Editing Cass Lake, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{About|the city|the lake|Cass Lake (Minnesota)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Cass Lake
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

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|image_skyline            = File:Cass Lake, Minnesota-09.jpg
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|image_map                = Cass_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Cass_Lake_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Cass Lake<br>within Cass County, Minnesota
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|mapsize1                 = 
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<!-- 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        = [[Cass County, Minnesota|Cass]]

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|leader_name              = 
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<!-- Area -->
|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_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 2.83
|area_land_km2            = 2.82
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.09
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.09
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 675
|population_density_sq_mi = 619.27
|population_density_km2   = 239.01
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<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = &minus;6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = &minus;5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1335
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|22|38|N|94|36|00|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 56633
|area_code                = [[Area code 218|218]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-10252
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2393767<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2393767}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://ci.casslake.mn.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Cass Lake''' is a city in [[Cass County, Minnesota|Cass County]], [[Minnesota]], United States, located within the boundaries of the [[Leech Lake Indian Reservation]].  It is surrounded by [[Pike Bay Township, Cass County, Minnesota|Pike Bay Township]]. Cass Lake had a population of 675 in the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020-census-2710252" /> It is notable as the headquarters location of [[Minnesota Chippewa Tribe]] and [[Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe]], as well as the [[Chippewa National Forest]].

The city is located on the shore of its namesake [[Cass Lake (Minnesota)|Cass Lake]], which was named in honor of Michigan Governor [[Lewis Cass]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n70 71]}}</ref>

Cass Lake is part of the [[Brainerd, Minnesota|Brainerd]] [[Brainerd micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].  It reached its peak of population of over 2,100 in 1920.  Since 1950, the combination of decline of small town retailers, suburbanization, and decreased employment in forest industries have resulted in steadily decreasing population.

==Economy==
[[Forest product]]s have historically been an important part of the local economy. The Glenmont Lumber Company opened a sawmill in the autumn of 1898, followed by Scanlon-Gipson Lumber Company opening a [[planing mill]] in the summer of 1899.  Both operated until the sawmill burnt in 1902. The Julius Neils Lumber Company opened a 30 mft sawmill, planing mill, and 8 mft lath mill in May 1900, operating until 1923. The Northern Pine Crating Co. opened a wooden box factory in the autumn of 1907, operating until the mill burned c.1950.

Wheeler Lumber Bridge and Supply Co. opened a post-peeling plant in 1949, followed by a wood-treating plant in 1951. This facility was expanded in 1959 and 1971. Wheeler was purchased by [[St. Regis Paper Company]] in 1968; St. Regis later purchased a sawmill as well Frank's Mill (opened 1939). After the purchase of St. Regis by Champion International in 1985, the corporation closed the facility. The sawmill was purchased by Cass Forest Products and continues to operate (as of 2010).

[[Tourism]] has been an increasingly important component of the local economy since the earliest days of the community. Numerous resorts and campgrounds in the area cater to [[recreational fishing|sport fishing]], [[hunting]], [[camping]], and [[watersports]]. Due to the cold winters, tourism is highly seasonal.

[[File:Photograph of Supervisor's Building at Cass Lake, Minnesota - DPLA - e7f5957d719e898840e5345b3d7b46be.jpg|thumb|Forest Supervisor's Office, 1953]]The [[Federal government of the United States|Federal Government]] has been an important local employer since 1902, when the [[Chippewa National Forest|Minnesota Forest Reserve]] was established. Cass Lake was selected as the location of the Forest Supervisor's Office. Following passage of the Emergency Conservation Work Act of 1933 and establishment of the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]], Cass Lake was the headquarters for the Chippewa Sub-District, responsible for management of over a dozen camps. Among the CCC projects completed in Cass Lake were the monumental log-construction Forest Supervisor's Office (1936) and establishment of the Lydick Nursery (1934), which produced millions of seedlings for reforestation work.

In 1922, the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] established the Consolidated Chippewa Agency to serve all the Ojibwe tribes in Minnesota, with the exception of [[Red Lake Indian Reservation|Red Lake]]. It selected Cass Lake as its headquarters. Later, the [[Indian Health Service]] opened a hospital and clinic (1937) to serve the Leech Lake Indian Reservation.

Following passage of the [[Indian Reorganization Act]] of 1934 and establishment of the [[Minnesota Chippewa Tribe]], tribal headquarters were located in Cass Lake. Cass Lake is also location of the headquarters of the [[Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe]], which operates the [[Cedar Lakes Casino]].

There are a variety of small businesses that keep the Cass Lake economy thriving.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.casslake.com/|title=Discover Cass Lake {{!}} Area Chamber of Commerce|website=Discover Cass Lake {{!}} Area Chamber of Commerce|language=en|access-date=2020-01-30}}</ref>

==Education==
Cass Lake is located in Independent School District 115 ([[Cass Lake-Bena School District]]).  Cass Lake–Bena Elementary School is located within the city limits, while Cass Lake–Bena High School and Middle School are located approximately one mile south of town. Elementary school classes began in 1899 and the high school opened in 1904.

Students also attend the [[Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School]] in an area near [[Bena, Minnesota|Bena]], a [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]]-funded elementary and secondary school established in 1975.

