Virginia, Minnesota (nonfiction)

Virginia is a city in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mesabi Iron Range. The population was 8,712 at the 2010 census. According to a water tower in the middle of town, the city's nickname is the "Queen City", or "Queen City of the North".

Despite its relatively small size, Virginia ranks among the most dangerous cities in Minnesota when measured by violent and property crimes per capita.

History

Virginia was laid out in 1892, and named after Virginia, the native state of a large share of the lumbermen in the area at that time. A post office has been in operation at Virginia since 1893. Virginia was incorporated in February 1895. It was a logging community first, then it was developed as an iron mining community. The mines in the Virginia area were prosperous and setting new records consistently by the late 1890s. The main population boom began after mining camps were built for entrepreneurs and financiers including Andrew Carnegie, Leonidas Merritt, Jay Cooke, John D. Rockefeller, William J. Olcott, James J. Hill, and others. With the use of diamond drills, mules, and a massive labor force, the mines were able to move millions of tons per year and ship them out of the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior, as well as Two Harbors.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.18 square miles (49.68 km2); 18.85 square miles (48.82 km2) is land and 0.33 square miles (0.85 km2) is water. Lakes in Virginia include Silver Lake and Bailey Lake. The area was originally named Qeechaquepagem by an Ojibwe tribe, which roughly means "lake of the north birds".

Virginia is part of the Quad Cities, which also include nearby Eveleth, Gilbert, and Mountain Iron.

Economy

Virginia is located on the Mesabi Range, one of the sub-regions within Minnesota's Iron Range. Virginia is considered the commerce center of the Mesabi Range. Virginia serves as a shopping, industrial, educational, and medical hub for the surrounding communities.

External links

• Virginia, Minnesota @ Wikipedia
• Natural Harvest Food Coop:
  • 732 N. 4th St. Virginia, Minnesota 55792
  • (218) 741-4663
  • info@naturalharvest.coop
  • Hours: Monday-Friday: 7 AM-8 PM, Weekends: 9 AM-8 PM
• Perpich TV and Appliance:
  • 8421 Enterprise Drive, North Virginia, MN 55792
  • Phone: 218-741-8633
  • Toll free: 800-491-8633
  • Email: jonp@perpichtv.com
  • Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Sunday Closed