Ely, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 3,724 people, 1,912 households, and 916 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,369.5 people per square mile (528.6/km²). There were 1,912 housing units at an average density of 703.2 per square mile (271.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.86% White, 0.86% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.30% from other races
, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population. 21.8% were of German
, 12.2% Slovene, 11.7% Finnish, 8.7% Norwegian, 6.4% English
, 5.6% Swedish and 5.4% Polish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 1,912 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 16.2% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,615, and the median income for a family was $36,047. Males had a median income of $34,559 versus $18,833 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,855. About 9.5% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
, the city has a total area of 2.7 mi2, all of it land.
Ely is about 100 miles (160.9 km) north of Duluth, Minnesota
, 137 miles southeast of International Falls, Minnesota
, and about 240 miles (386.2 km) north of Minneapolis – Saint Paul, Minnesota's largest metropolitan center.
The famed Echo Trail (Saint Louis County Road 116), is a former logging road that runs north and west out of Ely and provides the primary access to the lakes of the western Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The trail is a 72 miles (115.9 km) roller coaster ride on asphalt and gravel through the untrammeled wilderness of the Superior National Forest
and Kabetogama State Forest
. Numerous trailhead
s and canoe portages along the Echo Trail provide access to the BWCAW. A sidetrip presses north to the resort village of Crane Lake
, a gateway to Voyageurs National Park
. Special attractions: Unmatched views of sharply rolling forest, lakes, wetlands, rivers, and granite crags in one of the most remote areas in the contiguous United States
; canoeing
, fishing
, cross-country skiing
, snowmobiling, and primitive camping in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters; opportunities to see wildlife such as bald eagles, ospreys, moose, bears, wolves, and beavers; blueberry and other wild berry picking and wildflower viewing.
On the Köppen climate classification
, Ely falls in the warm summer humid continental climate zone (Dfb).
The town was first named Florence, but after discovering that another town in Minnesota was already named Florence, the name was changed to Ely. This name was in honor of Samuel B. Ely, a miner from Michigan who never actually saw the town.
After the addition of the railroad in 1888, the mines began shipping the iron ore to the docks of Lake Superior in Two Harbors
. Originally, the mining was an open pit operation since there was an abundance of iron ore on the surface. Later, deep shafts were made to start mining underground.
With the addition of underground mining, support beams made of logs were put in to prevent tunnel collapsing. This in turn started the logging and milling industry for Ely.
In 1967, the Pioneer mine closed. It was the last of 11 mines located in the Ely area. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and hosts Ely Arts & Heritage Center. Logging still takes place today in Ely, but on a limited basis.
Ely is the largest "jumping off" town for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, with extensive outfitting and other services. It can credibly be claimed to do the most wilderness canoe outfitting of any town or city in the world.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,724 people, 1,912 households, and 916 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,369.5 people per square mile (528.6/km²). There were 1,912 housing units at an average density of 703.2 per square mile (271.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.86% White, 0.86% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.30% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population. 21.8% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 12.2% Slovene, 11.7% Finnish, 8.7% Norwegian, 6.4% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 5.6% Swedish and 5.4% Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 1,912 households out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 16.2% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,615, and the median income for a family was $36,047. Males had a median income of $34,559 versus $18,833 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,855. About 9.5% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
Geography and Climate
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2.7 mi2, all of it land.
Ely is about 100 miles (160.9 km) north of Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, 137 miles southeast of International Falls, Minnesota
International Falls, Minnesota
International Falls is a city in and the county seat of Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 6,424 at the 2010 census....
, and about 240 miles (386.2 km) north of Minneapolis – Saint Paul, Minnesota's largest metropolitan center.
The famed Echo Trail (Saint Louis County Road 116), is a former logging road that runs north and west out of Ely and provides the primary access to the lakes of the western Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The trail is a 72 miles (115.9 km) roller coaster ride on asphalt and gravel through the untrammeled wilderness of the Superior National Forest
Superior National Forest
Superior National Forest, part of the United States National Forest system, is located in the Arrowhead Region of the state of Minnesota between the Canada – United States border and the north shore of Lake Superior...
and Kabetogama State Forest
Kabetogama State Forest
The Kabetogama State Forest is a state forest located in Koochiching and St. Louis counties, Minnesota. The forest borders the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the east, the Sturgeon River State Forest to the south, the Nett Lake Indian Reservation to the...
. Numerous trailhead
Trailhead
A trailhead is the point at which a trail begins, where the trail is often intended for hiking, biking, horseback riding, or off-road vehicles...
s and canoe portages along the Echo Trail provide access to the BWCAW. A sidetrip presses north to the resort village of Crane Lake
Crane Lake, Minnesota
Crane Lake is an unincorporated community in Crane Lake Township, St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States. It lies along County Road 24 in the Kabetogama State Forest....
, a gateway to Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park is a United States National Park in northern Minnesota near the town of International Falls. It was established in 1975. The park's name commemorates the voyageurs, French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers to frequently travel through the area...
. Special attractions: Unmatched views of sharply rolling forest, lakes, wetlands, rivers, and granite crags in one of the most remote areas in the contiguous United States
Contiguous United States
The contiguous United States are the 48 U.S. states on the continent of North America that are south of Canada and north of Mexico, plus the District of Columbia....
; canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
, snowmobiling, and primitive camping in the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters; opportunities to see wildlife such as bald eagles, ospreys, moose, bears, wolves, and beavers; blueberry and other wild berry picking and wildflower viewing.
On the Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
, Ely falls in the warm summer humid continental climate zone (Dfb).
History
Chippewa, or the Ojibwe, were the first to inhabit the Ely area. They are believed to have sought refuge with the abundance of blueberries, which is why the townspeople hold the Blueberry Festival every year in late July. Trappers and voyageurs made their way to the area in the 18th century in search of new land and furs. Later, in the mid-19th century, while explorers and prospectors were entering the area, the gold rush began. Although no gold was found in the Ely area, large deposits of iron ore were. Iron ore was first discovered in Ely in 1883, near the west end of the flooded, abandoned mine that is now called Miner's Lake. As the mining of the iron ore began, the population of Ely began to boom.The town was first named Florence, but after discovering that another town in Minnesota was already named Florence, the name was changed to Ely. This name was in honor of Samuel B. Ely, a miner from Michigan who never actually saw the town.
After the addition of the railroad in 1888, the mines began shipping the iron ore to the docks of Lake Superior in Two Harbors
Two Harbors, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,613 people, 1,636 households, and 953 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,120.7 people per square mile . There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile...
. Originally, the mining was an open pit operation since there was an abundance of iron ore on the surface. Later, deep shafts were made to start mining underground.
With the addition of underground mining, support beams made of logs were put in to prevent tunnel collapsing. This in turn started the logging and milling industry for Ely.
In 1967, the Pioneer mine closed. It was the last of 11 mines located in the Ely area. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and hosts Ely Arts & Heritage Center. Logging still takes place today in Ely, but on a limited basis.
Ely is the largest "jumping off" town for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, with extensive outfitting and other services. It can credibly be claimed to do the most wilderness canoe outfitting of any town or city in the world.
Notable residents
- Jessica BielJessica BielJessica Claire Biel is an American actress, model, and occasional singer. Biel is known for her television role as Mary Camden in the long-running family-drama series 7th Heaven...
– Actress - Jim BrandenburgJim BrandenburgJim Brandenburg is an environmentalist and nature photographer and filmmaker based near Ely, Minnesota. His career includes over 10 years as a newspaper photojournalist, over 30 years as a contract photographer for the National Geographic Society, and commissions from such groups as the United...
– photographer with National Geographic - Kathy Gfeller – actress who portrays Twig the FairyTwig the FairyTwig Oaklyn Flewinia Thistlebottom, better known as Twig the Fairy, is a fairy character at Renaissance fairs around the United States. A "charmer of children", Twig entertains passers-by with jigs and airs played on a double-piped aulos. She occasionally offers a glass stone glittering with...
- Dorothy Louise MolterDorothy MolterDorothy Louise Molter , lived for 56 years on Knife Lake in the Boundary Waters area of northern Minnesota...
– the Root Beer Lady - Joe SeligaJoe seligaJoe Seliga was a master builder of wood-and-canvas canoes in Ely, Minnesota.Joe Seliga was born to Steve and Anna Seliga in Ely, Minnesota and graduated from Ely Memorial High School....
– Canoe builder - Tyler Fish – Explorer
- Sigurd F. OlsonSigurd F. OlsonSigurd F. Olson was an American author, environmentalist, and advocate for the protection of wilderness. For more than thirty years, he served as a wilderness guide in the lakes and forests of the Quetico-Superior country of northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario...
– Naturalist and author - Will StegerWill StegerWill Steger is a prominent spokesperson for the understanding and preservation of the Arctic and has led some of the most significant feats in the field of dogsled expeditions; such as the first confirmed dogsled journey to the North Pole in 1986, the 1,600-mile south-north traverse of Greenland...
– Explorer
See also
- Minnesota State Highway 1Minnesota State Highway 1Minnesota State Highway 1 is a highway in northwest and northeast Minnesota, which runs from North Dakota Highway 54 at the North Dakota state line and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with Minnesota Highway 61 at the unincorporated town of Illgen City in Beaver Bay...
- Minnesota State Highway 169Minnesota State Highway 169Minnesota State Highway 169 is a highway in northeast Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with U.S. Highway 53 in Wuori Township and continues northeast to its northern terminus at the intersection of Lake County Road 18 and Power Dam Road in Fall Lake Township...
- County Road 21 – Central Avenue
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area WildernessBoundary Waters Canoe Area WildernessThe Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness , is a wilderness area within the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota under the administration of the U.S. Forest Service...
External links
- Ely, MN – City Government website
- Ely, MN (WikiTravel)
- Ely Chamber of Commerce
- Ely Area Information
- WELY Radio
- Boundary Waters Radio
- North American Bear Center
- International Wolf Center
- Ely Photo Gallery
- Tribute to Bob Cary
- Vermilion Community College
- Independent School District No. 696
- Dorothy Molter Museum
- Ely Echo newspaper site