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Cass Lake Minnesota Guide
 

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Cass Lake is a city in Cass County, Minnesota, United States, within the reservation boundaries of the Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe nation. U.S. Route 2 and Minnesota State Highway 371 are two of the main routes in the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (3.0 km²), all of it land. The elevation is 1,332 ft (406 m).

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CASS LAKE, a city in Pike Bay Township, on the Leech Lake Reservation, received its name from the adjoining lake, which, as before noted, was named, like this county, in honor of Gen. Cass. Established in 1898, the city was a fast-growing tourist area because of its proximity to Cass Lake, Pike Bay, and the numerous other lakes of the area; it had ten hotels by 1920 and a station of the Great Northern Railway. Most of its residents were employed in the chief industry of lumbering. The post office was named Tuller in 1898, changing to Cass Lake in 1899; an earlier post office by this name was established and discontinued in that part of the county that was formerly Pembina County, 1852-57.

Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

PERMANENT HOME OF THE PINE

Cass Lake (1,323 alt., 1,904 pop.), on the western shore of Cass and the largest community in Cass County, is the "capital of the Chippewa Nation."

The Indian name for the lake meant "the-place-of-the-red-cedars," the first whites in the region called it Upper Red Cedar Lake. Fur traders reached it when following the Mississippi River in their search for pelts, and in 1794 Perrault built a post for the Northwest Fur Company at the entrance of the Red Cedar River. Although technically American territory, the region, for many years, was dominated by the English.

The search for the source of the Mississippi brought explorers, and in 1820 the Cass Expedition, headed by Territorial Governor Lewis Cass of Michigan, who was visiting all the Indian tribes under his jurisdiction, reached Upper Red Cedar Lake. Henry R. Schoolcraft, who accompanied Cass, did not agree with the leader's opinion that the head of the great river was Elk Lake. In 1832, Schoolcraft returned with his own expedition and discovered Lake Itasca, the true source; he renamed Upper Red Cedar Lake in honor of Cass.

Until the early 1850's, the area was covered with dense forests of pine, poplar, oak, cedar, maple, birch and spruce. After the organization of Cass County in 1851, lumbermen swarmed in, and logging camps and saw and planing mills sprang up. The Cass Lake Settlement grew, and the arrival of the Great Northern in 1898 hastened the platting of the town site in 1899. The coming of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad (Soo Line) in 1900 was also an important factor in the development of the community.

While lumbering was the community's mainstay for decades, with a sawmill and crating factory still operating, farming and dairying have been developed on the cut-over lands. Resorts, recreational facilities, and scenic beauty attract many visitors to Cass Lake.

The town borders the Chippewa National Forest. The U. S. Forest Supervisors' Building (2nd St. bet. 6th and 7th Ayes.) is a three-story log structure that adjoins the U. S. Government Nursery, the world's largest pine nursery (1939), supplying 64,000,000 seedlings annually to the Chippewa and other near-by national forests.

Cass Lake village is the headquarters of the Consolidated Chippewa Indian Agency (2nd St. bet. Central and 1st Aves.) that has jurisdiction over seven reservations, five of which are in the Minnesota Arrowhead: Leech Lake (see Walker), Fond du Lac, Nett Lake, Vermilion (see Tower), and Grand Portage (see Arrowhead Tour 1). The General Chippewa Hospital (US 371 and US 2 bet. 3rd and 4th Ayes.) offers modern surgical and other medical care to the Indians.

The lake (Cass), six miles long and from three to five wide, is crossed by US 2, as it enters the village from the east. To the south is Pike Bay, an arm of the lake. Star Island, the largest of several islands in the lake proper, is one of the town's most interesting scenic and recreational spots. Shaped like a star, the island was mapped and described by Schoolcraft, who called it "Colcaspi" in honor of its three explorers (Schoolcraft, Cass, and Pike). In the middle of this 1,200-acre island and surrounded by a forest of virgin pine is Lake Windigo, formerly the domain of Chief Yellow Head (Ozawindib), Schoolcraft's guide, whose band of 160 lived on the northeast point, now O'Neil's Point, where the site of the old Indian village is visible.

From the WPA Guide to the Minnesota Arrowhead Company
©1941 by the Minnesota Arrowhead Association