[[Leech Lake Tribal College]], a two-year [[Tribal colleges and universities|tribal college]], is located approximately {{convert|3|mi|km}} northwest of town.

==History==
The area was inhabited for thousands of years by succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples. In historic times, the Ojibwe/Chippewa moved west and south from the Great Lakes region, settling across present-day Minnesota.

The village was established in 1898 with the construction of the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great North Railway]]. The post office was originally established as 'Tuller' in December 1898, named after the brother-in-law of the first postmaster. When this was known, residents quickly lodged protests with the Postmaster General and by the end of March 1899, it was renamed 'Cass Lake'.

The forest industry has historically supplied many jobs, but has been susceptible to boom-and-bust cycle. Between 1898 and 1923, the city was dependent on lumber mills utilizing pine from the surrounding forests. Depletion of the pine resource was followed by utilization of lower value species at a box factory which operated until 1950, and a wood treatment plant operated by Wheeler Lumber between 1949 and 1985. From 1983 until 2009, Potlatch Corporation and its successor Ainsworth operated an oriented strand board plant in nearby Farden Township, which provided employment to many residents. Cass Forest Products, an employee-owned company, operates a sawmill that has been in operation since 1939, and is one of the largest forest product producers in Minnesota. The former wood-treating plant operated by Wheeler Lumber within the city limits has been designated a Federal [[Superfund (environmental law)|Superfund]] site, due to soil and groundwater contamination by the wood treating compounds creosote, pentachlorophenol, and ammoniacal copper arsenate.

From 1911-1919, the Cass Lake Boarding School, a [[American Indian boarding schools|Native American residential school]], operated in Cass Lake.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interactive Digital Map of Indian Boarding Schools |url=https://boardingschoolhealing.org/digitalmap/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition |language=en-US}}</ref> The school opened with the capacity for 50 students.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lajimodiere |first=Dr Denise K. |date=2016-06-14 |title=The sad legacy of American Indian boarding schools in Minnesota and the U.S. |url=http://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2016/06/sad-legacy-american-indian-boarding-schools-minnesota-and-us/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2003, [[Elaine Fleming]] was the first [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] to be elected as mayor of the town.<ref name="nation">&mdash;, "Progressive City Leaders", ''[[The Nation (U.S. periodical)|The Nation]]'', June 18, 2005, pp. 18-19.</ref>

==Geography and climate==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.09|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.<ref name="gaz2020">{{cite web|title=2020 Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.2020.html |website=census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=18 July 2022}}</ref>

Cass Lake has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen Climate Classification]] Dfb), with warm summers and long, cold winters.

{{Weather box 
|location = Cass Lake, Minnesota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1911–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 56
|Feb record high F = 60
|Mar record high F = 74
|Apr record high F = 96
|May record high F = 95
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 104
|Aug record high F = 101
|Sep record high F = 98
|Oct record high F = 92
|Nov record high F = 75
|Dec record high F = 58
|year record high F = 104
|Jan high F = 17.8
|Feb high F = 23.6
|Mar high F = 37.0
|Apr high F = 51.0
|May high F = 65.0
|Jun high F = 74.5
|Jul high F = 79.1
|Aug high F = 77.3
|Sep high F = 68.0
|Oct high F = 52.3
|Nov high F = 35.9
|Dec high F = 22.9
|year high F = 50.4
|Jan mean F = 7.1
|Feb mean F = 11.6
|Mar mean F = 25.8
|Apr mean F = 40.0
|May mean F = 53.6
|Jun mean F = 63.9
|Jul mean F = 68.5
|Aug mean F = 66.6
|Sep mean F = 57.4
|Oct mean F = 43.0
|Nov mean F = 27.7
|Dec mean F = 14.2
|year mean F = 39.9
|Jan low F = −3.6
|Feb low F = −0.4
|Mar low F = 14.5
|Apr low F = 28.9
|May low F = 42.3
|Jun low F = 53.4
|Jul low F = 58.0
|Aug low F = 55.9
|Sep low F = 46.9
|Oct low F = 33.7
|Nov low F = 19.6
|Dec low F = 5.6
|year low F = 29.6
|Jan record low F = −48
|Feb record low F = −48
|Mar record low F = −37
|Apr record low F = −15
|May record low F = 10
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 33
|Aug record low F = 26
|Sep record low F = 17
|Oct record low F = 2
|Nov record low F = −31
|Dec record low F = −46
|year record low F = −48
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.76
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.74
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.24
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.98
|May precipitation inch = 2.93
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.07
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.74
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.06
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.91
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.76
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.29
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.01
|year precipitation inch = 26.49
|Jan snow inch = 9.1
|Feb snow inch = 9.3
|Mar snow inch = 6.2
|Apr snow inch = 5.6
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 1.4
|Nov snow inch = 5.8
|Dec snow inch = 11.5
|year snow inch = 48.9
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 7.9
|Feb precipitation days = 6.8
|Mar precipitation days = 7.3
|Apr precipitation days = 8.5
|May precipitation days = 11.7
|Jun precipitation days = 12.7
|Jul precipitation days = 10.8
|Aug precipitation days = 9.3
|Sep precipitation days = 10.4
|Oct precipitation days = 10.3
|Nov precipitation days = 7.1
|Dec precipitation days = 8.5
|year precipitation days = 111.3
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 7.7
|Feb snow days = 6.2
|Mar snow days = 5.0
|Apr snow days = 2.6
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 1.1
|Nov snow days = 4.8
|Dec snow days = 7.9
|year snow days = 35.4
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NCDC>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dlh
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 23, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00211374&format=pdf
| title = Station: Cass Lake, MN
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 23, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 546
|1910= 2011
|1920= 2109
|1930= 1409
|1940= 1904
|1950= 1936
|1960= 1586
|1970= 1317
|1980= 1001
|1990= 923
|2000= 860
|2010= 770
|2020= 675
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|census of 2020]],<ref name="2020-census-2710252">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Cass Lake city, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US2710252&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=18 July 2022}}</ref> the population was 675. The [[population density]] was {{convert|619.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 296 housing units at an average density of {{convert|271.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 71.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 19.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.4% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 8.7% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 1.8% [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race. The 2020 census results may be inaccurate, especially for rural and non-white communities, owing to the Census Bureau's implementation of differential privacy.<ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1007/s11113-022-09698-3| issn = 0167-5923| last1 = Mueller| first1 = J. Tom| last2 = Santos-Lozada| first2 = Alexis R.| title = The 2020 US Census Differential Privacy Method Introduces Disproportionate Discrepancies for Rural and Non-White Populations| journal = Population Research and Policy Review| accessdate = 2022-07-18| date = 2022-01-19| volume = 41| issue = 4| pages = 1417–1430| s2cid = 254934164| url = https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11113-022-09698-3| pmc = 11105149}}</ref>

