Brainerd, Minnesota
Brainerd | ||
|---|---|---|
 Northern Pacific Railroad Shops Historic District | ||
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FIPS code 27-07300 | | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394238[4] | |
| Website | Official website | |
Brainerd (
History
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2020) |
The area that is now Brainerd was formerly
In those early years, the relationship between the settlers and the Native Americans was fraught. The most famous example of this tenuous relationship was the "Blueberry War" of 1872. Two Ojibwe were hanged for allegedly murdering a missing girl. When a group of Ojibwe approached the town, troops from Fort Ripley were called to prevent a potential reprisal. As it turned out, the Ojibwe only wanted to sell blueberries and the settlers avoided a bloody misunderstanding. The guilt of the two Ojibwe was never proven.
Brainerd was the idea of
On January 11, 1876, the state legislature revoked Brainerd's charter for six years, in reaction to the election of local handyman Thomas Lanihan as mayor instead of Judge C.B. Sleeper. Brainerd functioned as a township in the interim.
In 1881, the railroad, and with it the town, expanded. Lumber and paper, as well as agriculture in general, were important early industries, but for many decades Brainerd remained a railroad town: in the 1920s roughly 90% of Brainerd residents were dependent on the railroad. Participation in the nationwide railroad strike on July 1, 1922, left most Brainerd residents unemployed and embittered many of those involved.
On October 27, 1933, the First National Bank of Brainerd became briefly famous when it was held up by Baby Face Nelson and his gang.
Over the years, increased efficiency and the better positioning of the more centralized Livingston, Montana, shops led to a decline in the importance of a railroad station that once employed over 1,000 and serviced locomotives for the whole Northern Pacific line. The BNSF Railway (successor to the Northern Pacific) continues to employ approximately 70 people in Brainerd at a maintenance-of-way equipment shop that repairs and maintains track and equipment. The former Northern Pacific railway station has been converted to breweries, coffee shops, and event centers available to rent for special occasions.
The Northwest Paper Company built Brainerd's first
Due to the many lakes in the area, Brainerd is a popular summertime destination for those owning cabins in the area, better known as the Brainerd Lakes. Brainerd itself is now heavily developed into commercial and residential areas and has seen an uptick in development in recent years.
Geography
Brainerd is just north of Minnesota's geographical center, in a relatively hilly terminal moraine area created by the Superior Lobe of the Labradorian ice sheet. The town occupies land on both sides of the Mississippi River, though its older parts are almost all to the east.
Though the city itself has relatively few lakes, there are over 460 lakes within 25 miles (40 km) of Brainerd, mostly to the north. For this reason, Crow Wing County and parts of the adjoining counties are often collectively called the Brainerd Lakes Area despite most of the lakes existing closer to Nisswa.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 12.66 square miles (32.79 km2), of which 11.91 square miles (30.85 km2) is land and 0.73 square miles (1.89 km2) is water.[10]
Brainerd has been assigned
Climate
Brainerd has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with vast seasonal differences. Summers are warm, and occasionally hot, with high humidity, whereas winters are often severely cold.
| Climate data for Brainerd, Minnesota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1899–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 56 (13) |
60 (16) |
80 (27) |
94 (34) |
101 (38) |
100 (38) |
106 (41) |
102 (39) |
103 (39) |
89 (32) |
75 (24) |
61 (16) |
106 (41) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 41.7 (5.4) |
45.1 (7.3) |
60.9 (16.1) |
76.3 (24.6) |
86.6 (30.3) |
90.6 (32.6) |
