Population:
Bena
(city) |
1970 |
1980 |
1990 |
2000 |
1990-2000
Change |
| Actual |
Percent |
| Population |
169 |
153 |
147 |
110 |
-37 |
-25.17 |
| Land Area (sq. mile) |
0.50 |
0.54 |
0.50 |
0.50 |
0.00 |
0.91 |
| Density (persons per sq. mile) |
338.00 |
283.33 |
294.00 |
218.01 |
-75.99 |
-25.85 |
| Housing Units |
65 |
83 |
74 |
72 |
-2 |
-2.70 |
| Households |
-- |
53 |
52 |
48 |
-4 |
-7.69 |
| Persons Per Household |
-- |
2.89 |
2.83 |
2.29 |
-0.54 |
-18.99 |
Geography:
According to the
United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.3
km˛ (0.5
mi˛). 1.3 km˛ (0.5 mi˛) of it is land and none of it is covered by
water.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Demographics:
As of the
census2
of
2000, there are 110 people, 48 households, and 31
families residing in the city. The
population density is 84.9/km˛ (218.0/mi˛). There
are 72 housing units at an average density of 55.6/km˛
(142.7/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city is 24.55%
White, 0.00%
African American, 70.00%
Native American, 0.00%
Asian, 0.00%
Pacific Islander, 0.00% from
other races, and 5.45% from two or more races. 0.00%
of the population are
Hispanic or
Latino of any race.There
are 48 households out of which 27.1% have children under
the age of 18 living with them, 31.3% are
married couples living together, 22.9% have a female
householder with no husband present, and 35.4% are
non-families. 33.3% of all households are made up of
individuals and 10.4% have someone living alone who is
65 years of age or older. The average household size is
2.29 and the average family size is 2.90.
In the city the population is spread
out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24,
19.1% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who
are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36
years. For every 100 females there are 103.7 males. For
every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 105.1
males.
The median income for a household in
the city is $11,563, and the median income for a family
is $6,563. Males have a median income of $17,083 versus
$19,063 for females. The
per capita income for the city is $7,619. 58.0% of
the population and 73.7% of families are below the
poverty line. Out of the total population, 95.0% of
those under the age of 18 and 26.7% of those 65 and
older are living below the poverty line.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
History:
Bena, a city adjoining the most southern bay of Lake Winnibigoshish,
in T. 145N, R. 28W, sections 26, 27, and 34, on the Leech Lake Reservation;
incorporated as a village on November 14, 1906. It had a station of the
Great Northern Railway in section 27, and its post office was established
in 1898, with Ernest Flemming, owner of the hotel and dealer in general
merchandise and heavy hauling, as postmaster. Its name is the Ojibwe word
meaning "a partridge," spelled binT in Frederic Baraga's Dictionary
of the Ojibway Language. This game bird species, formerly common throughout
the wooded region of this state, is the ruffed grouse, called the "partridge"
in New England and in Minnesota, but less correctly known as the "pheasant"
in the middle and southern states. Henry W. Longfellow used this word in
his Song of Hiawatha: "Heard the pheasant, Bena, drumming."
Courtesy of the
Minnesota Historical Society
Pioneer Businessman Founds Bena
Ernest Flemming, one of the first people to settle the
town of Bena, was an enterprising young man.
Born in 1865 in Minneapolis, he delivered the
Minneapolis Tribune when he was 10, became a cookee in a lumbercamp at
17, and was delivering ice cream by horse and wagon by the age of 19.
As he grew older, he made a living cooking in lumber
camps, including those in the area near Backus and Pine River. After
spending a number of years as a cook, however, Flemming began a business
of his own. He moved to a point just north of Federal Dam in Cass
County, and built a general store and other buildings from logs. His new
business helped put Bena on the map.
Ernest Flemming Remembers ..
My first log stopping place was two stories high and
built lumberjack style. I had steel beds upstairs for lumberjacks and
charged them 25˘ a night. My wife ran the stopping place and I ran the
store later on. We had a cook and a cookee. We ourselves lived in a
separate house, or, at least, were separated from the hotel rooms.
For the meals everyone sat at a table, the same as at
a lumber camp. Traveling men used to come in for Sunday. We charged 25˘
a meal.
We didn't have any bedbugs around here. We worked hard
to keep them down. The traveling men would have them most — picking them
up at various hotels. The lumberjacks didn't have any around camp.
