Editing Akeley, Minnesota

{{short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Akeley
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "In The Heart Of Minnesota's Vacation And Recreational Area"<ref name="City of Akeley Minnesota">{{cite web|url=http://www.akeleymn.com/city.htm |title=City of Akeley Minnesota |publisher=City of Akeley Minnesota |accessdate=October 16, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126131331/http://www.akeleymn.com/city.htm |archivedate=January 26, 2012 }}</ref>
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Akeley-Minnesota-Paul-Bunyan.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Paul Bunyan and cradle
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Hubbard_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Akeley_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Akeley, Minnesota
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Minnesota]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Hubbard County, Minnesota|Hubbard]]
<!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3        = December 30, 1916
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 3.87
|area_land_km2            = 3.80
|area_water_km2           = 0.07
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.49
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.47
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.03
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 404
|population_density_km2   = 106.19
|population_density_sq_mi = 275.02
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 436
|elevation_ft             = 1430
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|0|6|N|94|43|41|W|region:US-MN|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 56433
|area_code                = [[Area code 218|218]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-00496<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0655094<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.akeleymn.com|akeleymn.com}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Akeley''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|eɪ|k|l|i}} {{respell|AYK-lee}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |title=Minnesota Pronunciation Guide |website=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=July 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722194213/http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |archive-date=July 22, 2011 }}</ref> is a city in [[Hubbard County, Minnesota|Hubbard County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. The population was 404 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2749768 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 23, 2022}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Akeley Paul Bunyan Historical Museum-closeup.jpg|thumb|left|Akeley Paul Bunyan Historical Museum]]The city of Akeley was incorporated on December 30, 1916. It was largely developed by a partnership between [[lumber]] magnate [[T. B. Walker]] and Healy C. Akeley, who formed the Red River Lumber Company in 1893.<ref name=MNHS>{{cite web|author=Peterson, David B. (processor)|url=http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00093.xml#a2|title=Biographies of the Walker Family in T. B. Walker and Family Papers|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|accessdate=November 2, 2007<!-- November 26, 2009 -->|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121122855/http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00093.xml#a2|archive-date=November 21, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/sketchesoflifeof00walk#page/n29/mode/2up Sketches of the life of Honorable T. B. Walker. A compilation of biographical sketches<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> General settlement of Akeley began in 1895. After Walker built a sawmill in 1902, Akeley's development skyrocketed. The mill was once the largest in the state of Minnesota.<ref name="akeleyminnesota.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.akeleyminnesota.com/organizations/museum/museum.htm |title=Akeley Paul Bunyan Historical Society Museum<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=June 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609215052/http://www.akeleyminnesota.com/organizations/museum/museum.htm |archive-date=June 9, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Thomas B. Walker had intended to build the mill in what would later become [[Walker, Minnesota]], but chose Akeley instead because of his wife's disapproval of the bars and brothels in the Walker area.<ref>[[Walker, Minnesota]]</ref>

Because of the mill, and the train depot built in 1899, Akeley became a [[boomtown]].<ref>[http://www.lakesnwoods.com/Akeley.htm Akeley, Minnesota City Guide<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Lumberjacks came and went on every freight train. The population swelled from 2,000 to over 3,500 between 1907 and 1908.<ref name="akeleyminnesota.com"/> Now the town has fewer than 500 residents.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.50|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|1.47|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=November 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archivedate=January 25, 2012 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 855
|1930= 514
|1940= 566
|1950= 525
|1960= 434
|1970= 468
|1980= 486
|1990= 393
|2000= 412
|2010= 432
|2020= 404
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=November 13, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 432 people, 185 households, and 113 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|293.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 242 housing units at an average density of {{convert|164.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 1.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 185 households, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 11.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 41 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 to 44; 29% were from 45 to 64; and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 412 people, 179 households, and 119 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|277.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 234 housing units at an average density of {{convert|157.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 96.60% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 2.67% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.49% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.24% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]]. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.21% of the population. 47.4% were of [[Germans|German]], 13.5% [[Norwegians|Norwegian]], 6.2% [[French people|French]], 5.9% [[Irish people|Irish]], 5.3% [[Finns|Finnish]] and 5.3% [[Swedish people|Swedish]].

There were 179 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 27.9% of all households was made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,719, and the median income for a family was $33,611. Males had a median income of $26,023 versus $19,063 for females.   About 17.2% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.8% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==

===Annual cultural events===
Akeley has been celebrating "Paul Bunyan Days" since 1955, and the town hosts a {{convert|25|ft|m|adj=on}} tall statue of a kneeling [[Paul Bunyan]] next to a giant cradle.<ref>http://www.roadtripamerica.com/roadside/Minnesota-Akeley-Paul-Bunyan.htm  http://www.akeleyminnesota.com/news_events/PBD06.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928181046/http://www.akeleyminnesota.com/news_events/PBD06.htm |date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> Akeley is also home to the Paul Bunyan Historical Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.akeleyminnesota.com/organizations/museum/museum.htm |title=Akeley Paul Bunyan Historical Society Museum |access-date=June 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609215052/http://www.akeleyminnesota.com/organizations/museum/museum.htm |archive-date=June 9, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Museums and other points of interest===
The Akeley Paul Bunyan Historical Museum opened in 1984 and contains a collection of pictures and artifacts detailing the early history of the community.<ref name="City of Akeley Minnesota"/>

==Parks and recreation==
The [[Heartland State Trail]] is forty-nine miles long and connects the communities of Park Rapids, Dorset, Nevis, Akeley, Walker and Cass Lake. There is an alternative trail that runs alongside the paved trail for horseback riding and snowmobile runs.<ref name="City of Akeley Minnesota"/>

==Education==
Akeley Public Schools are part of the [[Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District]]. Schools in the district include Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Elementary School and [[Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School]] (WHA).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wha.k12.mn.us/|title= Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District|publisher= Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District |accessdate= October 16, 2012}}</ref> The Walker-Hackensack-Akeley district was formed by the 1990 consolidation of the Walker and Akeley districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/issinfo/schdistcon.aspx?src=34|title=School District Consolidations|publisher=[[Minnesota House of Representatives]]|accessdate=August 11, 2021}}</ref>

Dr. Mary Donohue Stetz is the Superintendent of Schools.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.wha.k12.mn.us/|title= Walker Hackensack Akeley Schools|publisher= Walker Hackensack Akeley Schools |accessdate=June 26, 2012}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
Minnesota State Highways [[Minnesota State Highway 34|34]] and [[Minnesota State Highway 64|64]] are two of the main arterial routes in the community.

<gallery widths=180>
Welcome sign, Akeley, Minnesota.jpg|Welcome sign
Fire department, Akeley, Minnesota.jpg|Fire department
Post Office, Akeley, Minnesota.jpg|Post Office
Businesses, Lake County Scenic Byway at Graceson Avenue, south side, Akeley, Minnesota.jpg|Lake County Scenic Byway at Graceson Avenue, south side
Businesses, Lake County Scenic Byway at Graceson Avenue, north side, Akeley, Minnesota.jpg|Lake County Scenic Byway at Graceson Avenue, north side
Businesses, Lake County Scenic Byway at Hulet Avenue, Akeley, Minnesota.jpg|Lake County Scenic Byway at Hulet Avenue
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Akeley, Minnesota}}
*[http://www.akeleyminnesota.com/ Akeley official website]

{{Hubbard County, Minnesota}}
{{authority control}}
{{coord|47|00|15|N|94|43|37|W|type:city_region:US-MN|display=title}}

[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Hubbard County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Company towns in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1916]]
[[Category:1916 establishments in Minnesota]]