Minnesota State Highway Map of the Cass Lake Minnesota area

Lyle's Logging Camp Highway 2 & Highway 371 (800) 356-8615 You can delve into the present and the past at the Cass Lake Tourist  Information Center, located conveniently on Highway #2 and #371. Check on current activities and fishing, growl back at those wolves in one of the several real-life murals on display. Explore what it was like to be  a lumberjack at the logging camp with an audio self tour or as Ed Hill to personally escort you for the most wonderful stories of logging as you tour the Wanigan, Bunkhouse, Cookhouse, and  Blacksmith shop. Relive the period when white pine was king in the lumbering business. Plan your stay with advice and event information. Open Memorial Weekend thru Labor Day 9-4:30 daily.
MoonDance Ranch and Adventure Park 5 miles south of Walker (218) 547-1055 E-mail: sales@djam.com Dive into year-round fun at the Moondance Ranch and Adventure Park. For visitors of all ages, our unique wildlife setting lends to an exciting hands-on experience. Great adventures are waiting to happen with miniature golf, go karts, horseback riding, the pony corral, video arcade, wildlife park, water slide & hot tub, hay rides... even a Ranger Observation Tower. You'll find a unique gift shop in our log lodge right off the Paul Bunyan snowmobile and cross country ski trails. Adventurers refuel at the Grain Bin Restaurant and Pub while they enjoy indoor and out door seating overlooking the park. Come visit us at Moondance Ranch and Adventure Park. There's an adventure here for everyone. It's a great place for family fun all day!	OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.   GREAT FOOD HOMEMADE PIZZA VARIETY OF APPETIZERS CHILDREN'S MENU FAMILY PRICES
Palace Casino Hotel 6280 Upper Cass Frontage Rd. NW Cass Lake MN 56633 (218) 335-7000 (800) 228-6676 E-mail: palace@paulbunyan.net   We feature over 500 video slot machines including video poker, keno, progressives and video blackjack, ranging in denominations of a penny to $1. Some of our newest machinesinclude Something For Nothing, Who Dunnit?, Top Banana, Winning Bid, Jackpot Party, Wild Amazon, Dolphin Treasure, Wild Cougar, Bumble Bugs, Chicken, Penguin Pays and Cash Chameleon.
Paul Bunyan’s Animal Land 4416 Highway 2 East Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 759-1533 E-mail: info@paulbunyananimalland.com Paul Bunyan's Animal Land is a family-owned animal park near Bemidji, Minnesota, and our animals stay here with us 365 days a year. Many of them have been hand-raised, and all of them hold a special place in our lives. Visitors at our animal park are always amazed at how the deer herd (representing 3 different species of deer from around the world) will come running at the sound of their names. Every animal at Paul Bunyan's Animal Land has a name and a unique history, and we can tell you ALL of them, because our animals are part of the family. At Paul Bunyan's Animal Land, you will see dozens of species of animals - over 75 animals in all. Lions, tigers, bears, cougars, ringtailed lemurs, bobcats, white-tailed deer, Japanese sika deer, German fallow deer, muntjac deer, coatimundis, raccoons, fennec fox, arctic fox, red fox, porcupines, donkeys, goats, geese, caracals, Sulcata tortoise, cockatiels, exotic birds and more!

Chippewa National Forest 200 Ash Avenue NW Cass Lake, MN  56633 (218) 335-8600 E-mail: mrickers@fs.fed.us
Heartland Trail The Heartland State Trail was one of the first rail-to-trail projects in the country. It is a 49 mile multiple use trail between Park Rapids and Cass Lake. The trail is located entirely on a level abandoned railroad grade except for a four mile segment north of Walker, on sharply rolling terrain. The 27 mile segment between Park Rapids and Walker has a paved surface. This segment also has a second grassy treadway for horseback riding and mountain biking. The 22 mile segment from Walker to Cass Lake is primarily compacted gravel and railroad ballast with occasional sandy areas and can be used for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Mississippi River Canoe Route Lake Itasca to Cass Lake Section At Lake Itasca the Mississippi River begins its 2,500-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. From Lake Itasca to Cass Lake, the river is surrounded by wilderness and does not have dangerous rapids, making it excellent for the beginning canoeist. This part of the river is among its first 420 miles which is denoted as the Mississippi Headwaters River Trail. Cass Lake to Vermillion River Section From Cass Lake to the Vermillion River, this segment of the river consists mostly of marshlands. The area has a rich history and provides great opportunities for viewing wildlife. Paddling skills for marshy areas and for making sharp turns are needed for this stretch of the river but no special skills for paddling through rapids are required. This part of the river is among its first 420 miles which is denoted as the Mississippi Headwaters River Trail.
Sandtrap Golf Course 6355 Golf Course Road NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-6531

Lake Name	Size (acres)	Location	Lake info	Lake Map	Rec Map	Topo Map

Aa-Baa-Ka-Wisiwin Detox Center Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2219
Cass Lake Dialysis Program 602 Grant Utley Avenue NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-6671
Cass Lake Indian Health Services 317 7th Street NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-3200
Meritcare Bemidji - Meritcare Cass Lake 219 Grant Utley Avenue Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2559
North Country Dental Services DDS Highway 2 West Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-6522
PHS Indian Hospital Main Bldg Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-3200
Petersen W M MD 219 Grant Utley Avenue NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2559

Cass Lake-Bena Elementary School 208 Central Avenue NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2201
Cass Lake-Bena High School 15308 State Highway 371 NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2203
Leech Lake Tribal College 6530 Highway 2 NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-4200 Phone: (218) 335-4200 (218) 335-4217 (fax) (888) 829-4240 (toll-free)

Alliance Church Maple Avenue PO Box 365 Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-8892 E-mail: dnikki@paulbunyan.net Sunday School:     10:00am Sunday Worship:    11:00 am
Chippewa Bible Church Northern Gospel Mission 12998 56th Avenue NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-6590
Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-8892
Faith Mission Anishinabe Bible Chapel 202 Cedar Avenue NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2928
Immanuel Lutheran Church Neils Av & 3 Street Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-6134
Landmark Baptist Church 133 1st Street NW Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-6808
St. Charles Church of Cass Lake 308 Central Avenue PO Box 368 Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2359 Pastor: Reverend Anselm Thevarkunnel Mass Schedule: Sat 4:30 pm /Sun 10:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Tuesday through Friday Confessions:  Before all Masses and by appointment	St. Charles Catholic Church, 2003
Trinity Lutheran Church US Highway 2 PO Box 788 Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-6393	Trinity Lutheran Church, 1925 Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
United Methodist Church 3rd Street & Elm Avenue Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2373

Cass Lake Times 128 2nd Street NW PO Box 398 Cass Lake, MN 56633 Phone: (218) 335-2290 Weekly newspaper published on Thursdays with a circulation of 1281

Topographic map is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR - click map to zoom or enlarge

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