After I got a little money I got some groceries and
dry goods. They were pretty cheap then. The Indians couldn't go very far
and had to trade with me. They brought in mink, muskrat, fox, wolf, coon
and bear hides, and I paid them with money as much as they could get
from anybody. Hides weren't worth much — muskrat 10˘ apiece and it had
to be a good rat. too — couldn't be damaged. Bear hides weren't rare and
we could get good money for them. Mink was worth about $3 a hide. The
skins were all stretched and dried; they wouldn't keep otherwise. I
usually sold to a fur buyer from St. Paul, who came through here. If I
didn't like his price I wouldn't sell to him but wait until someone else
from another place would come through and give me my price.
I also bought blueberries and rice from the Indians —
anything they had — and gave them the money. Then I sold to them.
I expected and intended there would be a town here
[where Bena is now], but I sat for 12 years, from 1898 on, before a town
was organized.
From "In Our Own Backyard" by Carol
Russell
© 1979, North Central Minnesota Historical Center
Flemming's Lake Winnibigoshish Tourist Camp, Bena
Minnesota
Courtesy Minnesota
Historical Society
Government:
Bena City Hall
Bena, MN 56626
Phone: (218) 665-2261 |
|
| Mayor |
Steve Stangel
PO Box 37
Bena MN, 56626 |
|
| Clerk - Treasurer |
Michelle "Missy" Charnley
PO Box 26
Bena MN, 56626 |
|
| Council Member |
Jon Finn
PO Box 114
Bena MN, 56626 |
|
| Council Member |
Stephanie Anwiler
PO Box 117
Bena MN, 56626 |
|
| Council Member |
Pat Rooney
PO Box 8
Bena MN, 56626 |
|
| Council Member |
William Tucker
143 Central Avenue
Bena MN, 56626 |
|
Post Office:
Bena Post Office
38 County Road 8
Bena, MN 56626-1042
Phone: (218) 665-2214
Toll Free: (800) ASK USPS |
|
Regular Business Hours:
Week Days
08:00AM-11:30AM
01:00PM-04:00PM
Saturday
08:00AM-08:30AM
|
Latest Collection at Post
Office:
Week Days
04:15PM
Saturday
08:30AM |
|
News:
Weather:
Map:
Courtesy of Google Maps
Click map to enlarge or zoom
|
Media:
Motels:
Resorts:
|
Becker's
Resort |
17048 Wild Rice Drive
NW
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2268 |
 Lake
Winnibigoshish is the fourth largest lake in Minnesota, noted for
its excellent walleye, northern & perch fishing. The state record
Muskie has been taken out of Winnibigoshish. The uninhibited shoreline
is beautifully wooded with pine, birch, oak, and maple trees. There
is deer, duck and grouse hunting in seasons. Resident and
non-resident fishing licenses are available on site. We also
offer a full line of tackle, outboard motors, gas, boat & pontoon
rentals, excellent fish cleaning facilities (fish cleaning available),
freezer service, and ice. Our ultra modern, four season cabins have
2 or 3 bedrooms and are fully furnished. They include built-in ranges
and ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, color television, dishes,
and cooking utensils. Bed linens are provided, but guests are asked
to furnish their own towels. Cabins are clean and attractive
with comfortable furniture and stand at the edge of the Mississippi
River where they command a picturesque view and receive every cooling
breeze. Cabins are well spaced for privacy. |
 Denny's
Resort is a thirteen acre, year around resort located conveniently
in the Chippewa National Forest where you can see native wildlife
such as the American Bald Eagle, deer. ducks and occasionally bears
(oh, and fish too).
Enjoy a scenic ride by car, boat, bike or even hike to absorb the
spectacular summer days or nights and the other beautifully colored
seasonal settings. These are a few things you can start your
vacation with in the "Northwoods" of Minnesota on or beside our
60,000 acre lake! |
|
Four Seasons
Resort |
952 River Drive NW
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2231 (800) 525-0457 |
 We
offer the best of the river, the best of the lake, and the best
vacation you can take! Our accommodations include modern, fully
furnished housekeeping units plus a campground with complete hookups
designed for your convenience. For those desiring a vacation from
cooking, we also have complete dining facilities. We have
everything the fisherman needs: tackle, live bait, licenses, gas,
oil, boat and motor rental, a concrete boat ramp for ease in launching
your boat, covered docks, a lighted, screen fish cleaning house,
and a guide service - all you have to do is catch the fish ! See
Rates for more information and packages. |
Iowana Beach Resort
Email:
vacation@iowanabeach.com |
14877 Iowana Beach Road
NW
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2311
(877) 665-2311 |
 Iowana
Beach Resort is nestled into the Chippewa National Forest on the
shores of beautiful Portage Lake in Northern Minnesota, midway between
Grand Rapids and Bemidji Minnesota. With only two resorts on the
lake and little residential development here, guests find a relaxing
atmosphere in which to enjoy nature. Iowana Beach Resort is an angler's
paradise offering excellent fishing on Portage Lake as well as close
proximity to world-class fisheries like Lake Winnibigoshish and
Leech Lake. |
 Nodak
Lodge is located on Lake Winnibigoshish in the heart of the Chippewa
National Forest in northern Minnesota. A visit to our resort
puts you on over 58,000 acres of prime fishing water and in the
center of 660,000 acres of national forest waiting for you to explore!
