Brainerd, Minnesota

Brainerd is a city in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was 13,592 as of the 2010 census.[5] It is the county seat of Crow Wing County,[6] and is one of the largest cities in Northern Minnesota. Brainerd straddles the Mississippi River several miles upstream from its confluence with the Crow Wing River, having been founded as a site for a railroad crossing above the confluence. Brainerd is the principal city of the Brainerd Micropolitan Area, a micropolitan area covering Cass and Crow Wing counties and with a combined population of 91,067 as of the 2010 census. The Brainerd area serves as a major tourist destination for Minnesota.

Brainerd
City
Seal
Location within Crow Wing County
Brainerd
Location within Minnesota
Brainerd
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 46°21′29″N 94°12′03″W
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyCrow Wing
Founded1870
Incorporated1873
Government
 • MayorDave Badeaux
Area
 • Total12.85 sq mi (33.28 km2)
 • Land12.16 sq mi (31.49 km2)
 • Water0.69 sq mi (1.79 km2)  5.78%
Elevation
1,217 ft (371 m)
Population
 • Total13,590
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
13,434
 • Density1,104.95/sq mi (426.63/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (Central)
ZIP code
56401
Area code(s)218
FIPS code27-07300
GNIS feature ID0640426[4]
Websitewww.ci.brainerd.mn.us

Brainerd contains one of five medevac helicopter flight stations in the state for "AirCare," operated by North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, a Level 1 Trauma Center. This station covers the central part of Minnesota. The city contains the Brainerd International Raceway, which hosts races throughout the year, including a national drag racing meet each August.

History

The area that is now Brainerd was traditionally territory inhabited by the Ojibwe. Brainerd was first seen by European settlers on Christmas Day in 1805, when Zebulon Pike stopped there while searching for the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Crow Wing Village, a fur and logging community near Fort Ripley, brought settlers to the area in the mid-19th century.

In those early years, the relationship between the settlers and the Native Americans was complicated. The most famous example of this tenuous relationship was the so-called "Blueberry War" of 1872. Two Ojibwe were hanged for allegedly murdering a missing girl. When a group of Native Americans approached the town, troops from nearby Fort Ripley were called to prevent a potential reprisal. As it turned out, however, the Ojibwe only wanted to sell blueberries and the settlers avoided a bloody misunderstanding. The guilt of the two Native Americans was never proven.

The water tower along
Minnesota Highway 210 in downtown Brainerd serves as a symbol of the community and appears on the city's seal.

Brainerd was the idea of Northern Pacific railroad president John Gregory Smith, who in 1870 named the township after his wife, Anne Eliza Brainerd Smith, and father-in-law, Lawrence Brainerd. The company built a bridge over the Mississippi seven miles north of Crow Wing Village and used the Brainerd station as a machine and car shop, prompting many to move north and abandon Crow Wing. Brainerd was organized as a city on March 6, 1873.[7]

On January 11, 1876, the state legislature revoked Brainerd's charter for six years, as a 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 percent of Brainerd residents were dependent on the railroad. Participation in the nationwide railroad strike on July 1, 1922, left the majority of 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 1000 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 responsible for performing repairs and preventive maintenance to track and equipment. The former Northern Pacific railway station has now been converted to breweries, coffee shops, and event centers available to rent for special occasions.

The Northwest Paper Company built Brainerd's first paper mill in 1903 and with the steady increase in tourism since the early 20th century the paper and service industries have become Brainerd's primary employers. The town's coating mill was sold by Potlatch to Missota Paper in 2003 and then by Missota Paper to Wausau Paper in 2004. It is now used as a small industrial center called Brainerd Industrial Center (BIC).

Due to the many lakes in the area, Brainerd had become 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 located just north of the geographical center of Minnesota 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 the older parts of Brainerd 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, located mostly to the north. For this reason, Crow Wing County and parts of the adjoining counties are often collectively referred to as the Brainerd Lakes Area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.64 square miles (32.74 km2), of which 11.91 square miles (30.85 km2) is land and 0.73 square miles (1.89 km2) is water.[8]

Brainerd has been assigned ZIP code 56401 by the USPS.

Brainerd has many trees and forests around the area, including Crow Wing State Park.

Crow Wing State Park

Major highways

The following routes are located in the Brainerd area.

Climate

Brainerd has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with vast seasonal differences. Summers are warm and occasionally hot, whereas winters are often severely cold.

Climate data for Brainerd, Minnesota 1981–2010 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 56
(13)		 57
(14)		 78
(26)		 94
(34)		 95
(35)		 100
(38)		 102
(39)		 100
(38)		 96
(36)		 88
(31)		 73
(23)		 60
(16)		 102
(39)
Average high °F (°C) 20.4
(−6.4)		 26.2
(−3.2)		 38.3
(3.5)		 54.5
(12.5)		 67.4
(19.7)		 75.7
(24.3)		 80.5
(26.9)		 78.7
(25.9)		 69.0
(20.6)		 55.4
(13.0)		 38.0
(3.3)		 23.7
(−4.6)		 52.3
(11.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 8.3
(−13.2)		 13.5
(−10.3)		 26.6
(−3.0)		 41.7
(5.4)		 54.9
(12.7)		 64.1
(17.8)		 68.7
(20.4)		 66.5
(19.2)		 56.6
(13.7)		 43.9
(6.6)		 28.8
(−1.8)		 13.9
(−10.1)		 40.6
(4.8)
Average low °F (°C) −3.7
(−19.8)		 0.9
(−17.3)		 14.8
(−9.6)		 29
(−2)		 42.4
(5.8)		 52.4
(11.3)		 57.0
(13.9)		 54.3
(12.4)		 44.2
(6.8)		 32.5
(0.3)		 19.5
(−6.9)		 4.1
(−15.5)		 28
(−2)
Record low °F (°C) −48
(−44)		 −54
(−48)		 −33
(−36)		 −12
(−24)		 16
(−9)		 32
(0)		 36
(2)		 29
(−2)		 18
(−8)		 4
(−16)		 −24
(−31)		 −43
(−42)		 −54
(−48)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.77
(20)		 0.67
(17)		 1.52
(39)		 2.35
(60)		 3.37
(86)		 4.39
(112)		 3.78
(96)		 3.07
(78)		 3.18
(81)		 2.93
(74)		 1.54
(39)		 0.81
(21)		 28.38
(723)
Source: https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dlh

