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Lake County, Minnesota

96 topographic sheets cover 50 settlements here, and 14 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

14 National Register listings published here, 1 of them a National Historic Landmark.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Minnesota within the United States
Lake County within Minnesota

What the record shows

  • 543 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 14 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 7 buildings, 5 districts and 2 structures.
  • 1 of the 14 listings was added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 50 populated places in this county; 50 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

14

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Bridge No. 3589-Silver Creek Townshipstructure199898000686
Duluth and Iron Range Railroad Company Depotbuilding198383000910
John Dwan Office Buildingbuilding199292000700
EDNA G (tugboat)structure197575002144
Gooseberry Falls State Park CCC/WPA/Rustic Style Historic Resourcesdistrict198989001672
Halfway Ranger Stationdistrict201111000782
Kawishiwi Lodgedistrict2021100005995
Lake County Courthouse and Sheriff's Residencebuilding198383000912
Larsmont Schoolbuilding199292000799
Edward and Lisa Mattson House and Fish Housebuilding199090001152
Split Rock Lighthousedistrict196969000073
Tettegouche Camp Historic Districtdistrict198988003084
Two Harbors Carnegie Librarybuilding198686002121
Two Harbors Light Stationbuilding198484001483

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

769 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 769 of them, burning about 99,908 acres. 167 started naturally and 43 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Natural167
Recreation and ceremony132
Debris and open burning112
Railroad operations and maintenance107
Missing data/not specified/undetermined105
Equipment and vehicle use50
Arson/incendiarism43
Smoking24
Power generation/transmission/distribution13
Misuse of fire by a minor10
Fireworks3
Other causes3

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
18 August 2011Natural92,682 acresSuperior National ForestPAGAMI CREEK
9 June 1995Natural3,048 acresSuperior National ForestLITTLE GABBRO
13 July 2006Natural2,085 acresSuperior National ForestTURTLE
7 May 2016Natural257 acresMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
26 August 2013Natural188 acresSuperior National ForestKNIFE LAKE
31 May 2002Natural150 acresSuperior National ForestBALSAM LAKE
21 October 2010Railroad operations and maintenance144 acresSuperior National ForestFULL MOON
30 May 2002Natural120 acresMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1975 to 2026

60 of 161 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 161 reports for this county, causing 4 deaths, 6 injuries and about $2,533,500 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind71
Hail60
Flash Flood15
Tornado7
Lightning2
Flood2
Heavy Rain2
Funnel Cloud2

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
July 2016Thunderstorm WindForest Center2 killed, 2 hurtSevere thunderstorm winds knocked down numerous trees near the Prairie Portage area of Basswood Lake right on and near the Canadian border. Trees were blown down near the campsite of 9 campers who were affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. One woman (age 39) and one boy (age 13) were killed when trees fell on their tent. Two other campers were injured with non-life-threatening injuries. The campers were technically in Canada, but added this to the event record for historical purposes since the campers were so close to the US border.
July 2003Thunderstorm WindIsabella1 killed, 1 hurtno account filed
June 1996LightningEly1 killedno account filed
July 2003HailIsabella1 hurt, $100,000no account filed
July 2014Thunderstorm WindForest Center1 hurtA camper was injured from a tree falling on the campsite.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindForest Center1 hurtA camper was injured from a tree falling on the campsite.
June 2012Flash FloodKnife River$1,900,000Six to 10 inches of rain fell overnight on the 19th and during the following day, resulting in stream and river flooding. Many driveways were washed out. The Knife River flooded Highway 61 and resulted in evacuations in the town of Knife River. Other smaller state and county roads were washed out. Water was flowing across Highway 61 on the northeast end of Two Harbors.
July 2013LightningFinland$250,000no account filed
June 2012Flash FloodHigen City$191,000There was six inches of water over Highway 61 at the junction with Highway 1 due to the flooding of the west branch of the Baptism River. There was also significant flooding of the golf course at Beaver bay and of Rockwood Road at Silver Bay, due to flooding of the Beaver River and Palisade River, respectively.
June 2024FloodIsabella$30,000Flood waters from Weiss Creek were flowing over Minnesota Highway 1 with half the roadway washed away at the time of the survey visit around 9:30AM CST. The roadway was closed at the time of the visit.
April 1976Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 1976Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
September 2023Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg$5,000Many large trees were snapped off ten feet above the ground with trees nearby uprooted in areas with thin or wet soils. One tree limb was through the metal roof of a cabin.
July 2021Thunderstorm WindTwo Harbors$5,000The top part of a healthy pine tree was knocked over by the wind and punctured a garage roof.
September 1987Tornado (F1)not stated$2,500no account filed
April 2026HailSilver Creek-The majority of the hail was three quarters to one inch in size but some pieces were as large as 1.5 inches in diameter.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindSilver Bay Muni Arpt-Trees were reported down around the boat launch.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindSilver Bay Muni Arpt-Numerous trees were uprooted or snapped in Split Rock State Park blocking trails and taking down power lines.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindSilver Bay Muni Arpt-About ten to 15 spruce trees were snapped near the base in a video that was received.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindEast Beaver Bay-Trees were reported down along and across Highway 61 between Ionas Beach and East Beaver Bay along with trees down in Silver Bay.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindSilver Bay-Photos were received of trees down in Silver Bay.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindFinland-Some trees were uprooted, some were snapped, and some trees fell in different directions. Many trees were large, estimated to be around or greater than a foot in diameter. Report was received via phone, and the caller mentioned that around the immediate Finland area, damage was sporadic with relatively minor to moderate widespread damage, but channels from approximately Little Marais to the Superior Hiking Trailhead along Little Marais Road towards Finland where there were numerous trees down.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindIsabella-A large tree was down over the roadway.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg-Trees were down across highways 1 and 2 near the Stony River Wayside.
June 2024Tornado (EF1)Isabella-Tornado damage initially appeared on the northeast shore of Tanner Lake (east of Dumbbell Lake), crossing Wanless Road (Forest Road 172) on a southeastward track. Satellite imagery depicts sporadic tree damage along the path, with a particularly impressive swath of trees that were uprooted or snapped east of East General Grade Road (Forest Road 362) measuring approximately 150 yards in width and a quarter mile in length. Damage continues to be evident for another mile or so before no additional discernible damage is evident. No fatalities or injuries were reported. Tornado rating was determined based on satellite imagery, and NWS Duluth is coordinating to learn more about any air or ground surveyed damage from our partners at the Superior National Forest which may result in a future revision in the tornado rating.
June 2024Flash FloodFinland-Minnesota Highway 1 was closed northeast of Finland between White Pine Road and Riverside Drive due to flooding and washouts.
June 2024Flash FloodSawbill Lndg-Flooding was reported near the Fall Lake Campground.
June 2024Flash FloodLittle Marais-Flooding and debris across Minnesota Highway 61 led to multiple closures between Outer Drive in Silver Bay and Happy Acres Drive in Lutsen.
June 2024Flash FloodLittle Marais-Water was over Highway 61 with the road being closed as a result.
September 2023Thunderstorm WindForest Center-A photo was received showing a large tree snapped and multiple other trees down around a campsite.
September 2023Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg-Several large trees were snapped and a 24 inch diameter tree was uprooted.
September 2023Thunderstorm WindForest Center-Numerous trees were reported down on Boga Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
September 2023Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg-The storm blew the top off of a white pine tree and the spotters location.
May 2022Flash FloodFinland-A washout was reported along Breezy Lane in Finland.
May 2022Flash FloodFinland-Multiple washouts were reported along Cramer Road near and east of Finland.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg-Numerous trees were downed in the area.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg-Numerous trees were downed ranging from six to ten inches in diameter.
July 2021Thunderstorm WindIsabella-Trees were reported down on power lines along Mitawan Lake Road northwest of Isabella.
July 2019Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg-A large tree was downed along New Tomahawk Road.
July 2019Thunderstorm WindStewart-Power lines were knocked down north of Two Harbors along Forest Highway 15.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindForest Center-The wind was measured by a personal weather station on Moose Lake Road.
May 2018HailCastle Danger-A spotter reported 3 minutes of dime-sized hail at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
July 2018Thunderstorm WindWaldo-Multiple trees were knocked down onto power lines along U.S. Highway 2.
August 2018HailSilver Creek-The hail was covering County Road 2 six miles north of Two Harbors.
August 2018HailWaldo-The hail damaged some vehicles.
June 2018Flash FloodSilver Creek-Lake County Highway 3 was washed out between Loop Road and Fors Road.
June 2018Flash FloodTwo Harbors Muni Arp-Airport Road was washed out between Highway 12 and Big Rock Road.
June 2018Flash FloodStewart-Old Drummond Road was washed out at the Stewart River between Big Rock Road and Holm Road.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindIsabella-Several trees blown down by strong thunderstorm winds.
July 2017Tornado (EF1)Forest Center-Environment Canada conducted a survey of the long-tracked tornado, which began and mostly occurred in Ontario before crossing into Minnesota, and rated the damage on their end as EF-2, and as EF-1 on the short distance in Minnesota before it dissipated. Satellite imagery is available to show the clear path of the tornado. The total path length was about 8.5 miles, only 0.9 miles of which occurred in Minnesota.
March 2016HailSawbill Lndg-When delayed report received at 10:25 am hail was still on the ground.
August 2016Flash FloodEast Beaver Bay-Thunderstorms brought heavy rain to parts of the North Shore. There was flooding over Highway 61 between mile markers 53 and 54.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindLarsmont-A tree fell on a cabin.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg-There were over 70 trees blown over on and near Browns Lake.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg-There were over 70 trees blown over on and near Browns Lake.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindForest Center-There was at least one large tree blown down at the Kawishiwi Lodge on Lake One.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindFinland-Two power lines fell on two motor homes.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindFinland-There was a power line down on County Road 6.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindSawbill Lndg-A multiple trees snapped near its base.
September 2014HailFinland-The majority of the hailstones were pea size, but there were many nickel sized and a few half dollar sized hail.

Mines and quarries

25 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 25 workings inside this county. 17 still produce and 8 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction14
Iron4
Iron, Titanium, Metal2
Copper, Nickel, Platinum, Palladium1
Cobalt, Gold, Silver1
PGE1
Nickel, Copper1
Cobalt, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Palladium1
Copper, Nickel, Palladium, Platinum1
Cobalt, Titanium, Gold1
Titanium, Silica, Iron, Aluminum, Sodium, Calcium1
Copper1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Birch Lake ProspectCopperUnknown
Lake and Cook County AnorthositeTitanium, Silica, Iron, Aluminum, Sodium, CalciumOccurrence
Maturi Nokomis DepositCopper, Nickel, Palladium, Platinum, Cobalt, Titanium, GoldProspectBornite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Covellite, Cubanite, Cuprite, Digenite, Pentlandite, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Sphalerite, Tenorite
South Filson Creek depositNickel, Copper, Cobalt, Silver, Gold, Platinum, PalladiumProspect1967
Spruce Road depositCopper, Nickel, Platinum, Palladium, Cobalt, Gold, Silver, PGEProspect1955
Fraser Lake DepositIron, Titanium, MetalUnknownIlmenite, Magnetite
Thomas Lake DepositIron, Titanium, MetalUnknownIlmenite, Magnetite
E.W. Davis WorksIronProducer
Reserve Pellet PlantIronProducer
Section 30 MineIronPast Producer1910
Silver Bay PlantIronProducer
American John PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Big Noise Pit No 1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Big Noise Pit No 2Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Clark PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Cramer PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Drummond PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Fall Lake Township PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Gooseberry PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Johnson PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Lake County Highway Dept PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Lauren Pit and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Swanstroms PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Thompson PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Toivonen PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer

Every populated place in the county

50

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.