Ely, MN

About Ely

Ely is roughly 112 miles north of Duluth and only fifteen miles as the crow flies from the Canadian border. It is at the northeastern end of the Mesabi Trail and is surrounded by the beautiful Superior National Forest, which contains 2,021 pristine lakes. Within the forest and on three sides of Ely is the magnificent one million acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) which is why Ely is sometimes referred to as “the canoeing capital of the world.” The BWCAW is one of earth’s last great unspoiled frontiers and boasts more than 10 hiking trails, 2,000 designated campsites, and 1,200 miles of canoe routes.

Modern day Ely has a population of approximately 3,500 people and is home to Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Ely Memorial High School, Washington Elementary School, Vermilion Community College, Ely’s Historic State Theater, the Ely Public Library, churches of various denominations, and museums. Ely also has a thriving community of artists and crafters.

Internationally renowned National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg lives in Ely. Actress Jessica Biel was born in Ely.

Top Attractions:

North American Bear Center, International Wolf Center, Dorothy Molter Root beer Lady Museum, Ely-Winton Historical Society, and Kawishiwi Falls. Outdoor enthusiasts come year-round to enjoy exploring the forest on the many biking, hiking, dogsledding, and ATV/snowmobile trails, and lakes. Boating is allowed on nearby lakes, but the BWCAW is for non-motorized visitors only.

History

Following the final retreat of glaciers from northeastern Minnesota approximately 10,000 years ago, native peoples migrated north and west. The Dakota people historically occupied the area. Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe/Anishinaabe), the most populous tribe in North America, migrated westward and the Dakota moved west of the Mississippi in the seventeenth century. There were periods of peace and conflict between the two tribes, but the stream of European American settlers into their territories resulted in conflict. The U.S. Government ultimately removed both tribes from their native territories and put them on reservations.

Fur trading between native peoples and French explorers flourished from the 1660’s onward. The first major industry was the wholesale logging of the entire northeastern (‘arrowhead’) portion of the state. Mining followed logging.

Discovery of rich ore deposits around 150 years ago on Minnesota’s Mesabi and Vermillion Iron Ranges led many settlers to come to the area for a new life and to make their fortunes as miners. The residents initially named the town ‘Florence’ in 1882. The railroad line was extended to northern Minnesota to ship iron ore from the town of Tower to the ports in Duluth. By 1888, that line was further extended to Ely. It was time to become legal, but a town only two miles to the northeast was discovered with the name Florence, The second choice was ‘Ely, named after the ‘Isle of Eels,’ a wetland near Cambridge, England, and the town officially incorporated as Ely on April 23, 1888.

Geographically noteworthy is some of the oldest rock on the planet, two billion year old greenstone and granite formed in the Archeozoic Era.

Events & Festivities

The Blueberry/Art Festival is held the last full weekend of July and Harvest Moon Festival in mid-September. Other events include the Ely Farmer’s Market at Whiteside Park every Tuesday throughout summer and fall, the Ely Marathon at the end of September, the Ely Winter Festival, the WolfTrack Classic sled dog race in February, and a variety of other events throughout the year. For up-to-date information and announcements visit the Ely Chamber of Commerce.

Services

Ely offers most major services, including lodging, restaurants, outdoor outfitters, hospital, clinic, and many unique shops.