base, 3400 Foot Paved Runway, Level & Lighted
Interstate 1 Realty
Lake Vermilion
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-2222
Iron Country Electric Inc
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-4227
Iron Ore Bar
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-4683
J & P Auto Service
208 Cedar Street
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-2528
Jeanne's Cards & Gifts
515 Main Street
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-2601
Kitchen & Brass
502 Main Street
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-6001
Lake Vermilion Chamber of Commerce
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-2301
Lakeland Cleaning Service
PO Box 792
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-5200
Lamppa Manufacturing Inc
512 3rd Street S
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-2330
Langevin Auto & Truck Repair
9047 Wiseman Road
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
749-4649
Ledge Liquor Store
6368 Highway 169
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-4043
Ledge Short Stop
6368 Highway 169
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-3868
Marjo Motel
712 Highway 169
Tower, MN 55790
(218)
753-4851
Modern 8 unit motel in
wooded setting. Access to Lake Vermilion with free docking & boat
launching available. Air conditioning, cable TV, free HBO; two miles
from Soudan Underground Mine, 10 miles from Fortune Bay Casino, 1/4
mile from Taconite Trail.
Pier
77 Mini-Golf, Gifts & Creamery on beautiful Lake Vermilion in
Minnesota.One of the
best and most photographed mini-golf courses in the country is
hidden among the Birch and Pines on Lake Vermilion.
Challenging doesn't begin to describe this incredible
19 hole course which meanders through an acre of woods andwild
flowers. A unique and friendly Gift Gallery with diverse selections
of decorative accessories for your home, cabin or gifts to friends
and relatives.
Collections include Ducks Unlimited home furnishings, Lodge,
Nautical, and Lamps, Weathervanes, Deck and Garden items plus much
more. With more than 100 different manufacturers represented, there
is something for all interests, ages, and price ranges.
Van Air invites you to share our unique and exciting
perspective of the Border Lake Country. Be it a tour from one of
many local resorts or your dock, a sunset moose tour or a special
dinner via floatplane, let Van Air give you an experience long
remembered. Your hosts and pilots, Bud and Irene Van Deusen, have
thousands of hours flying this rich and wonderful country and wish
to share with you their insight to all aspects of this land. So just
sit back, relax and enjoy viewing all the beauty of Van Air Country!
Using high wing Cessnas with unrestricted views, we assure everyone
a window seat. Every passenger is also provided a headset and life
jacket to enhance the enjoyment and safety of your voyage.
The professionals at Vermilion Land Office will
give you personal service and attention for all your real estate
needs including Certified Appraisal Services and Free Market
Analyses. Our experience and vast knowledge of the area spans over
30 years of specializing in unique lakeshore, island and wilderness
properties of Northeastern Minnesota.
Ely
may be the Canoe Capitol of the World but it also has the
world's finest sausages! Zup's was founded on family tradition,
the spirit still lives within the organization.
The friendly greetings, the welcoming smiles and
always an extended hand of help. Zup's popularity is well known
and quite apparent; just take a look at
the Guest book and see for
yourself!
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.
Culbert
Realty, Inc. has been in the real estate and appraisal business for
40 years. It is independently owned and operated by W. William &
Christine Culbert. We service a large portion of the Iron Range
area, including Lake Vermilion and other lakeshore properties in
Northeastern Minnesota. We are local experts who know conventional
and vacation real estate in the area. Culbert Realty is a member of
the National, Minnesota and Range Associations of Realtors. 
Eagle
Docks specializes in manufacturing and installing one of the most
durable and practical docks on the market today. Our styles and
designs have delivered more than 20 years of proven, carefree
service. We guarantee! Price and compare! 
Tower, MN 55790 
Pier
77 Mini-Golf, Gifts & Creamery on beautiful Lake Vermilion in
Minnesota.One of the
best and most photographed mini-golf courses in the country is
hidden among the Birch and Pines on Lake Vermilion.
Challenging doesn't begin to describe this incredible
Ely
may be the Canoe Capitol of the World but it also has the
world's finest sausages! Zup's was founded on family tradition,
the spirit still lives within the organization.
