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Willow River Minnesota Community Guide
Location:
Population:
| Willow River (city) |
1970 |
1980 |
1990 |
2000 |
2010 |
2000-2010
Change |
| Actual |
Percent |
| Population |
331 |
303 |
284 |
309 |
415 |
+106 |
+34.30 |
| Land Area (sq. mile) |
0.00 |
1.78 |
1.57 |
1.57 |
1.57 |
0 |
0.00 |
| Density (persons per sq. mile) |
-- |
170.22 |
180.89 |
196.70 |
264.33 |
+67.63 |
+34.38 |
| Housing Units |
136 |
150 |
152 |
155 |
199 |
+44 |
+28.39 |
| Households |
-- |
130 |
123 |
129 |
173 |
+44 |
+34.11 |
| Persons Per Household |
-- |
2.33 |
2.31 |
2.40 |
2.40 |
0 |
0.00 |
Geography:
Willow River is a city in Pine County, Minnesota.
Interstate 35, County Road 43, and County 61 (Cross Street) are three of
the main routes in the community. According to the United States Census
Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.86 square miles (4.82 km2), of
which 1.71 square miles (4.43 km2) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39
km2) is water. The elevation is 1,040 ft (317 m)
above sea level.
From
Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia.
Demographics:
As of the census of 2010, there were
415 people, 173 households, and 103
families residing in the city. The
population density was 242.7 inhabitants
per square mile (93.7/km2). There were
199 housing units at an average density
of 116.4 per square mile (44.9/km2). The
racial makeup of the city was 95.7%
White, 0.2% African American, 1.4%
Native American, 0.2% from other races,
and 2.4% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2%
of the population.
There were 173 households of which
31.2% had children under the age of 18
living with them, 41.0% were married
couples living together, 13.3% had a
female householder with no husband
present, 5.2% had a male householder
with no wife present, and 40.5% were
non-families. 35.8% of all households
were made up of individuals and 13.9%
had someone living alone who was 65
years of age or older. The average
household size was 2.40 and the average
family size was 3.03.
The median age in the city was 35.1
years. 26% of residents were under the
age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of
18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44;
23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 12.3% were
65 years of age or older. The gender
makeup of the city was 47.7% male and
52.3% female.
History:
The first known settlement in what was to become the Village of
Willow River, at the junctions of the Willow and Kettle Rivers, was an
encampment of Ojibway Indians.
In July 1850 a roadway connecting the upper Mississippi River and the
Lake Superior country, named the Point Douglas to St. Louis River Road,
and more commonly known as the government military road, went from just
south of St. Paul to Duluth. Willow River was chosen as a changing
station for the coach horses.
In 1861 the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad was organized with
the financial help of Jay Cooke. It wasn't until August 1879 that the
completed line from St. Paul to Duluth was opened. It was the railroad
that helped settle and promote living in the northern part of Minnesota.
The railroad also promoted the lumber industry. Many towns and villages,
including Willow River, were organized once a lumber company set up
shop.
In March 1874 the Kettle River Township was organized and Willow
River at this time consisted of a railroad depot, water tank, wood yard,
and two section houses built for the railroad hands.
Pine County records show that the three sections of land that would
eventually make up the village of Willow River were homesteaded by
Edward Clough, Albert Kinney, Peter Jarvis, Joseph Nebula, and Richard
Abbott. In 1886 Abbott sold his section of land to the Fox-Wisdom Lumber
Company. In 1888 Jarvis sold his section to Fox-Wisdom. In the spring of
1890, Warren D. Fox and John Wisdom opened the Fox-Wisdom Lumber Company
in Willow River. The company then platted the land to build their
business and offer lots for employees. By 1895 Kinney had leased his
land to Fox-Wisdom, and Clough had sold all but 80 acres of his section
in the northern part of the village. Joseph Nebula's section was past
the lake and likely unusable to the company.
