SILVER BAY AREA
History
Events of the 1920's accelerated the interest in and migration to
the Silver Bay/Beaver Bay area. The opening of the new international
highway in 1924 created the beginnings of a tourist industry
and the construction of a taconite pilot plant in Babbitt
would lead to the formation of Reserve Mining Co. Silver
Bay owes its existence to E.W. Davis, mining engineer, who
spent 30 years developing a process that would extract the
iron from the lower grades of iron ore called taconite.
In the 1940's, Armco Steel and Republic Steel committed
to building a taconite processing plant in Silver Bay capable
of eventually producing 10,000,000 tons of pellets per year
and two cities to house the workers at Babbitt and Silver
Bay. Almost overnight the population of the Bay Area exploded
from 100 to nearly 4,000 with the establishment of Silver
Bay in 1956. A 7 foot iron statue, Rocky Taconite came to
symbolize Reserve Mining and Silver Bay as the Taconite
Capitol of the World. A controversial environmental trial
throughout the 1970's and the bankruptcy of Reserve in 1986
caused a 40% drop in population but there was a rebirth
in 1988 when Cyprus Minerals of Denver bought Reserve and
reopened the plant.
Cyprus-Northshore Mining was then bought by Cleveland Cliffs
in 1994 and is known as Northshore Mining Co. providing
employment for area residents.
The hundreds of commercial fishermen who dotted the shore
have been replaced by thousands who now fish for sport,
many from the Silver Bay Marina. In 2003, Northshore Mining
successfully produced an iron nugget which may provide a
new product for its taconite pellets. Tourism continues
to grow as evidenced by the construction of new facilities
like Cove Point, Wind Song and the AmericInn.
Community
City of Silver Bay
City Hall - 7 Davis Drive
Silver Bay, MN 55614
Phone - 218-226-4408
Fax - 218-226-4068
www.silverbay.com
- sbay@silverbay.com
Form of Government
Mayor - Robert Kind. . . . . . . .218-226-4408
City Council Members:
- Rob Otterblad
- Pat Kelley
- Jim Kelly 218-226-4408
- Dave Gustafson 218-226-4408
City Administrator - Tom Smith 218-226-4408
Police Department - Chief Wayne Billings
218-226-4486
Street Department - Supt. Douglas Perfetto
218-226-4552
Water/Sewer Department - Supt. Jim Duresky.
218-226-3663
Library - Librarian Julie Billings
Parks & Rec. Department - Director
Mike Guzzo 218-226-4214
Municipal Liquor Store - Manager Tom Byrnes
218-226-3106
Silver Bay Golf Course - Supt. Norma O'Leary
218-226-3111
Education
The newly remodeled and expanded William Kelley High School.
As we enter the 2004 calendar year, your school district
is in the process of completing the expansion and remodeling
of William Kelley High School. This $6.2 million dollar
project will enable all the students, K-12 to be educated
under one roof, beginning with the
2004-2005 school year.
As we approach the end of the current school year, we will
be gearing up for the move from the Mary MacDonald Elementary
to the High School.
This will take a significant amount of person power, trucks
and trailers from the Silver Bay area. We truly hope we
can count on cooperation from the residents of Silver Bay,
Beaver Bay, Finland and surrounding area to step forward
to help us complete this gigantic task during the months
of May & June 2004. Please call the offices of Mary
MacDonald or William Kelley High School if you are able
to help in any way.
Lastly, we will schedule an "Open House" at William
Kelley to be held later this spring, so that all the residents
can come out and view first hand, all the work that has
been done at this building. It truly is a school that everyone
can be justly proud to say "This is our new school".
