Like other northeastern Minnesota towns, the city of Virginia was created to accommodate the iron ore industry in the area.
Ore was discovered in the area in March of 1892 and were setting new records often by the late 1890s, and Virginia was one of several mining camps built for the financial backers of the mines, as well as for mine workers and supporting industries.
Others came to the area for the lumber, and both became significant industries. At the same time, Virginia had the largest ore-producing mine and the largest white pine mill in the world.
Mines located in Virginia included the Franklin Mine, Iroquois Mine, Norman Mine, Oliver Mine, Mesabi Mountain Mine, Missabe Mountain Mine, and the Union Mine.
Virginia is situated on the Mesabi Range, a sub-region of the Minnesota Iron Range, and part of what is known as the Quad Cities, which include Eveleth, Gilbert, and Mountain Iron, with Virginia serving as the commercial center of the Mesabi Range, featuring shopping venues, industries, schools, and medical facilities.
The Duluth & Iron Range Railroad was formed in 1872 to haul iron to the port of Two Harbors, Minnesota. Later renamed the Duluth, Missabe, and Northern Railway, a depot was established in Virginia by 1892, which later became the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway. The Great Northern Railroad had a depot in Virginia by 1916.
Businesses that were in operation in Virginia by the end of the 1890s included the Virginia Brewing Company, the Hotel Virginia, the Virginia Opera House, and Jackson and Company General Merchandise. By the early 1900s, the city included the Fay Hotel, the Lyric Theatre, the Virginia Lumber Company Sawmill, Virginia and Rainy Lake Company Sawmill, the Jenia Brothers Store, and Latz Brothers Dry Cleaners. By the 1940s, there was an iron ore crushing plant in Virginia.
By 1895, Virginia had a two-story public school with a bell tower. The three-story Roosevelt High School was in operation by 1909, Technical High School by 1915, and the city's schools were greatly expanded by the 1920s.
Fifteen buildings in the city are currently on the National Register of Historic Places, as is its downtown commercial district.
Virginia borders the cities of Mountain Iron to the west, Eveleth to the south, Gilbert to the east, and Wuori Township and the Superior National Forest to the north. Duluth is about sixty-five miles to the south-southeast.
Although the county seat of Saint Louis County is Duluth, Saint Louis is the only Minnesota county with courthouses in three different cities: Duluth, Hibbing, and Virginia. The city of Virginia has had a county courthouse since the early 1900s or earlier.
Virginia has several lakes and other bodies of water within its boundaries, including Bailey's Lake, Mud Lake, Silver Lake, and Virginia Lake, and well as the submerged Rouchleau Pit. A portion of the Pike River is in northeastern Virginia, and the East Two River begins at the outlet of Silver Lake in Virginia and flows southwest.
Parks within the city include Children's Memorial Park, City Park, Olcott Park, Rotary Park, Southside Park, and Veteran's Memorial Park.
The focus of this guide is on the city of Virginia, Minnesota. Websites representing the municipal government or any other government agencies or entities located in Virginia are appropriate for this category, as are local businesses, churches or other places of worship, schools, organizations, individuals, or events.
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Founded in 1905 by Christ, Gust, and Tom Canelake, as the Virginia Candy Kitchen, the business currently has four range stores, two in Hibbing and two in Virginia, Minnesota, once again in the Canelake family. Its locations, hours, and contacts are posted, and a catalog of the company’s products is featured, and purchases may be made online or at one of their stores, Photos are included.
http://www.canelakescandies.com/
The official municipal website offers information and schedules for city elections and voting, identifies the city council, commissions, and advisory boards, offers access to various forms and permit information, city clerk fee schedules, and other documents. A community calendar, and an overview of its economic development programs, bid announcements and proposals, and a guide to local schools, senior services, and recreational programs.
http://www.virginiamn.us/
Housing & Redevelopment Authority of Virginia, Minnesota
Organized in 1949, the VHRA is headed by five commissioners appointed by the mayor of Virginia, Minnesota, with a paid staff carrying out the day-to-day operations. Commission members are acknowledged and office numbers and hours are posted to the site. Market rate senior housing facilities are highlighted, along with senior and disabled preference public housing, and section 8 housing. Maintenance requests and employment opportunities are included.
http://www.vhra.org/
The family owned and operated hotel/motel is situated between two lakes, and near historic downtown Virginia, Minnesota. Several photos of representative rooms are displayed, along with its rates, a list of features and amenities, contacts information, and office hours. Located on North 6th Avenue, local attractions and recreational opportunities are highlighted, and motel policies are stated.
http://www.lakeshor.com/
Based in Virginia, Minnesota, the Mesabi Daily News offers both a paper and an online edition, both requiring a subscription. Without a subscription, readers may view selected news and sports items, obituaries, and a calendar of events, wedding, engagement, and other announcements, opinion columns, mining news, blogs, and advertisements. Advertising opportunities are featured, and news and announcements may be submitted to the site.
https://www.virginiamn.com/
Northern State Bank of Virginia
The locally owned bank is headquartered on Chestnut Street, with a branch office in the Super One South Grocery Store on 17th Street South, in Virginia, Minnesota. Its locations, lobby and drive-up hours, ATM machines, and contacts are posted and shown on a map. Its business and personal banking services are highlighted, and online banking is available. Employment opportunities are posted on the site.
https://www.nsbov.com/
Owned by RockStep Capital, the shopping mall is located on South 12th Avenue, Virginia, Minnesota. A directory of retailers, food outlets, and other businesses located in the mall is featured, including a diagram showing their locations, and links to their online shopping site, when available. A schedule of events is displayed, and information about the mall’s guest services and amenities is included.
https://thunderbirdmall.com/
The non-profit organization provides support for innovation and improvements for the Virginia, Minnesota community. Current charitable funds are highlighted, and information about direct contributions and endowments are put forth. A list of current donors is included, and a calendar of events is published to the site. Eligibility and guidelines for obtaining a grant are set, including a grant history, and an overview of the application process.
https://www.virginiafoundation.com/
Virginia Minnesota Public Schools
VMPS was founded in 1903, building on the work of prior Virginia schools that dated back to 1895. The district covers an area that includes all or part of the city of Virginia, Pike Township, Sandy Township, Wuori Township, the unorganized areas near Sand Lake, and a small part of the city of Mountain Iron, offering a PK-12th-grade curriculum through Parkview Learning Center (PK-2), Roosevelt Elementary School (3-6), and Virginia Secondary School (7-12),
http://www.vmps.org/
The Virginia Department of Public Utilities, owned by the city of Virginia, Minnesota, has been in operation since 1913, offering electricity and steam through its co-generating facility, water through its water treatment plant, and natural gas. Its steam conversion projects are highlighted, and its rates and procedures are set forth, online bill pay, access to various forms, and a history of the utility.
http://www.vpuc.com/