The Fox-Wisdom Lumber Company sawmill was constructed and opened in
March 1890. It was located on the south side of the present day Willow
River dam. To ease the flow of logs, dams were built along the river to
store water. There were as least three built and maintained by
Fox-Wisdom. They were known as the "Mile and a Half," the "Willow Lake,"
and the "Oak Lake" dams. Sawmill operations began in the early spring
and continued until the freeze-up of the mill pond. The mill produced
lumber, lath, and shingles employing about 125 men. The mill cut 125,000
feet of lumber per day during their peak season. Many who worked in the
logging camps during the winter came to the mill to work in the spring.
On May 8, 1891, the village plat was filed in Pine County. The
Fox-Wisdom Lumber Company and its employees made up the majority of
property owners. Willow River, like many other villages in northern
Minnesota, owed its existence to the lumber industry. In November 1891,
Willow River was incorporated as a village by a vote of 37 to 18 in the
upstairs hall of the Fox-Wisdom Company store.
Adapted with permission from WILLOW RIVER: Flowing Through the
Century written by Coral Popowitz, copyright 1991, published by Kanabec
Publications-Mora, Minnesota
From
Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia.
WILLOW RIVER, a city in sections 2, 10, and 11 of
Kettle River Township, is at its crossing of this stream, the largest
eastern tributary of the Kettle River. The city is located on the site
of an early Indian village; a sawmill and lumbering were the main
industries, and it had a station of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The
city was incorporated as a village on November 7, 1891, and the post
office was established in 1889. Courtesy
Minnesota Historical Society
Government:
Willow River City Hall
8099 County Highway 61
PO Box 125
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3733
Fax: (218) 372-3723
Regular Business Hours:
Mon-Tue-Thurs-Fri 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
City Council
Meetings:
1st Monday of the month at 7:00 pm
 |
 |
| Title |
Term Ends |
Name and
Address |
|
Phone |
| Mayor |
12/31/2022 |
Brent Switzer
8142 Lake Street
Willow River, MN 55795 |
|
(218)
565-1240 |
| Clerk - Treasurer |
appointed |
Diane Nelson
8099 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795 |
|
(218) 372-3733 |
| Council Member |
12/31/2022 |
Vickie Whitehouse
8083 Park Drive
Willow River, MN 55795 |
|
(612)
616-5647 |
| Council Member |
12/31/2022 |
Sheldon Johnson
3036 Doe Street
Willow River, MN 55795 |
|
(612)
685-7830 |
| Council Member |
12/31/2024 |
Chris Ketchmark
8146 Lake Street
Willow River, MN 55795 |
|
(320)
245-2499 |
| Council Member |
12/31/2024 |
Kevin McGreanor
8099 Willow Street
Willow River, MN 55795 |
|
(218)
372-8854
(218) 310-6286
|
Post Office:
Utilities:
Major
Employers:
|
Employer |
Products/Services |
Employees |
|
n/a |
News:
Weather:
Map:
Minnesota
State Highway Map of the Willow River Minnesota area
Events:
Attractions:
Recreation:
Lakes:
|
Lake Name |
Size
(acres) |
Lake info |
Lake Map |
Rec Map |
Topo Map |
|
Big Slough |
62 |
 |
|
|
|
|
First |
80 |
|
|
|
|
|
Fox |
200 |
|
|
|
|
|
McCormick |
61 |
|
|
|
|
|
Mud |
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
Passenger |
67 |
|
|
|
|
|
Second |
43 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stanton |
87 |
|
|
|
|
Health
Care:
Schools:
Churches:
Media:
Motels:
Squirrel Cage Bar & Motel
8144 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3181 |
|
Resorts:
Campgrounds:
Willow River Campground
Off Frontage Rd of I35W
Exit #205
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (320) 245-2668 |
Located in General Andrews State
Forest, managed by Banning State Park. On Zalesky Lake with
water access and fishing, group camp, fee. |
Businesses:
Bell Timber
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 658-4840 |
|
Birch Tree Creek Dairy
County Road 40
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 658-4357 |
|
Camp Heartland Center
26001 Heinz Road
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3988
Web:
www.campheartland.orgCAMP HEARTLAND is a national
non-profit organization that enhances the lives of children
infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS through year-round
support, advocacy, recreational programs and community AIDS
awareness efforts.
