DETROIT LAKES, MINNESOTA

'Detroit Lakes' is a city in Becker County, Minnesota, USA; it was formerly named "Tylertown" and "Detroit" at different times. Its population was 7,348 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Becker County. The city was referred to in the John Steinbeck book, , as he and his dog Charley drove through the upper Midwest.
U.S. Highway 10, U.S. Highway 59, and Minnesota Highway 34 are three of the main arterial routes in the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.9 km² (12.3 mi²). 19.4 km² (7.5 mi²) of it is land and 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²) of it (39.25%) is water.

Contents

Demography

Governance

Education

Local Post-Secondary Education

Regional 4-year Colleges

Public School System

Business & Industry

Culture

Community Center

Libraries

Museums

Recreation

Festivals

10,000 Lakes Festival

WE Fest

Sports

Detroit Lakes Angels Baseball

Washington Ballpark

Local Media

Radio

Television

Print

Transportation

Rail

Air

Notable residents

References

External links

Demography

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,348 people, 3,319 households, and 1,845 families residing in the city. The population density was 378.3/km² (980.4/mi²). There were 3,782 housing units at an average density of 194.7/km² (504.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.98% White, 0.42% African American, 4.50% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.
There were 3,319 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,264, and the median income for a family was $42,267. Males had a median income of $28,939 versus $21,439 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,509. About 9.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Governance

The City of Detroit Lakes is the county seat and a service center for Becker County and the surrounding region. The county courthouse and law enforcement center are located in the City. District headquarters for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the State Patrol are also located here.
A 9-member City Council serves the city, with the mayor (currently Larry Buboltz) serving as the 10th voting member. There are four election wards, with two council members serving each of the three primary wards with three serving the "at large" area. The Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the City Administration Building on Roosevelt Avenue in Detroit Lakes. Community Information for the City of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
14 boards and commissions are in operation, including the Park Board, Library Board, Public Utilities Commission, Planning Commission, Police Civil Service Commission, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the Airport Commission, and the Tourism Bureau. Government in the City of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Education

Local Post-Secondary Education

Minnesota State Community and Technical College has four campus locations. Each campus has a unique personality, history, and mix of program offerings. The Detroit Lakes campus, located on Highway 34 East, enrolls approximately 650 students in 25 different programs/majors. MSCTC General Information

Regional 4-year Colleges

North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND), Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and Concordia College, Moorhead, are all accessible to Detroit Lakes residents, being just 45 miles away. These universities also offer extension courses at the Minnesota State Community & Technical College Detroit Lakes campus. Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Public School System

The Detroit Lakes Public School system enrolls approximately 2500 students in grades K-12 residing in the city of Detroit Lakes and surrounding communities. Included in the district are five schools, including Detroit Lakes High School, Lakes Area Learning Center (an alternative high school), Detroit Lakes Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary School, and Rossman Elementary School. Detroit Lakes Public Schools Info
Detroit Lakes High School is a self-proclaimed "vibrant, forward-looking learning community" that enrolls approximately 840 students in grades 9-12. It is highly competitive in academics, athletics, and the arts. The school offers courses in 13 curricular areas, including 10 Advanced Placement courses recognized by the College Board for college credit. Its music and theater arts departments are respected throughout the state of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.

Business & Industry

A variety of health care services, retail stores, and service businesses are available to area residents. Detroit Lakes has 13 hotels/motels with a total of 321 units. Numerous resorts in the area provide many additional units. The city's downtown offers a 135,000 square foot shopping center, including Washington Square Mall. The downtown is compact and features a wide variety of goods and services. Area businesses include department stores, specialty shops, insurance and financial services, four banks, two major grocery stores, restaurants, three chain discount centers (Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Pamida), a Menards home and garden center, 2 theaters, and various tourism-dependent businesses. Detroit Lakes is also home to many manufacturers and industrial businesses. Community Information for the City of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Culture

Community Center

The city has a new Community & Cultural Center that incorporates a large new fitness center with the large, recently restored brick building that once was the Holmes School. The fitness and aquatic area features an 8-lane pool, an indoor track, a fieldhouse featuring 2 basketball courts, a weight room, cardio fitness center, racquetball courts, and a golf driving/putting range. The old 1931 school building houses the renovated 837-seat Historic Holmes Theatre featuring orchestra and balcony level seating, numerous conference rooms, and a fully functioning Alternative Learning Center. When completed in 2001, a building of 105,000 square feet was the result of $9.5 million dollars in expenses. Detroit Lakes Community & Cultural Center Information

Libraries

Lake Agassiz Regional Library

Built in 1913 with a $10,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, the Detroit Lakes Public Library is a branch of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library Network. Originally 4,142 square feet on two floors, the library was designed by the architecural firm of Claude and Stark of Madison, Wisconsin. The building today is on the National Register of Historic Places. Most notably, the building features a Louis Sullivan exterior frieze, lead and stained glass windows and doors, and a completely open and unobstructed interior. The building is also noted for its orange clay-tiled hip roof that is very uncharacteristic of regional construction. In 1985, due to space issues, the city hired Jeffrey Scherer of the architectural firm of Meyer, Scherer, and Rockcastle to design an addition to the original Carnegie building. Lake Agassiz Regional Library Branch Info

