Sandstone is located along the Kettle River in Pine County, in central-eastern Minnesota.
The town was settled along a large sandstone quarry, from which it got its name, which was first worked in 1885. Extensive quarries of St. Croix sandstone was situated in the bluffs of the Kettle River. Here, quarry workers drilled deep holes into the sandstone, filled them with black powder, and blasted large chunks of sandstone from the cliff walls. Stones were cut to order using a variety of chisels and mallets. Area quarries were owned by William Henry Grant, Sr., and operated by his son, William Henry Grant, Jr., who also served as the first postmaster in 1887. Several of the remaining sandstone buildings in town was built by James J. Hill, a Canadian-American who served as the chief executive officer of the family of railroads headed by the Great Northern Railway.
A town, known as Sandstone Junction, once stood at the corner of Highway 61 and County Road 27 (Grindstone Road). Here, the 4-mile-long Kettle River Railroad branched off from the Saint Paul and Duluth Railroad to transport supplies and sandstone to and from the Sandstone quarries to the east.
An area of Sandstone that was settled earlier was the Village of Fortuna. Situated at the junction of the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road and the Kettle River, Fortuna was platted by W.A. Porter, and incorporated in 1857. Fortunata served as the county seat for Buchanan County, Minnesota before Sandstone was founded.
The Village of Sandstone was formed just north of Fortuna, platted in June of 1887 and incorporated in 1887. In 1920, Fortuna and Sandstone merged and reincorporated as the City of Sandstone.
In 1888, the Eastern Railway of Minnesota completed a line between Superior, Wisconsin, and Hinckley, Minnesota. The Eastern Railway became part of the Great Northern in 1907, which itself became part of Burlington Northern in 1970, and the BNSF Railway in 1996.
The Sandstone Rail Bridge, built by Saint Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway in 1894, is recognized as the most impressive rail bridges in northeastern Minnesota. It crosses the Kettle River in Banning State Park. The current bridge was constructed in 1894, after the old bridge was destroyed during the Hinckley Fire of 1894.
The Village of Sandstone was mostly destroyed in the Hinkley Fire, after which its original location was abandoned, and a new village was built on land donated by W.H. Grant, Sr.
Portions of Banning State Park comprise the northeastern and much of the eastern part of the city, while the largest portion of the park is just north of Sandstone.
The city operates Robinson Park, which serves as a picnic area for the Sandstone community, hosts ice climbing in the winter, and preserves the history of the Sandstone Quarry. Access to the Kettle River is also available through Robinson Park.
Held in early December, the annual Sandstone Ice Festival celebrates the beginning of winter with ice climbing, winter camping, and snowshoeing. The spring brings the Kettle River Paddle Festival, which is a race for canoeists and kayakers. Combined with a whitewater rodeo, the event attracts people from throughout the Midwest.
The Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone (FCI Sandstone), located in the city limits, but a couple of miles from the main settlement area, is a low-security prison for male offenders.
Sandstone is reached by Interstate Highway 35 and Minnesota State Highways 18, 23, and 123.
Hinckley is just over eleven miles south-southwest of Sandstone, along I-35.
Sandstone, Minnesota is the focus of topics in this category, which includes websites representing the municipal government or any other government agencies or departments situated within the city, as well as Sandstone churches, schools, businesses, organizations, or individuals.
Recommended Resources
The official municipal website describes the location of the city and offers a brief history and profile of the community. A calendar of community events, contacts with city departments and the city’s administrative offices, city council agendas and minutes, the city code and ordinances, and general applications and other forms. Utility providers, and a guide to places to go and things to do in Sandstone are included.
https://sandstone.govoffice.com/
Located on Commercial Avenue North, in Sandstone, Minnesota, the Ben Franklin building has been a part of the history of Sandstone for more than a hundred and twenty years, beginning as The Walter Scott & Company Mercantile store in 1896. Originally divided into four separate storefronts and stores, for most of its history it has been a Ben Franklin, initially operating only one section of the four. Its history and online store are featured.
https://www.mnbenfranklin.com/
Grace & Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the congregation meets together for worship, fellowship, study, and service. Grace and Dell Grove Emmanuel Lutheran Churches are in a partnership as a two-point parish. Schedules, calendars of events, and an overview of the ministries of the two churches are put forth, along with its building use policies, a history of the two congregations, and contacts.
http://www.gelsandstone.org/
The Kettle River Paddle Festival is an annual event that takes place on a three-mile whitewater section of the Kettle River, from the river access at Banning State Park to the next access in Robinson Park. Canoeists and kayakers may enter at the Park, which requires a state sticker, or they can avoid the sticker by using the Highway 23 bridge access. The event, as well as associated events, are scheduled, and contacts are made available.
https://kettleriverpaddlefest.com/
Located on Commercial Avenue, the country music facility in Sandstone, Minnesota offers a lively schedule of country music artists, which is published here, including showtimes and ticket costs. Directions and a map, a seating chart, and a list of country entertainers who have played the Midwest Country Music Theater, or who are scheduled to. Sponsors are acknowledged, online viewing and a store offering country music CD offers are included.
http://www.midwestcountry.com/
Sandstone Area Chamber of Commerce
Comprised of businesses and services in the Sandstone, Minnesota region, the Chamber seeks to build long-lasting business and community partnerships, to work toward a sound economic future for its membership, to promote area tourism, and to provide networking opportunities for its members. Membership information, a calendar of events, and a list of Chamber officers are tendered, and a profile of the community is put forward.
http://www.sandstonechamber.org/
Sandstone Evangelical Free Church
Meeting at its facilities on North Main Street in Sandstone, Minnesota, the congregation meets each Sunday morning for Sunday School, worship services, and prayer. Weekly schedules, a calendar of events, and an overview of its building projects, youth activities, and community outreach activities are put forth. Staff contacts, a sermon archive, and a yearly daily Bible study guide are presented.
http://www.sefc.us/
The annual winter event welcomes the coming of winter through a variety of adventure sports, such as ice climbing, skinny skiing, winter camping, and snowshoeing, attracting people from throughout the Midwest to Sandstone, Minnesota. Ice festival events are highlighted, along with schedule updates, sponsors, and other details. Ice climbing clinics, contact information, and announcements are posted to the site.
https://sandstoneicefest.com/
Sandstone, Minnesota: First City of the North Woods
Promoting the Sandstone, Minnesota region, the site offers a guide to things to do and places to see in Sandstone, such as its festivals and events, river rafting, kayaking, ice climbing, rock climbing, and other recreational opportunities, as well as parks, interesting places along the Kettle River. Directions to various attractions in Sandstone are given, and schedules, announcements, and other information are included.
https://visitsandstonemn.com/
The non-profit, no-kill rescue facility is situated in Sandstone, Minnesota, where it provides a natural sanctuary for wild cats in need. Funded entirely through private donations, the Sanctuary is a rescue organization and is not open to the public. Resident cats are pictures and described by species, each with its own page. Internship and volunteer opportunities are posted, and an online gift shop is provided.
https://www.wildcatsanctuary.org/