CAMP HEARTLAND serves nearly 600 children throughout the year
free of charge at their beautiful 80-acre site in Willow River,
MN.
Through week-long summer camping programs and year-round
"mini-session" reunions, they help the children make friends,
have fun and develop new skills and self confidence, while
experiencing a sense a liberation and unconditional acceptance
to help them be successful throughout the year. |
|
Corral Bar
8135 Willow Street
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3369 |
|
Corrections Dept
86032 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3101 |
|
Custom Office Products
4377 River Road
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3850 |
|
Danelski Construction Co
8087 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3236 |
|
Dave's Oil Corp & Cafe
3045 County Road 43
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3173 |
|
E & K Auto Repair
32326 County Road 43
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-8887 |
|
General Andrews Tree Nursery
N Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3182 |
|
High School Office
8142 Pine Street
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-4114 |
|
Highway Garage
8165 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3161 |
|
Horton Sawmill
8291 County Road 42
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 658-4312 |
|
James Kaffer Tax Office
3006 County Road 43
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3959 |
|
Kurhajetz Electric Co
32337 Countryside Loop
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3744 |
|
Mlaskoch Excavating
8060 Park Drive
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-4067
Web: www.mlaskoch.com |
 |
|
 |
Northview Bank
8132 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3155
Web:
www.northviewbank.com
Our main location is in Finlayson Minnesota, with six branch
locations at, Willow River, MN; Barnum, MN; Floodwood, MN;
Cromwell, MN; Deer River, MN and Grand Rapids, MN. As you
explore our site, you will find that our products and services
are designed to provide additional conveniences. You can view
our current rates for loans and deposits. |
| |
Lobby Hours |
Drive-Thru Hours |
| Monday |
8:30 am -
4:00 pm |
8:30 am -
4:00 pm |
|
Tuesday |
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
|
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
|
| Wednesday |
8:30 am -
4:00 pm |
8:30 am -
4:00 pm |
|
Thursday |
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
|
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
|
| Friday |
8:30 am -
5:30 pm |
8:30 am -
5:30 pm |
|
Saturday |
Closed |
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
|
|
Sunday |
Closed |
Closed |
|
Peggy Sue's Cafe
8135 County Road 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3935 |
|
Pembrook Lane Farm Ltd
76081 Maple Road
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 658-4554 |
|
Prachar Cabinets
3016 County Road 43
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3783 |
|
Quality Concrete & Landscaping
8005 Willow Street
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-8048 |
|
Resiramps Fine Residential
PO Box 1
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (952) 920-7267 |
|
Rick Borchardt Accounting
8060 Park Drive
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-8090 |
|
Rural Aids Action Networks
26001 Heinz Road
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-8200 |
|
Squirrel Cage Bar & Motel
8144 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3181 |
|
St. Mary's Catholic Church
PO Box 97
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3208 |
|
St. Mary's Center
8115 Lake Street
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3284 |
|
St. Mary's Rectory
8118 Lake Street
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3446 |
|
Sturgeon Lake Feed
103 Main
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3108 |
|
T & M Athletics
3001 County Road 43
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3141 |
 |
T J's Helping Hands
3048 Doe Street
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3888 |
|
US Post Office
3002 Main Street
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3595 |
|
Willow River City Hall
8099 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3733 |
|
Willow River Lumber & Supply
8147 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3442 |
|
Willow River Mercantile Co
8129 Willow Street
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3137 |
 |
Willow River Mini Storage
3006 County Road 43
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3977 |
|
Willow River Nutrition Center
7750 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3489 |
|
Willow River Schools
8142 Pine Street
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3131 |
|
Willow River Video
8121 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3388 |
|
Wright Construction
8091 County Highway 61
Willow River, MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3329 |
|
Aerial Photo:
Topographic Map:
Topographic map is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR
- click map to zoom or enlarge |
|