We are a full service resort open year round ready to help you meet
all your recreation needs whether it be fishing, hunting or simply
a long overdue family get-a-way! If you are looking for a
place to relax, a new fishing or hunting spot, or would like to
introduce the family to the beautiful Minnesota north woods, we
can help make your trip a comfortable one with memories to last
a lifetime. |
 Portage
Lake is a 60' deep, 1500 acre lake located in the heart of the Chippewa
National Forest. You won't find the lake crowded with other
people or a lot of boats. There are just two resorts and 12
private homes on its 7.5 miles of shoreline. It is about
4 miles from your cottage door to two of Minnesota's largest lakes
- Winnibigoshish and Leech Lakes. If you so desire, we will make
arrangements for you to take a guided launch trip there. You
won't need a guide to catch fish on Portage Lake, as we have the
correct bait and the right tackle and information and will send
you in the right direction. Portage Lake is occasionally stocked
with northern pike, and the DNR stocks it with walleyes on a regular
basis - over 10 million in the last 5 years. You will also
catch crappies, perch and largemouth bass. |
Campgrounds:
Businesses:
|
Becker's
Resort |
17048 Wild Rice Drive
NW
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2268 |
|
Lake
Winnibigoshish is the fourth largest lake in Minnesota, noted for
its excellent walleye, northern & perch fishing. The state record
Muskie has been taken out of Winnibigoshish. The uninhibited shoreline
is beautifully wooded with pine, birch, oak, and maple trees. There
is deer, duck and grouse hunting in seasons. Resident and
non-resident fishing licenses are available on site. We also
offer a full line of tackle, outboard motors, gas, boat & pontoon
rentals, excellent fish cleaning facilities (fish cleaning available),
freezer service, and ice. Our ultra modern, four season cabins have
2 or 3 bedrooms and are fully furnished. They include built-in ranges
and ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, color television, dishes,
and cooking utensils. Bed linens are provided, but guests are asked
to furnish their own towels. Cabins are clean and attractive
with comfortable furniture and stand at the edge of the Mississippi
River where they command a picturesque view and receive every cooling
breeze. Cabins are well spaced for privacy. |
|
Bena City Hall
|
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218) 665-2261 |
|
Big Fish |
456 US Highway 2 NE
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2333 |
 The
Big Fish Supper Club is on Hwy. 2 just outside of Bena, Minnesota,
about halfway between Bemidji and Grand Rapids. The restaurant itself
is in a normal building beside the fish. At one point, there was
a hamburger stand inside the fish's belly, but that's long since
been closed. Now it's just a roadside oddity. Fun tip: you can stand
inside the mouth and pose for a picture. They only put the teeth
in during the summer, though. |
|
Big Winnie Bar
|
Bena, MN 56626
|
(218) 665-2265
|
|
Big Winnie Trading Post |
1526 US Highway 2 NE
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2565 |
|
Big Winnie Cafe |
122 State Highway
8
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2377 |
|
Chain of Lakes
Cabins |
2290 US Highway 2
NW
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218) 665-2217 |
|
Cherney's Resort |
13887 6 Mile Lake Road
NE
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2271 |
|
Denny's Resort |
PO Box 8
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2222 (888) 665-2298 |
Denny's
Resort is a thirteen acre, year around resort located conveniently
in the Chippewa National Forest where you can see native wildlife
such as the American Bald Eagle, deer. ducks and occasionally bears
(oh, and fish too).
