Historical Markers in
St. Louis County, Minnesota

170 & 240 Ton Production Trucks 1910 Baldwin Locomotive A Three-Way Continental Divide Albert Woolson Alma Norha Playhouse Apostolic Lutheran Church Birthplace of Greyhound Lines Boat House and Pier Business District Canal Capstan Carnegie Library Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Clifton–French River Congdon McIntyre Building Daniel De Gresolon, Sieur Du Lhut Dedicated to Davis Helberg Determined Mariner Donald Kozlik Memorial Duluth Japanese Peace Bell Garden Duluth Union Depot Duluth-Superior Harbor Early Finnish Pioneers Edgar A. Culbertson Edmund J. Longyear Embarrass Co-op Enger Observation Tower Engine 225 Finnish Workers Hall First Diamond Drill Hole in the State of Minnesota Float Copper Fond du Lac Fond du Lac – Minnesota Frank Hibbing Geology of Duluth Harbor George R. Stuntz Glensheen, A Family Legacy Gonyea, Verville and National Guardsmen Memorial Gunnar Peterson Hanka Homestead Haulpak Production Truck Tires Hibbing City Hall Hill of Three Waters or the Triple Divide Hull-Rust Mahoning Mine Pit Overlook Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine Illumination History of the Aerial Lift Bridge In Abiding Love Japanese Peace Bell Garden Jay Cooke John Mariucci Leif Erikson Leonidas Merritt Lewis G. Castle Longyear Drill Site Marion 1150 Dragline Bucket McDougall Patent Anchor Mining Haul Truck Engine Module Minnesota's Oldest Concrete Pavement Minnesota’s Seaport / Welcome to Minnesota Modern Ship Anchor Modern Ship Propeller Mountain Iron Moving the Town Nelimark Sauna Northwoods Sailors Ohara Peace Bell Old Fire Hall Oliver Club Oliver Mining Co. Headquarters / Oliver Shop Laboratory Oneota Oscar Hokka Log House P & H 2300 Production Shovel Bucket Paul Wellstone Memorial and Historic Site Pioneer Mine Pioneer Mine A Shaft Priley Fountain / Duluth Civic Center Rice's Point Rotary Club of Duluth 100th Anniversary Schools Simm Sue Building Sunrise Memorial Park War Memorial The Emergence of Man Through Steel The Fires of Autumn 1918 The Gate The History of the Duluth Rose Garden The Laurentian Divide The Old Vermilion Trail and Winston City The Skyline Parkway The Soudan Mine The “Hup” This is Magnetic Taconite This Piece of Rock Tower Train Museum Train Depot / Street Car Bridge Trotman Folding Stock Anchor Underground Mining in the Hibbing Area United States Merchant Marine / U.S. Navy Armed Guard Voyageurs Forest Welcome to DM&IR Engine # 1218
Minnesota is home to the largest ball of twine ever rolled by one person. Francis A. Johnson started rolling the ball in 1950 and continued to add to it until his death in 1989. The ball weighs over 17,000 pounds and has a circumference of 40 feet.
Minnesota random facts
St. Louis County, located in northeastern Minnesota, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It is home to several indigenous tribes, including the Ojibwe and Dakota, who first settled the area. The region's natural resources, such as timber and minerals, attracted European explorers in the 17th century, but was officially established as a county in 1855.

During the late 19th century, St. Louis County experienced a massive population boom due to the discovery of iron ore in the Mesabi Range. The mining industry quickly grew, attracting immigrants from all over the world, particularly from Finland, Sweden, and Italy. The mining towns of Hibbing, Virginia, and Eveleth emerged as major centers of industry, fueling the economic growth of the county.

In the early 20th century, St. Louis County faced challenges as the mining industry went through periods of fluctuation. A major event was the Mesabi Range Strike of 1916, when thousands of miners demanded better working conditions and higher wages. The strike was met with violence and resulted in several deaths. However, it also paved the way for improvements in labor rights and safety regulations in the mining industry.

In recent years, St. Louis County has diversified its economy by focusing on tourism, healthcare, education, and technology. The county is home to numerous natural attractions, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Lake Superior. Additionally, the county is home to the city of Duluth, which has become a regional center for healthcare and education. This blend of natural beauty and urban development continues to shape the history and future of St. Louis County, MN.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of St. Louis County, Minnesota.

  • 1849 - St. Louis County is established on February 20th.
  • 1858 - The first courthouse is built in Duluth.
  • 1884 - The Great Hinckley Fire devastates parts of St. Louis County.
  • 1893 - The Duluth Ship Canal is completed, connecting Lake Superior to the Duluth Harbor.
  • 1915 - The Duluth, Missabe and Northern Railway is formed, stimulating economic growth in the region.
  • 1941 - The Duluth Air Base (later renamed Duluth International Airport) is established.
  • 1975 - The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is established, preserving vast areas of St. Louis County.
  • 1984 - The city of Virginia becomes the county seat, replacing Duluth.
  • 1992 - The Great Flood of 1992 causes significant damage to infrastructure and communities in St. Louis County.