Makinen, Minnesota

Makinen is an unincorporated community in St. Louis County, Minnesota, USA.

The community is located southeast of the city of Virginia on County Road 16.

U.S. Highway 53 is nearby.

Geography

Makinen is located at 47°21′26″N 92°22′03″W / 47.3572°N 92.3675°W / 47.3572; -92.3675.

The center of town is located at the intersection of Wilson Road and Long Lake Road. The Makinen Post Office (ZIP code 55763), Makinen Community Center, and the Makinen Market are in this vicinity.

Markham and Palo are other nearby communities, from which some residents obtain mail service from Makinen.

County Road 16 takes a northern jog near the center of Makinen. This section of County Road 16 underwent re-construction and re-routing from 2006 to 2008. The former "corner" intersection has been rounded out so travelers on Couinty Road 16 no longer have to slow down as much.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau FactFinder website, the population of Makinen in 2000 was 591 people. This appears to represent the U.S. Census Tract area [ZCTA], and not the actual ZIP Code area.

Demographics for Makinen are available at www.geoselector.com.

Education

Most students in grades K through twelve attend classes either in nearby Cotton or Aurora. Other nearby communities include Eveleth, Gilbert, Biwabik, Hibbing, and Virginia.

History

Finnish farming developed next in the region to the west of McDavitt, in the townships of Lavell and Cherry. The most important Finnish clusters developed in Cherry (Alavus), Corbin, Forbes, Makinen and St. Louis River, while lesser numbers of Finns were scattered throughout the whole region. The village called Makinen got its name from John Makinen who, together with John Kovaniemi, kept a store and post office there from 1905 on.

According to several current residents, Makinen was founded in 1900 by John Makinen. The former name of the area was Corbin, however this name was not available to be used when the town was founded.^{[citation needed]}

Makinen held a "Diamond Jubilee" celebration in 1975, and a Centennial celebration in 2000.

A historic Finnish pioneer farm is located in southeastern Makinen, once owned by Eli Wirtanen.

The Makinen Volunteer Fire Department moved from the lower level of the Makinen Community Center to the building that formerly housed Makinen Elementary School (#79).^{[citation needed]}

References

Rand McNally Road Atlas - 2007 edition - Minnesota entry
Official State of Minnesota Highway Map - 2007/2008 edition

Coordinates: 47°21′26″N 92°22′3″W / 47.35722°N 92.3675°W / 47.35722; -92.3675