91.2 (32.9) |
89.7 (32.1) |
85.9 (29.9) |
77.6 (25.3) |
58.9 (14.9) |
43.0 (6.1) |
93.5 (34.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 19.6 (−6.9) |
25.4 (−3.7) |
38.4 (3.6) |
53.0 (11.7) |
66.6 (19.2) |
75.8 (24.3) |
80.1 (26.7) |
78.4 (25.8) |
69.9 (21.1) |
55.2 (12.9) |
38.3 (3.5) |
24.8 (−4.0) |
52.1 (11.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 8.8 (−12.9) |
13.2 (−10.4) |
26.6 (−3.0) |
40.9 (4.9) |
54.7 (12.6) |
64.6 (18.1) |
68.9 (20.5) |
66.7 (19.3) |
58.1 (14.5) |
44.5 (6.9) |
29.6 (−1.3) |
16.1 (−8.8) |
41.1 (5.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −2.0 (−18.9) |
0.9 (−17.3) |
14.8 (−9.6) |
28.8 (−1.8) |
42.8 (6.0) |
53.3 (11.8) |
57.8 (14.3) |
55.0 (12.8) |
46.2 (7.9) |
33.8 (1.0) |
20.8 (−6.2) |
7.4 (−13.7) |
30.0 (−1.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −27.0 (−32.8) |
−21.4 (−29.7) |
−10.5 (−23.6) |
15.1 (−9.4) |
29.2 (−1.6) |
40.2 (4.6) |
46.4 (8.0) |
43.9 (6.6) |
31.0 (−0.6) |
19.9 (−6.7) |
2.3 (−16.5) |
−18.2 (−27.9) |
−29.8 (−34.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −48 (−44) |
−54 (−48) |
−35 (−37) |
−12 (−24) |
16 (−9) |
30 (−1) |
36 (2) |
29 (−2) |
18 (−8) |
4 (−16) |
−24 (−31) |
−43 (−42) |
−54 (−48) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.80 (20) |
0.78 (20) |
1.47 (37) |
2.54 (65) |
3.93 (100) |
4.64 (118) |
4.37 (111) |
3.59 (91) |
3.00 (76) |
2.98 (76) |
1.49 (38) |
1.04 (26) |
30.63 (778) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 10.0 (25) |
8.3 (21) |
9.2 (23) |
4.3 (11) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.7 (1.8) |
5.7 (14) |
10.0 (25) |
48.2 (122) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.5 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 9.2 | 12.5 | 13.0 | 11.6 | 10.1 | 10.4 | 9.9 | 7.1 | 8.5 | 113.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 6.1 | 5.0 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 6.7 | 26.8 |
| Source: | |||||||||||||
Superfund site and environmental damage
The
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 1,865 | — | |
| 1890 | 5,703 | 205.8% | |
| 1900 | 7,524 | 31.9% | |
| 1910 | 8,526 | 13.3% | |
| 1920 | 9,591 | 12.5% | |
| 1930 | 10,221 | 6.6% | |
| 1940 | 12,071 | 18.1% | |
| 1950 | 12,087 | 0.1% | |
| 1960 | 12,898 | 6.7% | |
| 1970 | 11,667 | −9.5% | |
| 1980 | 11,489 | −1.5% | |
| 1990 | 12,353 | 7.5% | |
| 2000 | 13,178 | 6.7% | |
| 2010 | 13,590 | 3.1% | |
| 2020 | 14,395 | 5.9% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 14,580 | [6] | 1.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] 2020 Census[5] | |||
2020 census
As of the
2010 census
As of the
There were 5,851 households, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.7% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.5% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.92.
The median age in the city was 32.2 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 20.5% were from 45 to 64, and 15.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
2000 census
As of the
There were 5,623 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.0% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.94.
Age distribution was 25.1% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.4 males.
The
Arts and culture
The Brainerd Lakes Area has a classical music festival during the summers called Lakes Area Music Festival.[16] According to its website, the festival's mission is to connect the nation’s best performers and audiences through excellent classical music and inspiring education. There are educational programs for children in the area with musicians from across the world and high-caliber concerts that are free to the public. The Lakes Area Music Festival, through its Outreach initiative, brings classical music into areas that normally do not get concerts.
Among these are public libraries, women’s shelters, and correctional facilities. The program is supported by many local and national organizations, as well as people in the community.[17]
Education
Brainerd Public Schools is the local school district.
Brainerd High School is the local high school.
