Located along the Savannah Portage, an important transportation route in the southern Arrowhead region, the area where Floodwood sites is at the junction of the Floodwood River and the East Savannah River with the Saint Louis River. People began homesteading the area in the late 1800s, and, in 1889, the railroad announced that its line would pass through the area, leading to rise in population. Large-scale logging operations were begun by J.C. Campbell in 1890, and the C.N. Nelson Lumber Company built a logging railroad to the area from Cloquet. Later, the Nelsonn company became part of the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company, after which its logging operations intensified. Floodwood was incorporated in 1899. A large fire, known as the Cloquet Fire of 1918, destroyed the town’s timber and diminished the importance of the rivers. Gradually, the town’s economy turned to the dairy industry, as the surrounding fields had pastures suitable for grazing cattle. The Floodwood Creamery Cooperative had already been organized in 1911, and the creamery became the chief support for the local economy until it closed in the late 1960s. Although the 2010 census showed a slight increase in the town’s population, its had decreased each decade since its peak population of 677 in 1960. Today, the city is at the junction of US Highway 2 and Minnesota Highway 73, about halfway between Duluth and Grand Rapids, along Highway 2, and between Hibbing and Moose Lake along Highway 73. Cloquet is also nearby.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Floodwood is located about forty-five miles west of Duluth, Minnesota along US Highway 2. The official city web site offers contacts and office hours for administrative and departmental personnel, meeting agendas and minutes, and access to common forms. Employment notices are posted, and a guide to area attractions and events are featured.
http://www.ci.floodwood.mn.us/
Located on West Highway 2 in Floodwood, Minnesota, the local credit union offers a variety of financial services to its members, including share savings and drafts, loans, and specialty services. Its location, lobby hours, and online services are featured, along with rates, debit card services, and online services. Notices are published to the site.
http://www.floodwoodcu.com/
Floodwood Business Community Partnership
The FB/CP is a non-profit organization that was formed as a means of bringing business and community leaders together for support and networking. Its meetings and event schedules are published, along with membership notices, project reports, and membership information, a list of officers and administrative contacts and office hours.
http://www.floodwoodbusinesses.com/
Floodwood Gas & Electric Company
Floodwood Gas & Electric is a locally owned company offering propane, heating, and air conditioning services to the Floodwood, Minnesota region. Its residential and commercial delivery services, heating maintenance installations and services, with 24-hour emergency services available, and air conditioning upgrades, services, and emergency responses.
http://floodwoodpropane.com/
Published in Floodwood, Minnesota, the weekly newspaper covers local and regional news relating to Floodwood and the neighboring communities of Hibbing, Grand Rapids, and Cloquet. Its advertising rates and local writers are featured, along with a guide to local businesses, entertainment venues, schools, sports, and outdoor activities.
http://www.floodwoodnews.com/
Located on Highway 73, the Floodwood, Minnesota school offers a curriculum for students in pre-kindergarten through the twelfth grade, serving the city of Floodwood, eight townships in St. Louis County, and one township in Aitkin County. A district calendar is featured, and its elementary and secondary programs are discussed.
http://www.floodwood.k12.mn.us/
FST offers state licensed programs to provide a range of services to people with disabilities, including adult day service, day training and habilitation, and pre-vocational supported employment. Details of its services and programs are put forward, directions, office hours, and contacts are stated, along with various publications.
http://www.fst2b.org/
Based near Floodwood, Minnesota, the contractor builds post-frame steel buildings for agricultural, residential, and commercial applications, primarily for customers in Itasca, Saint Louis, Carlton, Pine, and Aitkin counties. Product details, options, special offers, and a gallery of photographs highlighting the company's products are put forth, along with contacts and office hours.
http://www.lindquistbuildings.com/