===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]]|access-date=2012-11-13}}</ref> of 2010, there were 770 people, 305 households, and 164 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|675.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 371 housing units at an average density of {{convert|325.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 67.9% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 24.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]],  0.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 6.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 305 households, of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 17.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 25.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 10.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.2% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.29.

The median age in the city was 31.8 years. 30.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 21.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 860 people, 331 households, and 192 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|753.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 384 housing units at an average density of {{convert|336.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 30.12% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 64.42% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.23% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.23% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.74% of the population.

There were 331 households, out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 27.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.40.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 36.2% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.7 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,583, and the median income for a family was $23,977. Males had a median income of $22,614 versus $20,066 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $9,569.  About 25.4% of families and 29.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 32.0% of those under age 18 and 29.4% of those age 65 or over.

==Infrastructure==

===Major highways===

The following routes are located within Cass Lake.

* [[Image:US 2.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 2 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 2]]
* [[Image:MN-371.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 371]]

==Notable people==
* [[Alonzo Barnard]] (1817–1905), missionary
* [[Jamie Becker-Finn]] (born 1982), Minnesota State Representative District 42B ([[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]])
* [[Elaine Fleming]], Mayor, Cass Lake, MN (2003).
* [[Skip Finn]] (1948–2018), attorney, Minnesota State Senator District 4 ([[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]]).
* [[Roland H. Hartley]] (1864–1952), Governor of Washington, 1925-1933
* [[Donald D. Lundrigan]] (1910–1990), Minnesota State Representative and lawyer
* [[Charlie Munger]] (1924–2023), Vice-Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Corporation 
* [[Frieda and Henry J. Neils House|Henry J. Neils]] (1896–1988), President of [[Flour City Ornamental Iron Works Company]]
* [[Alfred O. C. Nier]] (1911–1994), physicist (summer resident)
* [[Ozaawindib]], Ojibwe chief and guide
* [[Joe Polo]] (born 1982), Olympic gold medalist in curling (2018)
* [[Dick Siebert]] (1912–1978), professional baseball player
* [[John Smith (Chippewa Indian)|John Smith]] (1785?–1922), centenarian
* [[Erma Vizenor]] (born 1944), White Earth tribal chair

==Gallery==
<gallery  class="center">
Cass Lake, Minnesota-02 Post Office.jpg|Post Office
Cass Lake, Minnesota-04 -Armory.jpg|Armory cornerstone
Cass Lake, Minnesota-08 Cass Lake Times.jpg|Cass Lake Times Newspaper
Cass Lake, Minnesota-01 Municipal Center.jpg|Municipal Center
Cass Lake, Minnesota-11 Community Garden.jpg|Community Garden
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://ci.casslake.mn.us City of Cass Lake]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100805061450/http://www.lltc.edu/index.htm Leech Lake Tribal College]
*[http://www.casslake.com/ Cass Lake Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://casslaketimes.com Cass Lake Times Newspaper]
*[http://www.lakesnwoods.com/CassLakeGallery.htm Cass Lake Photo Gallery]
*[https://tulsaworld.com/archive/ex-rogers-coach-dies/article_ea3d67c0-f911-5470-b52c-03ee03e8824f.html]

{{Cass County, Minnesota}}
{{Brainerd micropolitan area}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Cass County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Brainerd, Minnesota micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1898]]
[[Category:Minnesota populated places on the Mississippi River]]