With kindest regards,
Sheldon D. Johnson, Superintendent
Lake Superior School District No. 381
www.isd381.k12.mn.us
William Kelley High School
137 Banks Blvd., Silver Bay, MN 55614
Main Number 218-226-4437
Fax 218-226-3127
Principal George Starkovich - Ext. 8101
Mary MacDonald School
99 Edison Blvd., Silver Bay, MN 55614
Main Number 218-226-4455
Fax 218-226-4860
Community Education
Main Number (ext. 8137) 218-226-4437
Bus Garage
Direct Number 218-226-3308
Note: Dial Direct - not in school phone system
Lodging
AmericInn
218-226-4300
Just off of Hwy 61 with suites, Jacuzzi, meeting facilities,
party room, two pools with huge water slide, great breakfast
selections, common area with fireplace and easy access to
local shopping, trails and parks.
www.americinn.com
Whispering Pines Motel
218-226-4712
Just off of Hwy 61, clean, warm, comfortable accommodations,
picnic area with campfire pit, plus easy access to
trails and parks.
www.whisperingpinemotel.com
Dining
Northwood's Café
218-226-3699
Great homecooking with daily lunch specials. The menu ranges
from breakfast to dinner. Lots of comfortable seating
with carryout available. Open 6am everyday.
Shopping
Silver Bay Spur Gifts
218-226-7220 Consignment items, gifts, scenic pictures,
and a variety of area cards.
Wolf Works Embroidery
218-226-3995
Inspired and crafted on the North Shore.
lampton@lakenet.com
Services
Bayside Printing & Northshore Journal
218-226-3335
Full service printing with Journal advertising available.
bayside1@lakenet.com
Blazer's Auto Repair
218-226-4447
Full auto repair plus wrecker service.
blaze@lakenet.com
Carol Krynski
Insurance Service
218-226-4261
Full service insurance agent.
rbsinc@lakenet.com
John's Sanitary Removal
218-226-3418
Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Dumpster Service,
plus roll offs for demolition.
johnkf2001@yahoo.com
Keith Photography on the North Shore
218-226-4436
Innovative weddings, family and graduate portraits on the
North Shore.
www.keithpho.com
North Shore Oil & Propane
800-772-6762
Fuel Oil, Propane, Furnace Service, Plumbing, and Lube Sales.
nsop@lakenet.com
Silver Bay Spur
218-226-3333
Food Fuel & Convenience Store.
The Lake Bank
218-226-4959
Full service banking plus insurance needs.
www.thelakebank.com
Thrivent Financial For Lutherans
800-777-4533
Insurance & Investments from Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans where values thrive (TM).
gary.zinter@thrivent.com
Wells Fargo Bank MN N.A.
218-226-4451
Full service banking and financial planning.
www.wellsfargo.com
Things to Do
Lake Superior Marina
Seasonal & Transient - usual marina
amenities
Parks
Four State Parks within a few minutes drive
Trails
Hiking, biking, snowmobiling, ATV, and Kayaking.
Golf
Beautiful nine hole course, well maintained, with spectacular
view and the challenge of crossing the Beaver River. Food,
pro shop and carts available.
Bowling
Eight well maintained lanes with all the services
Shopping
The Silver Bay Shopping Mall offers retail to services in
a home town atmosphere, ample parking with easy access to
all businesses.
Events
The summer brings softball tournaments, fishing contests,
golf tournaments, and holiday celebrations. During
winter time the community sponsors many youth hockey events.
Call 218-226-4214 for event details
BEAVER BAY AREA
History
The history of Beaver Bay and Silver Bay (Bay Area) are
tied together although their beginnings occurred 100 years
apart. With the signing of the LaPointe treaty of 1854,
opening of the Sault Locks in 1855 and the arrival of the
Steamer Illinois in 1856, Beaver Bay would become the first
established community on the Minnesota shore of Lake Superior.
Beaver Bay survived the "financial panic" sweeping
the country that caused other north shore communities to
become abandoned in 1857. Among the mainly German - Swiss
residents were the five Wieland brothers who stayed and
became pillars of support for the community. Through the
enterprising of the Wielands, a tannery, sawmill and grist
mill were built providing a living for residents for 30
years. Beaver Bay's most recognized resident was John Beargrease,
mail carrier who delivered mail for 20 years along the shore.
During the 1860's and 70's, the interest in mineral exploration
in northeast Minnesota prompted a group of Michigan businessmen
to send Peter Mitchell to Beaver Bay where he was guided
to the Babbitt area by Christian Wieland to search for gold,
copper and silver. This exploration led to the discovery
of iron ore which set in motion the events which would eventually
lead to the establishment of Silver Bay.