Museums

In 1882, the citizens of Becker County recognized the need for preservation of the history of their community by creating the Pioneer Settlers Union. The group, composed of numerous founding residents, worked to preserve the history of their burgeoning community as it was happening. In 1924, this organization was renamed the Becker County Historical Society. Today, the Historical Society operates the ''Becker County Museum'', located in Detroit Lakes across from the Community & Cultural Center. The Museum features a variety of displays and exhibts that couple regional artifacts with historically accurate re-creation pieces. Themes include Native American culture, early pioneer settlement, environmental history, and Detroit Lakes community expansion. Perhaps most famous of all is the display of the preserved body of "Old Three Legs," the three-legged wolf that has become "local legend and lore." Becker County Historical Society

Recreation

The city is best known as a resort destination; which includes a mile-long city beach. Providing tourists with outdoor relaxation are a variety of privately and publicly owned and operated businesses. In and around Detroit Lakes are 14 golf courses, including Wildflower, Forest Hills, Maple Hills, River Hills, Iron Man, and Lakeview Executive Golf Club. The Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center, a state-of-the-art facility, features a year-round theater, aquatic center, field house, racquetball courts, fitness center, indoor track, and a coffee shop within. The area also features Go-Putt-N-Bump Amusement Park, two river tubing companies, and a horseback riding ranch. Large events throughout the year include one of the region's largest 4th of July celebrations, The Northwest Water Carnival, and concert events held at the Soo Pass Ranch.

Festivals

10,000 Lakes Festival

Each July, the town hosts the 10,000 Lakes Festival, a large music festival with past acts including Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh, The String Cheese Incident, Trey Anastasio, The Black Crowes, the Allman Brothers, Ratdog, and others. The three-day concert attracts around 25,000 people and is held annually at the Soo Pass Ranch on Highway 59 south of Detroit Lakes.

WE Fest

Each August the town hosts WE Fest, one of the largest country music festivals. Campgrounds packed with tents surround a huge stage, and the three-day concert attracts around 50,000 music-lovers each summer. The music festival is held annually at the Soo Pass Ranch on Highway 59 south of Detroit Lakes. The 2007 lineup includes Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, The Wreckers and others.

Sports

Detroit Lakes Angels Baseball

Detroit Lakes Angels Logo

The Detroit Lakes Angels, a recently resurrected Minnesota Amateur Baseball League team, joins 5 other area teams in the Hi-10 Conference for the 2007 season. The team is composed of seasoned baseball veterans and young prospects, with the team ranging in age from 18-35. Many players have college-level baseball experience. Saturday, May 5, 2007 marked the first time the Angels took the field at Washington Ballpark, downtown Detroit Lakes, since 1998, as they played host to the Fargo Mets. Detroit Lakes Angels Resurrected

Washington Ballpark

Situated on 8.1 acres on Washington Avenue, just down the street from the mile-long city beach, Washington Ballpark is a facility built in the 1920s. The park is owned and operated by the City of Detroit Lakes Parks Department. The park plays host to the Detroit Lakes Angels of the Minnesota Amateur Baseball League, Hi-10 Conference, Little League Baseball, American Legion Baseball, and the Detroit Lakes High School varsity baseball team. The park was recently improved with a new concessions building. An ongoing problem with the park is flooding, especially in the early months of spring. Detroit Lakes City Official Website

Local Media

Radio

★ KDLM-AM 1340 (Adult Contemporary)

★ KBOT "Wild Country" 104.3 (Country)

★ KRCQ "Real Country" 102.3 (Country)

Television

★ TV3: Lakes Area Television (Local Cable Network)
TV3 is a commercial-supported cable access television station located in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. According to its website, the cable network airs programs that are "produced locally and feature the people, places, and events of the lakes area."
Arvig Communication Systems (ACS), provides cable television service to Detroit Lakes area residents. Local national network affiliate networks from Fargo, North Dakota, are delivered to Detroit Lakes residents through ACS cable. This includes ABC (WDAY), CBS (KXJB), NBC (KVLY), FOX (KVRR), and Prairie Public Television (KFME), which is a local affiliate of PBS.

Print

The Forum Communications Company of Fargo, North Dakota, owns and operates the Detroit Lakes Newspapers. Three weekly newspapers are delivered to area residents by Detroit Lakes Newspapers, including the ''Becker County Record'', the ''Detroit Lakes Tribune'', and the ''Lake Area Press''.

Transportation

"Lakes Area Taxi Service" and the "Becker County Transit system" offer public transportation within Detroit Lakes for a mileage-based fee.

Rail

The Detroit Lakes Passenger Amtrak Station is a historic brick/stone structure constructed in 1908. It is located on Pioneer Street, just off of Highway 10 and perpendicular to Washington Avenue. The station is served by the "Empire Builder" passenger train on its route from Seattle, Washington, to Chicago, Illinois. Train Web

Air

With a 4,500-foot runway, the Detroit Lakes Airport accommodates small planes and helicopters. Located 2 miles west of Detroit Lakes on Highway 10, the airport features a sod strip and float plane docking area on Long Lake in addition to the 4,500-foot paved runway. W.O. Enterprises, Inc. manages the airport. Detroit Lakes Airport

Notable residents

★ Mary Ann Glawe Hardy; a.k.a "Princess Kay of the Milky Way" (1971-) Princess Kay of the Milky Way

★ Phil Hansen, Former Buffalo Bills Defensive End

References

External links

★ City of Detroit Lakes official website

★ Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce website

★ WE-FEST website

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★ Minnesota State Community & Technical College website

★ Detroit Lakes Public Library website