Ely | USA Minnesota

Ely is an independent city in St. Louis County, located on the shores of Shagawa Lake at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). It is defined as the "Canoe Capital of the World," a premier entry point for the 1.1-million-acre wilderness, and a historic iron-mining outpost on the Vermilion Range.

Historical Timeline

Inhabited by the Ojibwe (Chippewa) who utilized the "Portage to the North" for centuries. Primary governance began with its 1888 incorporation, following the discovery of the Chandler Mine and its high-grade hematite. A critical historical event was the 1964 Wilderness Act, which shifted Ely’s identity from a resource-extraction economy to a conservation-focused tourism hub. The late 20th century saw intense local-federal conflict over motorized access to the BWCAW. The 21st century has been characterized by its emergence as a global center for wolf and bear research and the ongoing debate regarding copper-nickel mining in the watershed.

Demographics & Population

The population is approximately 3,300. The demographics are White (94%), with small Indigenous and Hispanic populations. The economy is driven by wilderness outfitting, federal government services (US Forest Service), and the Vermilion Community College.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

Ely is a compact city with a distinct "frontier" layout centered on Sheridan Street.

Sheridan Street (Main Street): The commercial artery lined with historic outfitters, specialized outdoor gear shops, and local eateries.

The Chandler District: The site of the former iron mines, now converted into the Pioneer Mine historic site and walking trails.

The "College Hill": The area surrounding Vermilion Community College, characterized by student housing and higher elevation.

Northwoods Residential: The northern blocks leading toward Shagawa Lake and the municipal beach.

Top City Landmarks

International Wolf Center: A world-class research and education facility featuring a resident wolf pack.

North American Bear Center: The only facility of its kind dedicated to the study of black bears and their behavior.

Dorothy Molter Museum: Commemorating the "Root Beer Lady," the last non-indigenous resident allowed to live in the BWCAW.

Pioneer Mine: A preserved 19th-century headframe and miners' dry house documenting the city’s deep-earth mining era.

The Kawishiwi Falls: A massive waterfall located just east of town, accessible via a short wilderness trail.

Steger Wilderness Center: Founded by polar explorer Will Steger to promote sustainability and wilderness leadership.

Transportation Network

Movement is automotive-centric. The city is the northern terminus of MN-1 and MN-169. Public transit is non-existent. The city is the primary hub for the Echo Trail, a rugged gravel road providing access to remote BWCAW entry points. Commercial air service is via Duluth International (DLH), 180 km south.

Safety & "Red Zones"

The general safety level is exceptionally high. Violent crime is rare. There are no "red zones." Environmental hazards are the primary threat: extreme sub-zero winter temperatures (-40°C is common), black bear encounters, and the risk of becoming lost in the trackless wilderness surrounding the city.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

Internet speeds average 200+ Mbps with fiber available via local cooperatives like CTC and Frontier. Main mobile carriers are Verizon and AT&T (signal drops immediately outside the city limits). Card acceptance is universal. ATMs are concentrated on Sheridan Street.

Climate & Air Quality

Temperatures range from -22°C to -8°C in winter and 12°C to 24°C in summer. Ely is frequently the coldest spot in the contiguous U.S. during winter. Air quality is pristine.

Culture & Social Norms

The standard tipping percentage is 20%. A "Wilderness-Direct" and rugged greeting is standard. Dress codes are "Boundary Waters Uniform" (wool, flannel, and rubber boots). The city is culturally defined by its Canoe Culture, its historic mining grit, and its "End of the Road" independence.

Local Cost Index

1 Espresso: $4.50 (USD)

1 Standard Lunch: $17.00 (USD)

1 Daily BWCAW Permit: $16.00 (per person).

Nearby Day Trips

Tower, MN: (35 km west; featuring Lake Vermilion and the Soudan Underground Mine).

The Echo Trail: (Starts in town; provides access to high-density wolf and moose territory).

Babbitt, MN: (25 km south; a planned mining community and center for taconite production).

Facts & Legends

Ely is the site where the first female polar explorer to reach the North Pole, Ann Bancroft, trained and lived. Historically, the city was once the "Gambling Capital of the North" during its mining peak. A local legend involves the "Ghost of the Pioneer Mine," a spectral figure said to alert workers to impending collapses. Another legend concerns the "Lost Gold of Hegman Lake," referring to caches of currency hidden by 1930s bootleggers in the pictograph-lined canyons north of town.