By the mid 1880's, the last of the Wielands had moved from
Beaver Bay and the county seat had been moved to Two Harbors.
For the next 40 years, the Bay Area would remain a quiet
community of small farmers, commercial fishermen, trappers
and loggers.
The natural resources and features that brought pioneers
to the Beaver Bay area 150 years ago are still here. Logging,
fishing, mining and tourism are still very important. The
large-scale logging operations of Alger-Smith have been
replaced by small independent loggers.
Community
City of Beaver Bay
(Tel) 218-226-3251 (Fax) 218-226-0103
711 MacDonald Ave.
P.O. Box 446
Beaver Bay, MN 55601
Mayor- Mark Russell III
Council Members
- Leo Lahti
- Josh Tuorila
- Brian Halvorson
- Chuck Long
Public Works - Alan Larson 218-226-3710
Municipal Liquor Store - Tonja Fultz 218-226-9963
City Clerk/Treasurer - Heather Harkness
218-226-3251
Lodging
Cove Point Lodge
800-598-3221
This Romantic Scandinavian Lodge offers many places to relax
and enjoy the Lake. Inside, enjoy the Lakeside Pool, Jacuzzi and
Sauna. All rooms and cottages view Lake Superior. Easy trail
and park access.
www.covepointlodge.com
Inn at Beaver Bay
218-226-4351
Standard and large rooms for groups plus a fully furnished
apartment. Easy trail access
Northland Trails Guest House
218-226-4199
A fully furnished, three level log home available for nightly
rental. Perfect for family gatherings or a private retreat.
Spectacular lake views.
www.northlandtrails.com
Dining/Lounges
Cove Point Lakeside Dining Room
Enjoy a fabulous dinner overlooking the lake then cozy
up to a warm fire in the Great Hall.
Green Door
(Mobile) 218-220-7931
(Fax) 218-22-0103
On & Off Sale, Live Music, Pizza, Pulltabs, ATM, Mon
- Thurs 11AM-11PM - Fri & Sat 9AM-1AM *(Summer Season,
Open Sundays)
Lemon Wolf Café
218-226-PACK(7225)
A unique dining experience, in our Northwood's dining room,
candlelight dinners, fresh Lake Superior fish, fresh bread,
local ales and wine. Fresh roasted espresso and specialty
homemade pies. (Open Year Round)
Shopping
Beaver Bay Agate Shop
1003 Main Street
P.O. Box 395
Beaver Bay MN 55601
beaverbayagate@lakenet.com
www.beaverbayagate.com
218-226-4847
Lake Superior Agates, Thomsonite, Fossels, lapidary equipment
& supplies, plus jewelry.
Beaver Bay Sport Shop
218-226-4666
Outdoor equipment, clothing and accessories, plus ATVs &
Snowmobiles sales/service/rentals.
www.beaverbaysports.com
Christmas Up North
218-226-3517
Collectables, gifts for every season and offering DEPT 56.
ymens@lakenet.com
Quilters Corner
218-226-6406
Specializing in outdoor nature & wildlife fabrics, patterns
& books.
www.quiltcorner.com
The Cedar Chest
218-226-3517
Great Minnesota Gifts, Books, T-shirts, and moccasins.
www.cedarchestgifts.com
Services
Beaver Bay Mobil Mart
218-226-3550
Food, Fuel & Convenience Store.
Holiday Station Store
218-226-3227
Food, Fuel & Convenience Store
Tone N Tan
218-226-3392
Make lifestyle changes that include our adjustable resistance
hydraulic circuit training machines. shellbell747@yahoo.com
Things To Do
Beaver Bay Sports
218-226-4666
Rental ATV's and Snowmobile's - enjoy the local easy
access trails.
Grampa Woo Excursions
218-226-4100
You've seen the North Shore from land now see it from the
lake. Daily excursions and dinner trips.
www.grampawoo.com
Shopping Mall
Discover the many gifts available that will
bring back memories of the North Shore experience.
