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According to the
United States Census Bureau, the city has a total
area of 11.6
km˛ (4.5
mi˛). 8.5 km˛ (3.3 mi˛) of it is land and 3.1 km˛
(1.2 mi˛) of it is water. The total area is 26.46%
water.
There
are 83 households out of which 27.7% have children under
the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% are
married couples living together, 4.8% have a female
householder with no husband present, and 37.3% are
non-families. 32.5% of all households are made up of
individuals and 13.3% have someone living alone who is
65 years of age or older. The average household size is
2.35 and the average family size is 3.06.
In the city the population is spread
out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24,
31.8% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who
are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39
years. For every 100 females there are 99.0 males. For
every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.6 males.
The median income for a household in
the city is $35,000, and the median income for a family
is $48,750. Males have a median income of $27,917 versus
$23,125 for females. The
per capita income for the city is $18,415. 8.9% of
the population and 6.7% of families are below the
poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.3% of
those under the age of 18 and 13.8% of those 65 and
older are living below the poverty line.
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 1950's 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 1950's.
Cedar posts and poles comprised a sizable portion of
the timber industry locally during the 1930's 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 1900's 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:
13 saloons
4 grocery stores
An Odd Fellows Lodge
Several Hotels
A Post Office
A Rebekah Lodge
2 Meat Markets
4 Churches
A City Hall
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 1960's.
In 1957, Babe Fellows and Norman Gladen built the Land
0' 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Our large shady lots are
waiting for you. Enjoy a walk in the woods, the large grassy
recreation areas, or the lake for fishing & boating. Enjoy the
heated pool or just sit back & relax. We offer all the amenities
of an RV resort in a peaceful and pleasant environment.
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.
Bob's Lawn Service & Snow
Removal
PO Box 88
Tenstrike, MN 56683
Phone: (218) 586-3504
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.
Conservation Officer
11491 Sunfish Lane NE
Tenstrike, MN 56683
Phone: (218) 586-2982
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.
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
Our large shady lots are
waiting for you. Enjoy a walk in the woods, the large grassy
recreation areas, or the lake for fishing & boating. Enjoy the
heated pool or just sit back & relax. We offer all the amenities
of an RV resort in a peaceful and pleasant environment.