Superfund site and environmental damage

The Burlington Northern (Brainerd/Baxter) United States Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site is located on the boundary between the cities of Brainerd and Baxter. The site served as a Burlington Northern Railroad tie treatment plant, between the years of 1907 and 1985. During that time, wastewater generated from the wood-treating process was sent to two shallow, unlined ponds. This created a toxic sludge that contaminated both the underlying soils and the groundwater with creosote and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).[9]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18801,865—
18905,703205.8%
19007,52431.9%
19108,52613.3%
19209,59112.5%
193010,2216.6%
194012,07118.1%
195012,0870.1%
196012,8986.7%
197011,667−9.5%
198011,489−1.5%
199012,3537.5%
200013,1786.7%
201013,5903.1%
2019 (est.)13,434[3]−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 13,590 people, 5,851 households, and 3,069 families living in the city. The population density was 1,141.1 inhabitants per square mile (440.6/km2). There were 6,390 housing units at an average density of 536.5 per square mile (207.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 1.2% African American, 1.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

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

At the 2000 census, there were 13,178 people, 5,623 households and 3,036 families living in the city. The population density was 1,652.8 per square mile (638.4/km2). There were 5,847 housing units at an average density of 733.3 per square mile (283.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.83% White, 0.71% African American, 1.44% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.86% of the population. 31.4% were of German, 28.1% were Finnish, 17.7% Norwegian, 7.1% Swedish, 6.8% Irish, and 6.1% United States or American ancestry.

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 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.4 males.

The median household income was $26,901, and the median family income was $35,212. Males had a median income of $27,677 versus $21,217 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,744. About 11.8% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.

Media

Radio stations and television channels in the Brainerd Lakes area:

Radio
AM radio stations
Frequency Call sign Name Format Owner
1270WWWITalk 100News/TalkR & J Broadcasting, Inc.
1340KVBRBrainerd Business RadioNews/TalkHubbard Broadcasting
1380KLIZ1380 The FanSportsHubbard Broadcasting
FM radio stations
Frequency Call sign Name Format Owner
88.3KBPNMPR NewsNPRMinnesota Public Radio
88.7K204ES
(KAWZ Translator)		CSN InternationalChristianCSN International
89.3KOPJLifeTalk RadioChristianSeventh-day Adventist Church
89.9K210DR
(KAXE Translator)		Northern Community RadioPublic radioNorthern Community Radio
90.7KBPRClassical MPRClassicalMinnesota Public Radio
93.3KBLBB93.3CountryHubbard Broadcasting
95.9WWWICash 95.9Country/Adult StandardR & J Broadcasting, Inc.
96.3W242DB
(WWWI-AM Translator)		Talk 100News/TalkR & J Broadcasting, Inc.
100.1KLKSTalk 100News/TalkR & J Broadcasting, Inc.
101.5KFGISkeeter 101-5Adult HitsR & J Broadcasting, Inc.
102.7KTIGThe WordChristianMinnesota Christian Broadcasters
103.5KUALCool 103.5OldiesHubbard Broadcasting
104.3WZFJThe PulseChristianMinnesota Christian Broadcasters
106.7WJJYAdult contemporaryHubbard Broadcasting
107.5KLIZThe Power LoonClassic rockHubbard Broadcasting

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.

Culture

The Brainerd Lakes Area has a classical music festival during the summers called Lakes Area Music Festival.[11] The mission of the Lakes Area Music Festival, from their website, is as follows: The Lakes Area Music Festival connects 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 which 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. This program is supported by Arts Midwest, The Athwin Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, The Five Wings Arts Council and many other local and national organizations, as well as people living in the community. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]

Though it takes its title from the nearby city in North Dakota, the Coen brothers' 1996 film Fargo was set partly in Brainerd. However, production took place throughout the Twin Cities area with Hallock, Minnesota substituting for Brainerd.[18]

Notable people

Points of interest
Brainerd International Raceway

See also

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 156.
  8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  9. "Burlington Northern (Brainerd/Baxter) Fact Sheet" Archived December 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, EPA, 07/13/12
  10. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  11. "Lakes Area Music Festival". Lakes Area Music Festival Website. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  12. "Lakes Area Music Festival". Lakes Area Music Festival Sponsors. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  13. "Arts Midwest". Arts Midwest Website. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  14. "Athwin Foundation". Athwin Foundation Website. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  15. "National Endowment for the Arts". National Endowment for the Arts Website. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  16. "Brainerd Lakes Area Community Fund". Brainerd Lakes Area Community Fund Website. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  17. "Five Wings Art Council". Five Wings Art Council Website. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  18. "Death in the snow". The Guardian. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  19. "Borden, Winston W. "Win"". state.mn.us. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  20. "Johnson, Frank B." state.mn.us. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
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