Media
Radio stations and television channels in the Brainerd Lakes area:
Radio
AM radio stations
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner |
| 1270 | WWWI | Talk 100 | News/Talk | R & J Broadcasting, Inc. |
| 1340 | KVBR | Brainerd Business Radio | News/Talk | Hubbard Broadcasting |
| 1380 | KLIZ | 1380 The Fan | Sports | |
FM radio stations
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner |
| 88.3 | KBPN |
MPR News | NPR | Minnesota Public Radio |
| 88.7 | K204ES (KAWZ Translator) |
CSN International | Christian | CSN International |
| 89.3 | KOPJ | LifeTalk Radio | Christian | Seventh-day Adventist Church |
| 89.9 | K210DR (KAXE Translator) |
Northern Community Radio | Public radio |
Northern Community Radio |
| 90.7 | KBPR |
Classical MPR | Classical |
Minnesota Public Radio |
| 93.3 | KBLB | B93.3 | Country | Hubbard Broadcasting |
| 95.9 | WWWI | Cash 95.9 | Country/Adult Standard | R & J Broadcasting, Inc. |
| 96.3 | W242DB (WWWI-AM Translator) |
Talk 100 | News/Talk | |
| 100.1 | KLKS | |||
| 101.5 | KFGI | Skeeter 101-5 | Adult Hits
| |
| 102.7 | KTIG | The Word | Christian | Minnesota Christian Broadcasters |
| 103.5 | KUAL | Cool 103.5 | Oldies | Hubbard Broadcasting |
| 104.3 | WZFJ | The Pulse | Christian | Minnesota Christian Broadcasters |
| 106.7 | WJJY | Adult contemporary | Hubbard Broadcasting | |
| 107.5 | KLIZ | The Power Loon | Classic rock | |
Television
| Channel | Callsign | Affiliation | Branding | Subchannels | Owner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Virtual) | Channel | Programming | ||||
| 16.1 | K16BQ (KSAX Translator) |
ABC | 5 Eyewitness News | 16.2 16.3 |
45TV MeTV |
Hubbard Broadcasting |
| 26.1 | K20NH-D (KMSP Translator) |
FOX | FOX 9 | 26.2 26.3 |
FOX9+ Movies! |
Fox Television Stations, Inc. |
| 22.1 | KAWB
|
PBS | Lakeland PBS | 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 |
First Nations Experience PBS Kids Create PBS Encore Minnesota Channel |
Northern Minnesota Public Television, Inc. |
Infrastructure
Major highways
The following routes are in the Brainerd area:
Minnesota State Highway 18
Minnesota State Highway 25
Minnesota State Highway 210
Minnesota State Highway 371
Notable people
- Solomon Flagg Alderman (1861-1928), Minnesota state senator and lawyer[18]
- John Carlton Atherton (1900–1952), artist
- Roger Awsumb (1928–2002), TV and radio show host
- Win Borden (1943–2014), Minnesota state senator[19]
- Bullet Joe Bush (1892–1974), member of the New York Yankees' first World Series championship team in 1923
- Franklin E. Ebner, Minnesota state senator and lawyer[20]
- Ronald Everson (born 1930), member of the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 1960s[21]
- Joe Haeg (born 1993), professional football player
- Frank B. Johnson (1894–1949), mayor of Brainerd and Minnesota state representative[22]
- Brock Larson (born 1977), MMA fighter
- Charles Marohn (born 1973), author and founder of Strong Towns
- Rick Nolan (born 1943), U.S. Representative
- Todd Revenig, professional baseball player
- Hilding Alfred Swanson (1885–1964), Minnesota state legislator and lawyer[23]
- Dale Walz (born 1964), Minnesota state representative and police officer[24]
In popular culture
The 1996 film Fargo was set partly in Brainerd.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "History Notes". The City of Brainerd. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
- ^ "StaffDirectory". The City of Brainerd. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Brainerd, Minnesota
- ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
- ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022". United States Census Bureau. June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ a b "For Pete's sake, 'Fargo' is overrated". Brainerd Dispatch. March 16, 2006. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 156.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ^ "Station: Brainerd, MN". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ^ "Burlington Northern (Brainerd/Baxter) Fact Sheet" Archived December 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, EPA, July 13, 2012
- ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census: Brainerd city, Minnesota". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
- ^ "Lakes Area Music Festival". Lakes Area Music Festival Website. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ "Lakes Area Music Festival". Lakes Area Music Festival Sponsors. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
- ^ Minnesota Legislatorrs: Past & Present-Solomon Flaff Alderman
- ^ "Borden, Winston W. "Win"". state.mn.us. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ^ Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present=Franklin E. Ebner
- ^ "Everson, Ronald A. "Ron" - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present".
- ^ "Johnson, Frank B." state.mn.us. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ^ Minnesota Lehislators: Past & Present-Hilding Alfred Swanson
- ^ Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present-Dale Walz
External links
- City of Brainerd, MN – Official Website
- Brainerd History site
- Explore Brainerd Lakes.com – Visitor Information and official Chamber website
- Brainerd.com - The Official Brainerd Lakes Area Tourism Information Website
Municipalities and communities of Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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† indicates a county seat. ‡ indicates that it is partially in the micropolitan area. § indicates a CDP. | |||||
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