Tenstrike Minnesota Community Guide

As of the census of 2010, there were 201 people, 82 households, and 59 families residing in the city. The population density was 61.7 inhabitants per square mile (23.8/km2). There were 121 housing units at an average density of 37.1 per square mile (14.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 3.5% Native American, and 1.5% from two or more races.

There were 82 households of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.0% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 42.5 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 31.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 55.2% male and 44.8% female.

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THE VILLAGE OF TENSTRIKE
Contributed by Ernie Crippen and Babe Fellows

Several versions of how the Village of Tenstrike got its name have been told; however, the following account was received from the Beltrami County Historical Society:

Around 1900, a Mr. M.R. Brown who was mayor of Crookston, Minnesota, set up trading posts or buying stations for timber at various locations in northern Minnesota for the Crookston Lumber Company. Mr. Brown established the first Trading Post on Gull Lake in Beltrami County. This post was located on the east shore of Gull Lake where the Original Town site, First Addition, and Second Addition subdivisions were located. The enterprise proved most profitable for Mr. Brown due to the vast supply of timber in the area at that time. Later, Mr. Brown was heard too describe his good fortune in the following statement: "I surely made a TENSTRIKE in locating my trading post here." Thus, TENSTRIKE, a by-word and a name for the village.

Information obtained from the Beltrami County Auditor indicates that the municipality was incorporated as a Village on March 11, 1901.

The railroad construction reached Tenstrike during the fall of 1901 with further construction in a northerly direction requiring the building of a trestle across Erickson Lake about one mile north of the Village. Later earth materials were placed as embankment material in the area of the trestle to stabilize the structure and to provide safety. A water tower was built near Erickson Lake where the train steam engines would take on water as a first stop after leaving Nymore on their way north. William Travis was the attendant at the water tower during the years of its final use. Two spurs of railroad track were laid westerly toward Gull Lake. One spur was directed to the southeast corner of the lake while the other spur ended on the east shore of Gull Lake near the site of a sawmill. Both spurs were used to transport timber, railroad ties, pulpwood, lumber, and materials from the T.M. Partridge Cedar Company property near Gull Lake.

In 1895, William Fellows staked a homestead claim on the east side of Gull Lake and built the first sawmill there shortly after. This sawmill remained in use until the early 1950s when it was dismantled. The railroad spurs were removed at the time the sawmill operation was discontinued.

The first school in Tenstrike was built near and just east of the Gull River outlet at the southeast corner of Gull Lake. A store was the first store built in Tenstrike just north of the river outlet to Gull Lake.

Several sawmills and a box factory were built and operated within the Village limits prior to the early 1950s.

Cedar posts and poles comprised a sizable portion of the timber industry locally during the 1930s when approximately 100,000 to 150,000 cedar posts were on hand during the spring after having been peeled by hand during the winter time.

The Tenstrike Tribune was published as a daily paper during the early 1900s when the population reached about 2,000.

Two banks were located in the Village with the remaining bank being closed during 1930-1931 due to the stock market crash and the depression. Other business establishments during the "boom" years were:

The last school was constructed in 1903 with remodeling and additions in 1911 and 1924. Later students were transported to Blackduck and use of the Tenstrike School was discontinued with the structure being torn down during the 1960s.

In 1957, Babe Fellows and Norman Gladen built the Land O' Lakes Wood Preserving Plant in the Village. This partnership continued for about 20 years. Since that time, Babe has been the sole owner and is assisted in its operation with several members of his family. This company is a large timber processing plant operation and provides employment for persons in the area and an outlet for timber harvested by independent loggers.

Other businesses at the beginning of the year 2000 were the Post Office, the Community Church, two Liquor Stores, an Automobile Salvage and Repair, and a Fishing Bait Company.

The current population of the city (state statute requires villages to be designated as cities) currently is about 175. The 2000 census totals were not available at the time of this writing.

Two cemeteries are located within the city limits, one of which is privately owned.
Today, the museum, founded and built by Babe Fellows, serves as a monument and reminder of the rich heritage of the City and its pioneers and their legacy.

Al Bailey standing in front of the Shell station, Tenstrike Minnesota, 1930
Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society - click image to enlarge or purchase

Visit The Tenstrike Photo Gallery for more recent and historic area photos

City of Tenstrike PO Box 76 Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2292 Regular Business Hours: not available City Council Meetings: 1st Monday of the month at 7:30 pm
Title	Term Ends	Name and Address		Phone
Mayor	12/31/2022	Mike Fellows 543 Lake Avenue NW Tenstrike, MN 56683		(218) 586-2818
Clerk	12/31/2024	Cathy Nash PO Box 75 Tenstrike, MN 56683		(218) 586-2292
Treasurer	12/31/2022	Bev Bryant 406 Three Culverts Road SE Hines, MN 56647		(218) 586-2977
Council Member	12/31/2022	Greg Shogren 460 Lake Avenue NW Tenstrike, MN 56683		(218) 586-2086
Council Member	12/31/2024	Ron Fellows PO Box 113 Tenstrike, MN 56683		(218) 586-2742
Council Member	12/31/2024	Tom Nash PO Box 75 Tenstrike, MN 56683		(218) 586-2292

US Post Office 171 3rd Avenue N Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-3333 Toll Free: (800) 275-8777 Regular Business Hours: Week Days       9:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday          9:00 am - 10:30 am

