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Willow River Minnesota Community Guide


Location:

Willow River Minnesota Welcome Sign


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.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.


Visit The Minnesota History Shop!
Visit The Minnesota History Shop!

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


Street scene, Willow River Minnesota, 1905
Street scene, Willow River Minnesota, 1905
Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society.  Click image to enlarge or purchase

Visit The Willow River Photo Gallery for more recent and historic area photos


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

Web  Facebook  Wikipedia  Email  Google Map 
City Hall, Willow River Minnesota
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
Email (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:
US Post Office
3002 Main Street
Willow River, MN 55795-5000
Phone: (218) 372-3595
Toll Free:
(800) ASK-USPS

Regular Business Hours:
Week Days     7:00 am - 11:00 am
                      2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Saturday         8:00 am - 9:45 am

Web  Google Map 
US Post Office

Utilities:
Utility Type Utility Name Utility Phone
Electricity Minnesota Power (218) 722-2641
Natural Gas Minnesota Energy Resources Corp   (800) 889-9508
Wastewater City of Willow River (218) 372-3733
Water City of Willow River (218) 372-3733
Telephone Frontier Communications (888) 241-2548
Cable TV SCI Broadband (320) 384-7442

Major Employers:
Employer Products/Services Employees

n/a



News:
feedwidget @ Surfing Waves

Weather:

WILLOW RIVER WEATHER


Map:

Minnesota State Highway Map of the Willow River Minnesota area
Minnesota State Highway Map of the Willow River Minnesota area


Events:
none

Check Out The Minnesota History Shop! Good Goods and Great Gifts!
Minnesota History Shop

Attractions:

none


Recreation:

none


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:

none


Schools:
Willow River Area Schools
8142 Pine Street
Willow River MN 55795
Phone: (218) 372-3131
Web:
www.willowriver.k12.mn.us

http://www.willowriver.k12.mn.us/~Steve_Wymore/00424128-007EA90E.0/Photo_012505_001.jpg

school.jpg


Churches: 
St. Mary's Catholic Church
8115 Lake Street
PO Box 97 
Willow River, MN 55795 
Phone: (218) 372-3284 
 

Media:

none


Motels:
Squirrel Cage Bar & Motel
8144 County Highway 61 
Willow River, MN 55795 
Phone: (218) 372-3181 
 

Resorts:
none

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.org

CAMP 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

Mlaskoch Facility Willow River, MN

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 & M Athletics, Willow River Minnesota
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 Mercantile Company, Willow River Minnesota

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

 


 
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