Trails This area offers many trails, including biking,
hiking, ATV, Snowmobiling, and even kayaking.
FINLAND / NORTH SHORE AREA
History
Finland, Minnesota is nestled in the Baptism River Valley,
surrounded by rugged hills and cliffs, called the Sawtooth
Mountains. Its rugged isolation made it one of the
last areas of Minnesota to be settled. It wasn't until
the late 1890's that the first Finns and other Scandinavians
began to file for homesteads in this remote section of Lake
County. These first settlers, who found the area strongly
reminiscent of their rugged homelands, endured great hardships
in order to claim their land. All supplies came by
ship and were carried on the backs of the settlers to their
homesteads. The first homes were one room log cabins,
which housed the family and provided shelter for anyone
else that had need of a place to stay. Mail came by
sailboat or steamship in summer and by dogsled in winter.
In 1907, the Alger Smith Company built a railroad to the
community in order to facilitate its logging operations
there. Logging was a major industry, producing great
quantities of white pine, cedar, balsam and spruce.
After that, progress came quickly. Roads were built,
mail came by an open coach, a Co-op was organized in 1913,
Greyhound bus lines began service in 1920, electricity came
in 1939. By 1935 there were 179 Finnish families with
about 500 acres of cleared land. The farms produced
grains, vegetables, berries, apples, cows and pigs, but
cream was the only product shipped out.
Today
There are no farms in modern Finland. The primary
means of livelihood are timber, taconite, and tourism. Visit
the FINLAND MINNESOTA HERITAGE SITE " A Walk Back In
Time" at 5653 Little Marais Road located
3 miles inland from Hwy 61 or Hwy 1. P.O. Box 583,
Finland, MN. 55603 - Open Daily June - September
218-353-7380
Dining
Our Place
Full menu, serving breakfast, lunch & dinner. Open 7
days a week with a friendly clean atmosphere and great food.
Easy access to snowmobile and ATV trails."Our Place"
Lodging
AmericInn Tofte
218-663-7899 (Toll Free) 800-625-7042
Hwy 61
Tofte, MN
www.americinn.com
Betty's Cabins
218-353-7362
Located on the beautiful Baptism River among the pines.
Open June 1 - Oct 10
www.lakesuperiorcabins.com
Tettegouche State Park Cabins
218-226-6365
Whispering Pines Motel
218-226-4712
Just off of Hwy 61, clean, warm, comfortable accommodations,
picnic area with fire pit. Easy trail access.
Services
Finland Auto & Marine Repair
218-353-7791
Full service auto, marine, ATV, snowmobile, and small engine
repair. Wrecker service available soon!!
Finland Mobil
218-226-3211
Fuel (24 Hours - Everyday) "SPEEDPASS"
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
800-523-2733
Wolf Ridge is an accredited residential environmental school
for people of all ages. Located on 2000 acres above Lake
Superior in northern Minnesota we offer outdoor learning
experience focusing on ecology, science, human culture,
team building and personal growth.
Things To Do
Moose Country Adventures
218-365-4012
www.moosecountryadventures.com
Parks
4 State Parks within a few minutes drive. Tettegouche is
the largest state park on the North Shore with over 9,300
acres. It features hiking, skiing and snowmobile trails,
two campgrounds, along with both remote hike-in and modern
drive-in rental cabins offer overnight options. Six inland
lakes and 2-1/2 miles of Lake Superior shoreline, and four
waterfalls make it a nature lovers paradise. George H. Crosby
- Manitou State Park offers remote backpack camping and
fantastic hiking and fishing opportunities along the Manitou
River. Benson Lake offers a beautiful one mile boardwalk
trail.
Trails
The area abounds with Snow-mobile, ATV, hiking,
and biking trails.
Camping
Camping available in the area including State
Park facilities
Hunting / Fishing & Site Seeing
Lots of wildlife from grouse to deer, bear and moose. Many
streams and inland lakes filled with fish, bring your camera.
Events
The big March event 'St Urho's Festival & Parade'
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