Enjoy a scenic ride by car, boat, bike or even hike to absorb the
spectacular summer days or nights and the other beautifully colored
seasonal settings. These are a few things you can start your
vacation with in the "Northwoods" of Minnesota on or beside our
60,000 acre lake! |
|
Four Seasons
Resort |
952 River Drive NW
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2231 (800) 525-0457 |
|
We
offer the best of the river, the best of the lake, and the best
vacation you can take! Our accommodations include modern, fully
furnished housekeeping units plus a campground with complete hookups
designed for your convenience. For those desiring a vacation from
cooking, we also have complete dining facilities. We have
everything the fisherman needs: tackle, live bait, licenses, gas,
oil, boat and motor rental, a concrete boat ramp for ease in launching
your boat, covered docks, a lighted, screen fish cleaning house,
and a guide service - all you have to do is catch the fish ! See
Rates for more information and packages. |
Iowana Beach Resort
Email:
vacation@iowanabeach.com |
14877 Iowana Beach Road
NW
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2311
(877) 665-2311 |
|
Iowana
Beach Resort is nestled into the Chippewa National Forest on the
shores of beautiful Portage Lake in Northern Minnesota, midway between
Grand Rapids and Bemidji Minnesota. With only two resorts on the
lake and little residential development here, guests find a relaxing
atmosphere in which to enjoy nature. Iowana Beach Resort is an angler's
paradise offering excellent fishing on Portage Lake as well as close
proximity to world-class fisheries like Lake Winnibigoshish and
Leech Lake. |
|
Johnson Lumber Co |
15149 W Winnie Road
NE
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2368 |
|
Lake Country Communications |
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218) 665-2579
|
McArdles
Resort
|
1014 W Winnie Road NW
Bena, Minnesota 56626 |
(218)
665-2212 (800) 535-2398 |
 We
are located on the mouth of the Mississippi River entering Lake
Winnibigoshish. From our natural harbor you can travel mile
after mile and view Lake Winnie's virgin shoreline. Lake Winnibigoshish
is one of the finest Walleye, Perch and Northern Pike lakes in the
state. This lake is a great producer of fish. As a general rule,
the best time to fish is: Walleye - May to the first week in July
and Mid August until freeze up. Northern Pike - July through October.
Large Perch bite well all year! During the summer, on our well kept
grounds, you will find the heated swimming pool for our registered
guests. Also overlooking the waters edge is our dining room with
reservations served at designated hours. Snowmobilers can enjoy
miles of groomed trails in Minnesota wilderness while the ice fisherman
and his family can enjoy catching Lake Winnie's famous perch |
|
New Leech Lake Campground |
12962 Sunset Beach Road
NW
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
654-3785 |
|
Nodak Lodge |
15080 Nodak Drive
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2226
(800) 752-2758 |
|
Nodak
Lodge is located on Lake Winnibigoshish in the heart of the Chippewa
National Forest in northern Minnesota. A visit to our resort
puts you on over 58,000 acres of prime fishing water and in the
center of 660,000 acres of national forest waiting for you to explore!
We are a full service resort open year round ready to help you meet
all your recreation needs whether it be fishing, hunting or simply
a long overdue family get-a-way! If you are looking for a
place to relax, a new fishing or hunting spot, or would like to
introduce the family to the beautiful Minnesota north woods, we
can help make your trip a comfortable one with memories to last
a lifetime. |
|
Northstar Resort |
584 Northstar Drive
NE
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218) 654-3330
|
|
Safari Imports |
987 River Drive NW
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2224 |
|
Sunset Beach
Resort |
14703 Portage Road NE
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218)
665-2324 |
|
Portage
Lake is a 60' deep, 1500 acre lake located in the heart of the Chippewa
National Forest. You won't find the lake crowded with other
people or a lot of boats. There are just two resorts and 12
private homes on its 7.5 miles of shoreline. It is about
4 miles from your cottage door to two of Minnesota's largest lakes
- Winnibigoshish and Leech Lakes. If you so desire, we will make
arrangements for you to take a guided launch trip there. You
won't need a guide to catch fish on Portage Lake, as we have the
correct bait and the right tackle and information and will send
you in the right direction. Portage Lake is occasionally stocked
with northern pike, and the DNR stocks it with walleyes on a regular
basis - over 10 million in the last 5 years. You will also
catch crappies, perch and largemouth bass. |
|
Winnibigoshish
Historical Center |
1510 US Highway 2
NE
Bena, MN 56626 |
(218) 665-2585
|
|
Bena
is part of 
Lake
Winnibigoshish Water Level Data
