Itasca County Resorts and Tourism

Since the nineteenth century, the lumber and mining industries have provided the main source of economic revenue for Itasca County. However, the Itasca County Historical Society felt that resorts and tourism may have played just as significant a role in the economic, social, and cultural development of Grand Rapids and the rest of Itasca County as did the lumber and mining industries during their heydays. Indeed, a significant portion of Itasca County's current revenue is drawn from the resort and tourist industry. This report documents a project to investigate the historical role and impact of resorts and tourism in the county.Prepared in partnership with Itasca County Historical Society by the Community Assistantship Program (CAP), which is administered by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota