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WANTED! Do you have photos, historical accounts or other items pertaining to the Backus area? Would you like to share this historical information with the world? LakesnWoods.com would like to publish your Backus photos (current or historical) or historical accounts on this website. Original materials can be returned and your privacy will be respected. |
| Backus, a city in Powers Township, sections 30 and 31, was named in honor of Edward W. Backus of Minneapolis, lumberman, president of the Backus-Brooks Company and of the International Falls Lumber Company. It was incorporated as a village on December 17, 1902, and reincorporated on August 6, 1910, when separated from the township. The village was a terminus for several railroads and had grain elevators, a creamery, and a number of mills, including the tow mill of the American Grass Twine Company. It has had a post office since 1896. |
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| Backus (city) |
1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 1990-2000 Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual | Percent | |||||
| Population | 257 | 255 | 240 | 311 | 71 | 29.58 |
| Land Area (sq. mile) | 0.60 | 14.87 | 0.59 | 0.60 | 0.01 | 1.59 |
| Density (persons per sq. mile) | 428.33 | 17.15 | 406.78 | 518.86 | 112.08 | 27.55 |
| Housing Units | 164 | 194 | 181 | 194 | 13 | 7.18 |
| Households | -- | 110 | 102 | 123 | 21 | 20.59 |
| Persons Per Household | -- | 2.32 | 2.35 | 2.53 | 0.18 | 7.53 |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 311 people, 123 households, and 83 families residing in the city. The population density is 200.1/km˛ (518.9/mi˛). There are 194 housing units at an average density of 124.8/km˛ (323.7/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city is 98.07% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 0.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 123 households out of which 34.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% are married couples living together, 17.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% are non-families. 29.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.53 and the average family size is 3.12.
In the city the population is spread out with 30.2% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 106.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 99.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $26,875, and the median income for a family is $32,500. Males have a median income of $26,563 versus $13,438 for females. The per capita income for the city is $12,077. 23.0% of the population and 16.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 36.4% of those under the age of 18 and 14.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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See many additional historical images in the Backus Gallery |
Community Named for Lumber King
The community of Backus, located in central Cass County, took its name from one of the greatest lumbermen in Minnesota history.
Edward Wellington Backus was born in Jamestown, New York in 1860, and left a country school at the age of 18 to attend the University of Minnesota. His hard work eventually led to a position with the Twin Cities lumber firm of Lee and McCulloch. Wages amounted to $9 a week, but Backus had bigger plans.
As the years passed, he gained experience in the timber industry. By 1890, he had built sawmills that were the second largest in Minneapolis.
In August of 1893 a fire hit the booming city, destroying 20 blocks of homes, factories and the Backus mills. With insurance money, Backus bought another mill, only to have it, too, destroyed by fire a short time later.
Meanwhile, the timber industry moved northward. Tall pine stands in Cass and Itasca Counties attracted attention from enterprising mill owners. Edward Backus was not going to be left behind.
The E.W. Backus Lumber Company, which later became the Backus and Brooks Lumber Company, was established in Powers Township of Cass County around 1898. Lumber camps were constructed, and nearby buildings to house employees and a warehouse were added to the landscape. As more and more families made this area their home, the settlement became a town. The community was incorporated in 1902, and appropriately, the name Backus was adopted by its founders.
Edward Backus was still looking North, however. In following years, he built a dam and papermills near the Canadian border. He also added hundreds of miles of logging railroad to his new operations.
Across the United States, however, the economy was seriously strained. The Great Depression arrived, and with it thousands of businesses were bankrupted.
On March 1, 1931, the world of Edward Backus collapsed. The lumberman faced debts he could not pay. With only memories of a life of prosperity, he was nearly penniless. His innovative mind was still active, however, and. when he died — just two and a half years later in a New York hotel — he was planning yet another timber empire, this time in Alaska.
From "In Our Own Backyard" by Carol Russell
© 1979, North Central Minnesota Historical Center
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| Backus City Hall PO Box 44 Backus, MN 56435 Phone: (218) 947-3221 |
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| Mayor | Cloie Smith | (218) 947-3221 |
| Clerk | Carol Vredenburg | (218) 947-3221 |
| Council Member | Richie Bean | (218) 947-3221 |
| Council Member | Jack Tesch | (218) 947-3221 |
| Council Member | Charles Dufour | (218) 947-3221 |
| Council Member | Steven Braker | (218) 947-3221 |
| Backus Post Office 114 Washburn Avenue E Backus, MN 56435 Phone: (218) 947-4767 Toll Free: (800) ASK USPS |
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Courtesy Google Maps -
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Aerial Photo & Topographic Map Below - Click Here
| Backus Annual Corn Fest | August 12th, 2006 |
| Black Bear Golf Course | 2898 16th Street SW Backus, MN 56435-2241 |
(218) 587-8800 |
| Pine River-Backus District Office - Independent School District 274 | 980 First Street N PO Box 610 Pine River, MN 56474 |
(218) 587-4720 | ||||||
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| Backus Church of the Nazarene | 618 State Highway 371 NW PO Box 41 Backus, MN 65435 |
(218) 947-4243 | ||||
| Bethlehem Lutheran Church | 2185 State Highway
64 SW Backus, MN 56435-2407 |
(218) 947-3350 | ||||
| Emmanuel Lutheran Church | 603 State Highway 371 NW Backus, MN 56435 | (218) 947-4182 | ||||
| Lakeside Baptist Church | 125 Church Lane Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-4955 | ||||
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| Mildred Bible Chapel | 3466 14th Street SW Backus, MN 56435-2236 |
(218) 587-2562 | ||||
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| Pine Mountain Inn Bed & Breakfast | 205 King Street Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3050 |
| Ada Pine Beach Resort | 621 12th Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2283 |
(218) 587-2494 |
| Bayside Cabins & Bike Rental | 206 Rosalind Avenue W Backus, MN 56435-2198 |
(218) 947-3344 |
![]() North Central Minnesota's family vacation, biking and fishing resort in the heart of Lake Country. We set out to make BaySide a special place in the sun for you. A retreat based upon the slower-paced activities and leisurely days that you knew in your childhood. A place where you can get back in touch with yourself, your family and your friends. A place and a time you'll remember and want to come back to again and again. Your place in the quiet of the Minnesota northwoods. |
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| Idle-A-While Resort | 2263 E Long Lake Drive NW Backus, MN 56435-2116 |
(218) 682-2483 |
| Mountain View Resort | 590 Wood Street N Backus, MN 56435-2194 |
(218) 947-3233 |
![]() In addition to fishing, Mountain View Resort features several outdoor activities: Basketball, Bicycles, Sandbox, Swingset, Campfires, Horseshoes, Badminton, Grills, Paddleboat and Canoe. Four RV sites on the grounds of Mountain View Resort. Each site includes water, sewer, and electrical hookups. Besides our hospitality, you and your family or friends will enjoy fishing, boating and the beautiful view of Pine Mountain Lake. |
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| Pine Mountain Resort | 398 Pine Mountain Lake Rd NW Backus, MN 56435-2080 |
(218) 947-4047 |
| Portage Camp Resort | 1122 W Big Portage Lake Dr NW Backus, MN 56435-3038 |
(218) 947-4400 |
| Sandy Pines Resort | 2731 Raven Lane NW Backus, MN 56435-3034 |
(218) 947-4467 |
| Tuck-a-Way Resort & Campground | 70 Lake Hattie Dr NW Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 587-4725 |
Located
on beautiful Lake Hattie amidst the towering Norway pines, with
wilderness trails and lakeshore for you to explore. Enjoy great
fishing, hiking, a day at the beach or simply relaxing. During
the winter you can do a little ice fishing, snowshoeing, ice
skating, snowmobiling or some cross-country skiing over the
1,800 acres surrounding the resort. Additional notes: We have 2
non-smoking cabins and 10 seasonal campsites. |
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| Ruttgers Pine Mountain Camping Resort | 5068
State Highway 87 SW Backus, MN 56435-2207 |
(218) 947-4099 |
Located
on the southern shore of beautiful Pine Mountain Lake, Ruttgers
Pine Mountain Camping Resort caters to your camping, RVing and
resorting needs.
Begun in 1898 by Joseph and Josephine Ruttger in Deerwood MN, Ruttger family resorts have had a longstanding tradition of clean, friendly surroundings and most of all the famous Ruttger hospitality. Under the proprietorship of William Ruttger, fourth generation resorter, experience what Ruttger hospitality is all about!! |
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| A E Web Design | 511 Wood Street N Backus, MN 56435-2194 |
(218) 947-3297 |
| Advantage Heating and Cooling | 2648 State Highway 87 NW Backus, MN 56435-3033 |
(218) 947-4480 |
| Air D | 397 Airport Road Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3100 |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | 2305 State Highway
64 SW Backus, MN 56435-2400 |
(218) 947-3241 |
| All Occasions Yard Design | 4231 16th Street SW Backus, MN 56435-2224 |
(218) 851-6854 |
| All-Star Fitness & Tan |
4193 6th Street NW Backus, MN 56435-2097 |
(218) 947-3191 |
| American Legion | 426 Wren Trail NW Backus, MN 56435-2002 |
(218) 947-3156 |
| B & L Automotive Service | 107 Washburn Avenue
E Backus, MN 56435-4500 |
(218) 947-4911 |
| Backus Area Head Start Center | 320 1st Avenue E Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-4813 |
| Backus Distributing | 5108 State Highway
87 SW Backus, MN 56435-2208 |
(218) 947-3617 |
| Backus Locker | 111 Front Street N Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-4220 |
| Backus Lumber & Supply | 4169 4th Street NW Backus, MN 56435-2511 |
(218) 947-3456 |
| Backus Municipal Airport | 397 Airport Road Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-4877 |
| Backus Trading Post | 489 State Highway
371 NW Backus, MN 56435-2487 |
(218) 947-4225 |
| Beautiful World Photography | 405 Pine Mountain
Lake Road NW Backus, MN 56435-2081 |
(218) 947-3071 |
| Brad Travis Construction | 1547 State Highway
371 NW Backus, MN 56435-2100 |
(218) 947-3024 |
| Bristow's Photography | 1385 28th Avenue SW Backus, MN 56435-2330 |
(218) 587-4642 |
| Bruce's Contracting Inc | 2050 County Road 41
NW Backus, MN 56435-2031 |
(218) 947-3353 |
| Bud's Refrigeration Service | 1027 28th Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2168 |
(218) 947-4077 |
| Burns Brothers Masonry | 823 State Highway
371 NW Backus, MN 56435-2098 |
(218) 947-3633 |
| Cass County Housing Authority | 218 Washburn Avenue
E Backus, MN 56435-2548 |
(218) 947-3993 |
| Cass County Transfer Station & Recycling Center | 1705 State Highway
371 SW Backus, MN 56435-2434 |
(218) 587-3500 |
| Chitwood Oil Co | 4165 4th Street NW Backus, MN 56435-2511 |
(218) 947-4433 |
| Connie's Salon | 215 Carpenter Street Backus, MN 56435-2209 |
(218) 947-3789 |
| Contrac Inc | 1635 E Ponto Lake
Road NW Backus, MN 56435-2453 |
(218) 682-3100 |
| Corner Store | 402 Wren Trail NW Backus, MN 56435-2002 |
(218) 947-4115 |
| Country Garden Center | 691 State Highway
371 NW Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-4545 |
| D C Motor Sports & Small Engine | 285 Hickory Trail NW Backus, MN 56435-2440 |
(218) 947-4747 |
| D J's Liquor Outlet | 406 Wren Trail NW Backus, MN 56435-2002 |
(218) 947-3705 |
| Dave's Stoneworks |
4130 4th Street NW Backus, MN 56435-2511 |
(218) 947-3375 |
| Day Excavating | 290 State Highway
371 SW Backus, MN 56435-2401 |
(218) 947-3311 |
| Discount Stump Grinding |
129 King Street N Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3345 |
| Doug's Gunsmith Shop | 3929 8th Street SW Backus, MN 56435-2514 |
(218) 947-3600 |
| Eveland's Welding Shop |
4161 4th Street NW Backus, MN 56435-2511 |
(218) 947-4114 |
| F & S Transmission | 4187 16th Street NW Backus, MN 56435-2101 |
(218) 947-3363 |
| First National Bank of Walker | 620 Washburn Avenue
E Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3111 |
| Foothills Ceramic Tile | 875 72nd Avenue SW Backus, MN 56435-2486 |
(218) 947-4560 |
| Godfrey's Backus Hardware | 964 State Highway
371 NW Backus, MN 56435-2441 |
(218) 947-4131 |
| Godfrey's Just Ask Rental | 964 State Highway
371 NW Backus, MN 56435-2441 |
(218) 947-4131 |
| Gormley Insurance | 1762 State Highway
84 NW Backus, MN 56435-3010 |
(218) 682-2822 |
| Hagerty Masonry | 3509 4th Street SW Backus, MN 56435-2351 |
(218) 947-4901 |
| Heartland Real Estate |
206 Front Street S Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 587-4424 |
| Hopkins Strip Shop | 4219 18th Street NW Backus, MN 56435-2103 |
(218)
947-4962 (888) 403-5868 |
| Jim's Off Sale | 695 State Highway
371 NW Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3290 |
| Keefe Heating Air & Appliance | 559 Nuthatch Loop NW Backus, MN 56435-2095 |
(218) 947-3210 |
| Kenly Law Offices | 1843 W Ox Yoke Road
NW Backus, MN 56435-2024 |
(218) 947-3000 |
| L & M Upholstery | 2245 38th Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2028 |
(218) 947-4086 |
| Lake Region Heating & Cooling | 2402 Rice Portage
Trail NW Backus, MN 56435-2160 |
(218) 947-3575 |
| Lakes Area Dock Service | 1030 40th Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2005 |
(218) 947-3275 |
| Losgauchos Ranch | 722 76th Avenue SW Backus, MN 56435-2051 |
(218) 947-3777 |
| M A G Computers | 109 Front Street N Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-4424 |
| Mark Beckler Masonry | 730 30th Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2305 |
(218) 947-3192 |
| Midwest Real Estate | 580 44th Avenue SW Backus, MN 56435-2347 |
(218) 947-4473 |
| Mold Designs & Plastics | 1153 State Highway
84 NW Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3984 |
| Nadeau's Rods and Restoration | 3067 16th Street SW Backus, MN 56435-2240 |
(218) 587-5559 |
| Nature's Bounty Basket Boutique | 4219 18th Street NW Backus, MN 56435-2103 |
(218) 851-6775 |
| North Pine River Tire Service | 1702 State Highway 371 SW Backus, MN 56435-2434 |
(218) 587-2405 |
| Northland Septic Maintenance | 1275 Pine Mountain
Lake Rd NW Backus, MN 56435-2085 |
(218) 947-4999 |
| Patchwork Quilt Studio |
1174 State Highway 371 SW Backus, MN 56435-2395 |
(218) 587-2250 |
| Pete Trapp Structures | 1024 Taylor Road NW Backus, MN 56435-2173 |
(218) 947-4505 |
| Pine Arts | 720 28th Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2360 |
(218) 947-3585 |
| Pine Mountain Daycare | 541 43rd Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2094 |
(218) 947-3571 |
| Pine Mountain Inn Bed & Breakfast | 205 King Street Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3050 |
| Pine Mountaineer Seniors Club | 131 Front Street N Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3844 |
| Red Pine Log Homes Inc | 147 State Highway
371 SW Backus, MN 56435-2402 |
(218) 947-3666 |
| Rudy's Taxidermy | 5509 State 87
Highway SW Backus, MN 56435-2074 |
(218) 947-4821 |
| Saint Croix Valley Hardwoods | 2097 15th Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2141 |
(218) 947-3579 |
| Salty Dog Saloon & Eatery | 3380 State Highway
87 NW Backus, MN 56435-3042 |
(218) 947-4446 |
| Sandoz Crafts |
1283 Island Lake Drive NW Backus, MN 56435-2088 |
(218) 947-3371 |
| Sawyer Timber Co | 137 State Highway
371 SW Backus, MN 56435-2402 |
(218) 947-4032 |
| Scamp Trailer Sales | 507 State Highway
371 Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-4932 |
| Soukup Brothers Construction | 838 20th Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2149 |
(218) 947-3004 |
| Thaler Electric | 3332 State Highway
87 NW Backus, MN 56435-3042 |
(218) 947-3858 |
| 33 Ranch & Saddlery | 9365 16th Street SW Backus, MN 56435-2057 |
(218) 947-3711 |
| Timberwolf Lumber Inc | 137 State Highway
371 SW Backus, MN 56435-2402 |
(218) 947-3662 |
| Tom's House Painting | 785 28th Avenue SW Backus, MN 56435-2327 |
(218) 587-3237 |
| Universal Cabin Care | 715 State Highway
371 NW Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3748 |
| Universal Shoreline | 1039 Ada Lane NW Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3726 |
| Westphal Small Engine Repair | 2295 38th Avenue NW Backus, MN 56435-2028 |
(218) 947-3301 |
| Willard's Saloon & Eatery | 121 Front Street N Backus, MN 56435 |
(218) 947-3832 |

Aerial photo is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR
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Topographic map is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR
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