General Info
St. Louis County is the second largest county in the United States, spanning over 6,000 square miles of picturesque wilderness and over 500 lakes. Dakota and Chippewa Indians occupied St. Louis County area until French fur traders and missionaries arrived. Daniel Duluth, a soldier and explorer from France, is believed to have established one of the first trading posts on the shores of Lake Superior in the 1600s. Once known as part of Superior County, St. Louis County was established in 1855 and is named after the St. Louis River. By 1900 St. Louis County had a population of 82,932. With the discovery of iron ore, St. Louis County forms part of the Iron Range where taconite mining continues today and is home to the fastest and largest lift bridge in the world, allowing ships to pass through the canals of Lake Superior. Visitors can also enjoy many recreational activities as the Superior National Forest, Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are located here. Today St. Louis County is home to approximately 196,864 residents.
