Beaver Bay, Minnesota is the oldest settlement on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The Beaver River flows through the city, emptying into Lake Superior.
East Beaver Bay is an unincorporated community immediately northeast of Beaver Bay.
This is a guide to the communities of Beaver Bay and East Beaver Bay.
First settled in 1854 by Antoine Ambul, Henry Schutte, and R.B. McLean, who constructed three small cabins prior to the ratification of the Treaty of La Pointe in order to establish a claim to the property for the real proprietors, Thomas Clark II, Justus Ramsey, and W.H. Newton.
Clark surveyed and platted the townsite in 1856, who had determined that the Beaver River would provide sufficient water to power a sawmill. By the time the plat was filed, there were about twenty German and Swiss immigrants ready to settle there.
An early leader of the village was Christian Wieland, one of five brothers who became prominent in the Beaver Bay community. Christian, an associate of Clark, encouraged his brothers to sell a successful tannery they were operating in Ohio, and move to Beaver Bay. The Wielands arrived on the Illinois, a Lake Superior steamboat in June of 1856, bringing their horses, cattle, and stock. Although the townsite was on the eastern side of the Beaver River, the Wielands settled on the west side, while a man named John Gilomen claimed a 160-acre homestead at the townsite.
The boundaries of the city were later extended to include an area on the east side of the river, while most of the city lies on the west side.
The Wielands established the H. Wieland and Brothers Lumber Company, which came to include a lath and shingle mill, sawmill, tannery, and grist mill. In the mid-1860s, the Wielands bought the schooner Charlie to move their lumber and other products to the various mining places. The Wielands also operated the general store in Beaver Bay, had a government contract to carry mail, traded for furs, and operated other lumber yards in Minnesota, Michigan, and Ontario. They were involved in land acquisition, and held an interest in the Silver Islet mine.
Christian Wieland served as the county auditor, postmaster, and school teacher. He engineered and constructed the first bridge over the Beaver River and for other government projects. Despite numerous interests in the area, within three years of Christian's death in 1880, the other Wielands left the area.
Another early resident who featured prominently in the history of Beaver Bay was John Beargrease, the son of Chief Beargrease, and an Ojibwe mail carrier, who also served at times as pilot for the Wielands schooner Charlie. John began carried the mail from Two Harbors to Grand Marais and back from 1887 to sometime in the 1890s, carrying out his duties by hiking, rowing, sailing, using a team of horses, or driving his dogsled team.
Primarily a summer colony today, Beaver Bay has never been a large town. Its population peaked at 362 in 1970, and it has been under two hundred in the first decade of the 2000s.
Minnesota State Highway 61 is the main route through the city, connecting Beaver Bay with Two Harbors and Schroeder. Silver Bay is about four miles northeast, just off of Highway 61. County Road 4 begins in Beaver Bay and connects the city with much of the rest of Beaver Bay Township.
The city of Beaver Bay is bordered by Lake Superior to the east, and by Beaver Bay Township to the south, west, and north.
Beaver Bay Township was organized in 1885 and named for the city of Beaver Bay. Minnesota State Highways 1 and 61 are the main routes in the township.
Topics relating to the city of Beaver Bay, the community of East Beaver Bay, or Beaver Bay Township are appropriate for this category. Websites representing governmental the city or township are on-topic in this category, along with local schools, places of worship, organizations, businesses, or individuals.
 
 
Recommended Resources
AirBnB is a global online marketplace in which members can arrange or offer lodging for a price. The Beaver Bay section includes cabins, apartments, lofts, rooms, suites, guesthouses, and campers. Photos and descriptions are featured for each, including a list of amenities, policy information, and prices. Lodging may be booked online, and guests are encouraged to leave comments or reviews on their stay.
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Beaver-Bay--MN/
Situated along US Highway 61 in Beaver Bay, Minnesota, the Beaver Bay Sport Shop is a dealer of recreational sports equipment and rentals, such as ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, trailers, outboard motors, fishing and camping supplies, clothing, and footwear. Its new and pre-owned products are highlighted, including available rentals. Products may be purchased online, and employment openings are posted to the site.
https://www.beaverbaysports.com/
Beaver Bay is the oldest settlement on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The official municipal website displays council meeting notices, agendas, and minutes, as well as office hours and contacts, its comprehensive plan, zoning information, ordinances, and access to various forms and reports. Local utilities, water quality reports, community center, recreational opportunities, and job openings are included.
https://www.beaverbaymn.com/
The bunkhouse, restaurant, coffee shop, and gift store is located on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Beaver Bay, Minnesota. The original part of the current building was constructed in 1937 and was known as Lorntson’s Cafe, later operating as Berryman’s, the Halfway House, the Beaver Bay Inn, the Blue Heron, and the Inn at Beaver Bay, before taking its current name in 2010. Directions, an overview of the rooms, and the facilities are presented.
http://www.campsixtyone.com/
Located along Lake Superior, the main lodge and guest rooms have a North Woods - Scandinavian style, with strong use of wood, including pine and hickory furniture, all with views of Lake Superior. Its location is shown on a map, a description of the facilities, photographs, and a list of amenities is put forth. Rates, packages, and special offers are presented, with dining options, group rates, and online bookings.
https://www.covepointlodge.com/
The Cedar Chest & Christmas Up North
Promoting two gift shops combined, the business was established in 1987, offering Minnesota gifts, including sweatshirts, t-shirts, souvenirs, books, collectibles, and other items, which are highlighted here. Its location is featured, along with its summer and winter hours of operation, an overview of what it has to offer, contact information, special offers, news, and events. Phone orders are taken, for shipping worldwide.
http://www.beaverbayminimall.com/