The city of Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the county seat of Itasca County. The city was named for a long rapids in the Mississippi River which formed the uppermost limit of steamboat travel in the late 1800s, although these rapids are now hidden beneath the dam of the Blandin Paper Mill. Because the river could not be traversed beyond the rapids, the area became the headquarters for logging companies, and Grand Rapids was the principal logging center of northern Minnesota for many years. With the coming of the railroad, Grand Rapids became the most important point on the Great Northern Railroad between Cloquet and Bemidji, although this stretch of the railroad was intitially known as the Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railroad. When its timber was depleted, the area continued to be important for its mineral deposits, Grand Rapids being one of the first points on the Mesabi range to attract the attention of prospectors. Farming also contributed to the area’s economy, and tourism and outdoor recreation is important to Grand Rapids today. Grand Rapids was the childhood home of Frances Ethel Gumm, more commonly known as Judy Garland. When he retired from show business, Hugh Beaumont, who played the Beaver’s father on Leave it to Beaver, became a Christmas tree farmer in Grand Rapids. The city is at the junction of US Highways 2 and 169. Highway 2 runs west toward Bemidji and east toward Duluth, while Highway 169 leads south to Hill City and then to Minneapolis, and north up the Mesabi Range, passing through Hibbing and other small towns before reaching Virginia. Grand Rapids is the beginning point of Minnesota Highway 38, which runs west toward Effie, and has been designated a National Scenic Byway.
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Chartered by the Latter Day Saints Grand Rapids Branch, Duluth Stake, Troop 4144 is in the Northern Lakes district of the Boy Scouts of America youth organization. Membership information, meeting schedules, and a calendar of events are posted, along with its unit leadership and general information about scouting.
http://www.vac-bsa.org/Troop4144GrandRapidsMN
Located on SE 21st Street in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Center offers private training or workshops in yoga, aerial yoga, pilates, and general personal training, on-site or off-site, as well as summer retreats at Camp Mishawaka or at other locations. Its services, schedules, and contacts are posted.
http://center-mn.com/
City of Grand Rapids, Minnesota
The official municipal web site offers an introduction to the city government, the city council, it boards and commissions, departments, services, agendas and minutes, as well as maps, a history of the community, and a guide to local transport options, schools, lodging accommodations, and businesses.
http://www.cityofgrandrapidsmn.com/
Open daily, the restaurant is located on NW 4th Street in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, while its downstairs steakhouse offers choice steaks, fresh fish, broiled seafood and nightly prime rib, and the lounge opens daily at 11 am, offering the same lunch, dinner and appetizer menu as the restaurant, but in a bar atmosphere.
http://forestlakerestaurant.com/
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is a business member advocacy group made up of business owners and other interested people in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. The benefits of membership, a calendar of events, and a member directory are presented, along with information about local attractions and events.
http://www.grandmn.com/
Established in 1992 as Northwoods Youth Soccer Association, GRASC serves children in grade school through high school in the Grand Rapids, Cohasset, and the surrounding areas, offering recreational and competitive soccer at various levels. Its teams, fields, and players are highlighted, along with its coaches, referees, and policies.
http://grsoccerclub.com/
The bi-weekly publication has been circulated in the Itasca County, Minnesota area since 1897, covering area businesses, governments, sports, education, arts, events, obituaries, police reports, opinions and other issues and events. Full access to its content requires a subscription, and is available in printed format or online.
http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/
Visit Grand Rapids: It’s In Minnesota’s Nature
Founded in 1983 as a non-profit organization, Visit Grand Rapids is the official marketing organization for the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. Its site offers an introduction to the organization and a guide to local hotels and other guest lodging facilities, attractions, and events. Group information and deals are included.
http://www.visitgrandrapids.com/
Based in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the company offers tool and die metal stampings, including complex as well as simple projects, working with its clients from prototype to design to the completed part. Its location, general information about its processes and capabilities, and contact data are posted.
http://www.zakobemetalstampings.com/
