 Old Central School (National Register of Historic
Places): This was the first school built in this
district (1895) and now houses shops, a
restaurant, and the Itasca County Historical
Society Museum which offers a history of Itasca
County and the importance of timber and mining to
this region. The museum also houses additional
items from Judy Garland’s early life that are not
found in the Judy Garland Museum. Downtown Grand
Rapids.
Contact: Lilah Crowe, 218.326.6431
Approximate time: 1-2 hours |
 Chippewa National Forest: The Chippewa National
Forest boundary includes 1.6 million acres, of
which 666,000 is managed by the federal
government. The forest boasts one of the largest
breeding populations of bald eagles in the lower
48 states. Tour the Rabideaux CCC Camp. The
Civilian Conservation Corps (one of three
remaining in the U.S.) was a youth work program of
the depression era that provided jobs for the
unemployed working on public works projects
involving conservation; 15 of the original 25
buildings remain. This camp is on the National
Register of Historic Places. Continental Divide:
separates the water to the Hudson Bay, North
Atlantic, and Mississippi River watershed. Joyce
Estate: about 1918, the Joyce family constructed a
30-building hunting camp which they named “Nopeming.”
The forest service acquired the property in 1973.
Cut Foot Sioux Ranger Station: built in 1908, the
oldest structure in the U.S. forest Service east
of the Mississippi River; the cabin has been
restored and protected and now includes
interpretive displays.
Contact: Ranger,
218.246.2123 Approximate time: 1 hour |
Visit the Lost Forty (part of the Chippewa
National Forest): Towering white and red pines
soaring straight toward the sky with bases
approximately five feet in diameter, they are
300-400 years old and originate back to when the
pilgrims arrived in America. Known as the Lost
Forty, they are a stand left spared from the
hungry lumbermen of the late 1800s. Due to a
surveyor’s error, this 40-acre parcel was
mistakenly marked as part of Coddington Lake. 40
miles north of Deer River – west of Grand Rapids.
Contact: Ranger, 218.246.2123 Approximate time:
1½ hours |
 Forest History Center: A new $1.4 million display
was unveiled in 2004 depicting the importance of
the forest to this area’s economy and way of life,
historically and present-day. Try the hands-on
components of the newly installed exhibits and
view the new “Fire in the Forest” object theater.
Visit the 150-acre 1900 living-history white pine
logging camp and River Wanigan (log drive boat) on
the Mississippi River; includes Interpretive
Center and Ranger’s Cabin.
Contact: Ed Nelson,
218.327.4482 Approximate time: 1 ½ hours |
 Hill Annex Mine: Learn the history of the region’s
other dominant industry based on natural resources
– Iron Mining – and see the work done on mineland
reclamation. Part of the Minnesota State Park
System, this 300-acre pit, the easternmost section
of the 800-acre Gross-Marble-Trumbull-Hill chain
of pits, provides spectacular views of the sheer
walls which rise 500 feet from the bottom of the
pit. A trip through the mine provides a chance to
see fossils from the sea that covered the area 75
to 86 million years ago and rock almost 2 billion
years ago. Tours begin at the mine’s historical
clubhouse where an interpretive center offers
insight into the mine operation and the European
immigrants who settled and mined the Iron Range of
Minnesota. Tour the Interpretive Center and take
one of three (or all three) tours: an open pit
descending into 500 ft. deep mine, fossil hunting,
or boat tour.
Contact: Steve Railson, 218.247.7215
Approximate time: 1 ½ hours per tour |
|
 Judy Garland Museum and Children’s Discovery
Museum: In 1996, the quarter million dollar
restoration of the house in which Judy Garland
lived in Grand Rapids in the early 1920’s was
completed. Sample life in Grand Rapids in the
1920’s and learn about the early years of one of
America’s most beloved entertainment legends. The
Children’s Discovery Museum hosts a kids’
community (Exchange City) and children’s
activities/exhibits. Talk with Theresa, the
talking tree.
Contact: John Kelsh: 866.236.5437
Approximate time: 1 hour |
MacRostie Art Center: An area artist is featured
each month at this center; various handmade
articles are available for purchase (pottery, art,
jewelry). Located downtown across from Old Central
School. No fee.
Contact: Paula Brandle.
218.326.2697 Approximate time: 1 hour |
 Myles Reif Performing Arts Center: Featuring
world-renowned entertainers, the Reif Center
offers a new performance almost every week in the
fall, winter, and spring months. Please check
their website at www.reifcenter.org when planning
your visit.
Contact: Shannon, 218.327.5780 Most
performances are 2 hours |
Nordic Ridge Pumpkin Patch: Activities include a
hayride, pumpkin barn, petting farm, duck pond,
fall decorating ideas (w/squash, Indian corn,
cornstalks, strawbales, and dried flowers),
hayloft straw maze, and cornfield maze. 1 ½ hours,
$5/person – not including hayride.
Contact: Gene Eklund, 800.228.6676 |
 Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway: Also known as
Highway 38, the scenic byway runs 47 miles north
through some of the most picturesque areas of the
Chippewa National Forest. A map is available to
explain the history and importance of this
beautiful drive. This is THE spot to check out
fall colors! In 2000, this byway was named one of
the 10 Most Scenic Fall Drives in the United
States by MapQuest, an online Internet travel
newsletter. On the third Saturday of the month
(please check the calendar for the exact date), an
annual garage sale is held along the entire route.
Contact: Tim, 218.832.3161 Approximate time: 3
hours |
Goods From the Woods: Usually held the third
weekend in September. Discover the importance of
the forest to the northland – not only are trees
cut down to make paper, they also have other uses;
i.e., canoes, home furnishings, dolls, jewelry.
Activities include: a week of hands-on activities,
“Music in the Pines” on Saturday, and “Show, Sell,
Shop: Specialty Forest Products Marketplace”.
Check our website for the exact dates.
Contact: www.specialforestproducts.com
Approximate time: 2
hours |
|
Other activities: moonlight hayride and bonfire at
Double K Ranch, White Oak Casino, Northern
Exposure Weekend at Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge in
May (outdoor activities, hiking, nature seminars,
fishing clinics), Bovey Farmers’ Days (always held
Labor Day Weekend, includes farm
displays/contests, parade, various activities),
annual Polka Worship @ Nashwauk Lutheran Church,
numerous craft shows/bazaars, and annual Shop
Hops. |
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