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Lake Name	Size (acres)	Lake info	Lake Map	Rec Map	Topo Map
Erickson	n/a	n/a
Gull	2,257

Blackduck Public Schools Independent School District #32 156 1st Street NE  PO Box 550 Blackduck, MN 56630 Phone: (218) 835-5200 Web:  blackduck.k12.mn.us Grades:  PK-12 Students:  635
Blackduck High School 156 1st Street NE Blackduck, MN 56630 Phone: (218) 835-5210 Grades:  7-12 Students:  295
Blackduck Elementary School 156 1st Street NE Blackduck, MN 56630 Phone: (218) 835-5300 Grades:  PK-6 Students:  340

Tenstrike School - 1918

Tenstrike Community Church - 1960s
Tenstrike Community Church 145 Dudrey Street NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2960 Web: www.tenstrikechurch.com Pastor: Steve Pomp Sunday Worship:  10:00 am

Popular night spot, Bess's Supper Club in Tenstrike in the 1950s
Anderson Yellowstone Log Homes 23404 Everts Road NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2320 Fax: (218) 586-3391 Web: www.yellowstoneloghomes.net Whether you are looking to build a weekend retreat or the log home of your dreams, we have what you are looking for in a quality, custom built log home. We also do many other types of construction, including conventional homes, garages and pole buildings.
Andy's Repair 138 3rd Avenue N Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2729
Birch Haven Resort 11801 Paper Birch Drive NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2865 Toll Free: (800) 445-4330 Web:  www.birchhavenresort.com Birch Haven Resort takes you back to the old-fashioned tradition of the Minnesota Fishing Vacations that we all remember as kids. Our Minnesota Family Vacation Resort has a secluded and rustic atmosphere that is also a cozy retreat.
Cedar Rapids Lodge 25387 Everts Road NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 243-2487 Toll Free: (800) 233-8562 Web: www.crlodge.com Cedar Rapids Lodge is a family resort on the shore of Medicine Lake in the Bemidji Area of northern Minnesota. We have 45 well-groomed acres and a beautiful one-half mile of pristine shoreline. Our entire grounds are at lake level with all cottages close to the lake for easy access.
Diehl Project Management 4876 Foxtail Creek Road NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 243-3029 Web: www.diehlprojectmanagement.com
DND Rentals 20031 Cluff Lane NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2802
Eagle Ridge Resort 10246 Stallion Court NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2700 Toll Free: (800) 279-5177 Web: www.eagleridgeresort.net Eagle Ridge Resort is located 15 miles NE of Bemidji on beautiful Gull Lake. Five clean, comfortable cabins hug the shoreline allowing a scenic view from each cabin. Enjoy the beauty of Northern Minnesota while fishing for walleye, northern, bass, or panfish. Take a swim, or take a stroll and watch the nesting Bald Eagles.
Gaslin Garage Door 11801 Paper Birch Drive NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2645 Web:  www.gaslingaragedoorofbemidji.com For reliable garage door sales and installations, call us. We offer a variety of quality doors and accessories, including remote controls and keypads. We can install nearly any make and model of garage door for both residential and commercial customers. Call us today!
Hendrick's Haven 6335 Hendricks Haven Road NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 243-2366
Land O Lakes Wood Preserving 171 3rd Avenue N PO Box 87 Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2203 Fax: (218) 586-2005 Web:  www.landolakeswood.com Land O Lakes Wood Preserving is a family company started in 1957 by R.L. (Babe) and Pauline Fellows and their partner Norman Gladen. We are a wholesale distributor of treated and untreated wood products, intent on offering your company the right products at the right price. Whether you need a truck-load of treated posts or a custom order of treated lumber, we have you covered.
Laura’z Salon 19212 Gull Lake Loop Road NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-HAIR
Pike Point Resort & Lodge 10393 S Gull Lake Road NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2810 Toll Free: (800) 586-2810 Web: www.pikepointresort-lodge.com Pike Point Resort and Lodge has been in service since 1979. Your vacation is our business and we look forward to providing another year of the true "Northwoods" rustic vacation experience.
Pour Willie's Bar & Grill 122 Main Street Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2337 Come to Pour Willies Bar & Grill for drinks and great food! We are known for our steaks, walleye, and homemade dressings and sauces.
Prange & Prange 6242 Hendricks Haven Road NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 243-3231
Roger A Anderson Masonry 22636 Everts Road NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2053
Summer Haven RV Resort 10647 Clydesdale Circle NE Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-2842 Web:  www.summerhavenrvresort.com We invite you to experience the best of what a northern Minnesota resort has to offer! Located on quiet Gull Lake north of Bemidji, MN, Summer Haven is a family friendly resort with all of the amenities you’d expect – and more. Our large shady lots are waiting for you. Enjoy a walk in the woods, the large grassy recreation areas, or the lake for fishing and boating. Enjoy swimming in the heated pool or just sit back and relax on the beach. We offer all of the amenities and activities of an RV resort in a peaceful and pleasant environment for a true “Up North” northern Minnesota resort experience.
US Post Office 171 3rd Avenue N Tenstrike, MN 56683 Phone: (218) 586-3333 Toll Free: (800) 275-8777 Web: www.usps.com

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

 
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