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According to the
United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.7
km˛ (1.8
mi˛).
4.6 km˛ (1.8 mi˛) of it is land and 0.1 km˛ (0.04 mi˛) of it (1.66%) is
water.
As of the
census2
of 2000, there were 469 people, 208 households, and 110
families residing in the city. The
population density was 101.7/km˛ (263.5/mi˛). There
were 226 housing units at an average density of 49.0/km˛
(127.0/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 97.65%
White, 1.71%
Native American, 0.21% from
other races, and 0.43% from two or more races.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 208 households out of which 21.2%
had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0%
were
married couples living together, 10.1% had a female
householder with no husband present, and 47.1% were non-families.
42.8% of all households were made up of individuals and
24.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or
older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average
family size was 2.68.
In the city the population was spread
out with 16.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24,
21.5% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 31.6% who
were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years.
For every 100 females there were 80.4 males. For every 100
females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.
The median income for a household in the
city was $24,167, and the median income for a family was
$36,250. Males had a median income of $32,083 versus $19,886
for females. The
per capita income for the city was $14,455. About 6.0%
of families and 12.3% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18
and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
BIGFORK Township and its railway village are named from their
location on the Big Fork River. The city of Bigfork was incorporated as
a village on January 17, 1907; settlement began in 1892 when Damase Neveaux
built a log cabin on the river and laid claim to a tract of pine timber.
It had a station of the Minneapolis and Rainy River Railway, and the post
office was established in 1902.
Like a lot of towns in Northern Minnesota,
Bigfork was created by loggers, fur traders and trappers. Its largest boom
was due to the major logging done in the early 20th century. This includes
the CCC camps of the Roosevelt Era and local mills, including Rajala Mill
Co. and Potlach, just to name a few who helped develop this area. More recently,
it has been somewhat of a hub for tourism activities due to the many lakes
in the area. Fishing in the summer is the main attraction, hunting in the
fall, snowmobiling in the winter, and a breathtaking natural beauty in the
spring.
The adventurous
voyageurs of nearly 300 years ago discovered it and now you can,
too -- The Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway. Welcome
to Highway 38, one of the first 20 designated National Scenic Byways.
The course is 9 holes complete with a putting
green, chipping & pitching green and a 350 yard driving range.
It is not unusual to see deer, bear, timber wolves
or Canadian Geese on the course. The statuesque bear situated near
the clubhouse was donated to the course by the Baileys.
With its pristine lakes, virgin pines,
swimming beach, and nesting osprey, Scenic State Park is well deserving
of its name. Here, visitors can hike the Chase Point Trail for hypnotic
views of Coon and Sandwick Lakes and listen to the wind whistle
through the the giant pines. The park's overnight facilities include
campsites (boat-in, drive-in, backpack), and a guest house. The
historic lodge houses interpretive displays.
Bigfork Valley is a diversified health care campus
in the heart of the northern Minnesota lakes and pines country.
On the shores of the Big Fork River, our facility offers state of
the art medical services and a variety of senior living options
– all under one roof.
Our school was established in 1925. In 1993, the
old school building was demolished and a new addition of our high
school was completed for the 1998-99 school year. This addition
compliments our elementary school built in 1988. We have a student
population of approximately 270, taking in a radius of 40 square
miles for student enrollment. Early Childhood Family Education and
Kindergarten through 12th grade are housed under one roof.
Local news, weather and area information and Links
to the northern Minnesota communities of Marcell, Bigfork, Effie,Grand
Rapids and other areas of Itasca County Minnesota. Located in the
Chippewa National Forest, it also is home to The Edge of The Wilderness
Scenic Byway. We are located in Itasca County in Northern Minnesota.
We have Northern Minnesota news,Grand Rapids, Marcell and Bigfork
news as well as Itasca County news. We have links and information
on lodging, real estate, Vacations, The Edge Of the Wilderness,
canoeing, hunting, fishing, retirement, tourism and campgrounds.The
Chippewa National Forest is our home.
Antler Resort provides
wilderness beauty and recreation on 40 spacious acres surrounded
by the George Washington State Forest. We are easily accessible
off scenic Hwy 7, just south of the Scenic State Park.
Located on the shores of Big Turtle Lake, Arcadia
Lodge is located in northeastern Minnesota, 30 miles north of Grand
Rapids, just off the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway.
It is completely surrounded by the Chippewa National Forest. Sparkling
clear blue waters, the call of the loon, a soaring eagle and the
tranquility of a new born fawn are all part of the true northwoods
getaway that our guests experience.
Hillcrest Resort
on Hatch and Turtle Lakes offers 7 modern housekeeping cabins with
two or three bedrooms. The lodge has comfortable guest rooms, available
year round for "Bed and Breakfast."
- Open May Thru November
- Lodge Open Year Around
- Restaurant and Gift Shop
- Game Room and Playground
- Beach and Swimming Area
- Pets Allowed
- Boat Ramp
- Boat & Motor Rentals
- Pontoon Rentals
- Great Large & Smallmouth Bass, Northern, Walleye, Crappie and
Bluegill Fishing
Loon Point Resort has a variety of offerings.
Clean, comfortable cabins, including 2 brand new log cabins, that
become your special vacation spot are awaiting your arrival. Each
cabin provides that special Minnesota Northwoods vacation, yet offers
the amenities you want to make your stay comfortable and easy-going.
All cabins are non-smoking.
Maple Ridge Resort
42388 Turtle Lake Road
Bigfork, MN 56628
Phone: (218) 832-3837
Toll Free: (877) 261-3837
On the shores
of Hatch Lake, nestled under huge Maple trees, you will find the
perfect Northwoods resort setting. We welcome you to vacation at
Maple Ridge Resort where you will find new and remodeled, spotless,
modern housekeeping cabins. Here at the "Edge of the Wilderness",
in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest, you will find a pleasant
blend of rustic charm and modern accommodations. We promise to provide
you with a quality vacation that will entice you to return year
after year.
On your way to Maple Ridge Resort
to truly experience a memorable vacation, travel Highway 38 north
out of Grand Rapids, MN. This highway is designated a National Scenic
Byway! The Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway with its
extraordinary views and winding roads is something your whole family
will never forget. The breathtaking scenery is a healthy stress
reliever spring, summer, fall and winter. The Itasca County Fall
Color Tour, was recently rated one of the "Top Ten" in the United
States and runs in front of our door! Come to Maple Ridge Resort
and experience the Northwoods all year long.
Over the last few years, the folks
in Bigfork, Minnesota have been pouring their hearts and souls into
Northern Pines Communities, a revolutionary nursing home that has
embraced dramatic culture change. They knew they were doing something
new and wonderful, but now other people are sitting up and taking
notice as well. This March, following the Minnesota Health and Housing
Alliance's decision to honor Northern Pines with the Excellence
in Service Award, they were also the subject of a feature article
on snalf.com, one of the premiere long term care sites on the Internet.
Read on to find out what they said.
Virtual North Woods provides local information
for northern Minnesota including snowmobile reports, calendar of
social events, contests, fall color reports, snow reports, fishing
reports, camping, and features including Express Online newspaper,
Real Men of the Virtual North Woods, Girl Friends, Cricket in the
Corner
Aerial Photo:
[click photo to enlarge, zoom in or zoom out]
Aerial photo is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR -
click map to zoom or enlarge
Topographic Map:
[click image to enlarge, zoom in or zoom out]
Topographic map is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR
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click map to zoom or enlarge
