History

Let's take a look at Moose Lake, a region of the state rich with history.

     Transportation routes brought people to the Moose Lake area. Indians first occupying the area used The Old Indian Trail which joined the Mille Lacs Trail near Moose Lake. The Military Road, between St. Paul and Duluth, came through in 1856, passing four miles west of the present town. Settlers arrived on stagecoaches.
     Railroads brought more people and business to the area. Built along a glacial valley between St. Paul and Duluth, the Northern Pacific Railroad was completed in 1870, and Moose Lake grew along the rail line and the shores of Moosehead Lake. The Chamber sign village was incorporated on February 15,1889.
     The logging industry boomed because of the railroads. A large mill was built on the lakeshore in 1874. Logs were cut and floated down the river into the lake, waiting to be sawed. For years, the log covering was so thick one could walk across the lake.
     At the turn of the century, farmers came into the area. As the logging industry was winding down, the railroads, needing more business, advertised in Europe for farmers to buy land from their government land grants. With the farmers came stores, lawyers, and the livestock business.
     Two more transportation routes were added after the turn of the century. The first state highway came through Moose Lake in the early 1900s and brought garages and gas stations. A second railroad, the Soo Line, came through Moose Lake in 1909, running between Brooten and Superior.
     At a dark time in the world's history, with war raging in Europe and the flu epidemic taking lives throughout the world, Moose Lake had its own tragedy. One of the greatest disasters in the state's history took place on October 12,1918, when a forest fire raced through northeastern Minnesota destroying nearly all of Moose Lake, Cloquet, and many other communities.

A 27-foot monument just north of town memorializes the 453 people that died in the fire. The Fires of 1918 are annually commemorated by the Moose Lake Area Historical Society at the Soo Line Depot, opened as a fire and railroad museum in 1995.
After the fire, the resilient people rebuilt their homes and the towns. Dairy farming became the main industry. Another industry was created with the completion of the state hospital in 1937. The hospital treated the mentally ill, the developmentally disabled and chemically dependent. In the 1980s the state changed treatment methods, moving clients into group homes; and in 1995, the facility was reopened as a medium security prison.
With the decline of the railroads, the tracks were removed in the 1970s and 1980s. The Willard Munger and Soo Line Trails replaced the tracks, aiding the growing tourism industry already attracted to the area's lakes and rivers. Moose Lake is prepared for the 21st century as a vibrant thriving community.

Modern Moose Lake

Moose Lake is a thriving and progressive community of 1,687 people located in Minnesota's famed Vacationland, at the Gateway to the Arrowhead Country and the Land of Agates.

As a municipality, Moose Lake operates its own water, sewer and power companies. An aggressive plan of continual upgrades to existing services has Moose Lake poised in the 21st century ready to meet the needs of new business and residential developments. Please visit the greater community Economic Development for Growth and Expansion.

Its location adjacent to Interstate 35 provides for ease of transportation. In addition, the junction of major trunk highways 27 and 73 make Moose Lake a natural hub for commerce. Additional lands bordering the I-35 corridor are available for development.

Moose Lake is part of the Moose Lake Fire Protection District that provides fire and rescue services for Moose Lake and surrounding townships. The department also includes first responders trained to aid in emergency calls.

The city of Moose Lake operates its own full time police department cooperating directly with the Carlton and Pine County Sheriffs' Departments.

The community of Moose Lake looks optimistically to its future. The Southern Cartlon County Family Center opened in 1997 with offices for local human services and community education administration. A new Emergency Response Center was built in 1998 and in 1999 the new community and civic center was opened. This building houses the library, senior center, motor vehicle license and city and township offices.

Through church, school and community activities, Moose Lake offers many diverse opportunities for getting involved. A small town like Moose Lake is one of the best places to enjoy quiet, peaceful living, all within a friendly neighborhood. Our small town spirit allows for a worry free place to raise a family, as well as, send your children to school in a safe environment.

The Moose Lake Community Schools feature a K-12 campus located in one building with an enrollment of approximately 840 students. Class sizes are kept as low as possible, about 22 students per class, to provide for individual attention. The school is poised for the future by investing in new technologies and computers. The goal of Moose Lake Community Schools is to help students acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes which will enable them to achieve their potential as lifelong learners and productive citizens.

Mercy Hospital is an acute care hospital with emergency medical services serving a 500 square mile radius. Outpatient services, such as physical, occupational and speech therapies, are offered, as well as, the Health Care Center, Alzheimer's care and assisted living. Gateway Family Health Clinic has board-certified family practice physicians who offer urgent care and clinical care. Combined, these facilities provide quality, comprehensive health care to residents and vacationers.

Click here to visit The Depot

Attractions:
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4th of July • Agate Days • Ice & Slice Golf Tourney

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Organizations • Institutions • Utilities

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