Minnesota State Highway 61
Encyclopedia
Minnesota State Highway 61 is a highway
in northeast Minnesota
, which runs from the junction
of Interstate Highway 35
and Minnesota 61 in Duluth
(at 26th Avenue East) and continues northeast to its northern terminus at the U.S.
-Canadian
border near Grand Portage
. The roadway becomes Ontario Highway 61
upon entering Canada at the Pigeon River Bridge, and terminates at the Trans-Canada Highway
in Thunder Bay
. Minnesota Highway 61 is 149 miles (239.8 km) in length.
The route is a scenic highway, following the North Shore
of Lake Superior
, and is part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour designation that runs through Minnesota, Ontario
, Michigan
, and Wisconsin
.
This roadway was designated U.S. Highway 61
up until 1991. This highway (then U.S. 61) is the road that musician Bob Dylan
referred to in the album and song Highway 61 Revisited
.
The North Shore Scenic Drive is an All-American Road scenic byway
designated route that follows Saint Louis County Road 61 / Lake County Road 61 / State Highway 61 (formerly U.S. 61
) from the city of Duluth, Minnesota
to the Canadian
border near Grand Portage
. The route stays close to the rocky North Shore of Lake Superior
, offering spectacular vistas of the lake to the southeast as it skirts along the foothills of the Sawtooth Range
to the northwest.
, Two Harbors
, Silver Bay
, Grand Marais
, and the Canadian
border.
21 miles (33.8 km) of Highway 61 from Duluth to Two Harbors is a four-lane expressway officially designated the Arthur Rohweder Memorial Highway. There are no markers on the highway showing this designation, but there is a plaque at a wayside.
The roadway is located close to and in many places next to Lake Superior
. Sights include forests, wildlife, cliffs, state parks, and a national monument.
and the Grand Portage State Forest
in Cook County
.
is located adjacent to the town of Grand Portage
on Highway 61.
.
with Interstate Highway 35
in Duluth
in northeast Minnesota.
(Located in Duluth at 26th Avenue East, this is also the national northern terminus for I-35
.)
The northern terminus for Minnesota 61 is at the U.S.
-Canadian
border (near Grand Portage, Minn.
), where it becomes Ontario Highway 61
upon entering Canada at the Pigeon River Bridge.
Minnesota Highway 61 was designated and signed in 1991. The roadway was originally part of U.S. Highway 61
from 1926 to 1991.
After construction of I-35
in the 1960s, U.S. 61 was co-signed
with I-35 until 1991. During that year, U.S. 61 was decommissioned
from the Canadian
border south to its present day junction
with I-35 at the city of Wyoming, Minn.
(near Forest Lake
). The section of U.S. 61 north of Duluth
was re-designated Minnesota 61 that same year.
Minnesota 61 is one of three state marked highways to carry the same number as an existing U.S. marked highway within the state, the others being Highways 65
and 169
.
in 1926, ready for use by 1929, and paved by 1940.
The section of Highway 61 from Hovland
to the Pigeon River
formerly ran inland, bypassing Grand Portage
. The new highway alignment and border crossing were constructed in the early 1960s.
The Highway 61 expressway
between Duluth
and Two Harbors
was constructed inland in the 1960s. The state then turned over management of the original U.S. 61 (between Duluth and Two Harbors) to Saint Louis
and Lake
counties. The two counties then re-designated this section as "County 61 / Scenic 61".
|colspan=2 align='center'|Pigeon River
|150.870
|
|U.S.-Canadian border, LSCT continues into Ontario
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
in northeast Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, which runs from the junction
Junction (traffic)
A junction, when discussed in the context of transport, is a location where traffic can change between different routes, directions, or sometimes modes, of travel.-Historical significance:...
of Interstate Highway 35
Interstate 35 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 35 is a highway in southeast, east-central, and northeast Minnesota. The route runs north–south from the Iowa state line through the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul; where it splits into Interstates 35E and 35W; and ends in the city of...
and Minnesota 61 in Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
(at 26th Avenue East) and continues northeast to its northern terminus at the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
border near Grand Portage
Grand Portage, Minnesota
Grand Portage is an unorganized territory in Cook County, Minnesota, on Lake Superior, at the northeast corner of the state near the border with northwestern Ontario. The population was 557 at the 2000 census...
. The roadway becomes Ontario Highway 61
Ontario Highway 61
King's Highway 61, commonly referred to as Highway 61 and historically known as the Scott Highway, is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. It connects the Pigeon River Bridge, where it crosses into the United States and becomes Minnesota State Highway 61, with a...
upon entering Canada at the Pigeon River Bridge, and terminates at the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
. Minnesota Highway 61 is 149 miles (239.8 km) in length.
The route is a scenic highway, following the North Shore
North Shore (Lake Superior)
The North Shore of Lake Superior runs from Duluth, Minnesota, United States, at the southwestern end of the lake, to Thunder Bay and Nipigon, Ontario, Canada, in the north to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in the east...
of Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
, and is part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour designation that runs through Minnesota, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, and Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
This roadway was designated U.S. Highway 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
up until 1991. This highway (then U.S. 61) is the road that musician Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
referred to in the album and song Highway 61 Revisited
Highway 61 Revisited
Highway 61 Revisited is the sixth studio album by singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. It was released in August 1965 by Columbia Records. On his previous album, Bringing It All Back Home, Dylan devoted Side One of the album to songs accompanied by an electric rock band, and Side Two to solo acoustic numbers...
.
The North Shore Scenic Drive is an All-American Road scenic byway
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
designated route that follows Saint Louis County Road 61 / Lake County Road 61 / State Highway 61 (formerly U.S. 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
) from the city of Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
to the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
border near Grand Portage
Grand Portage, Minnesota
Grand Portage is an unorganized territory in Cook County, Minnesota, on Lake Superior, at the northeast corner of the state near the border with northwestern Ontario. The population was 557 at the 2000 census...
. The route stays close to the rocky North Shore of Lake Superior
North Shore (Lake Superior)
The North Shore of Lake Superior runs from Duluth, Minnesota, United States, at the southwestern end of the lake, to Thunder Bay and Nipigon, Ontario, Canada, in the north to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in the east...
, offering spectacular vistas of the lake to the southeast as it skirts along the foothills of the Sawtooth Range
Sawtooth Mountains (Minnesota)
The Sawtooth Mountains are a range of low, serrated ridges situated on the North Shore of Lake Superior in the U.S. state of Minnesota, extending about 30 miles from Carlton Peak near Tofte on the west, to Grand Marais on the east.-Description:...
to the northwest.
Route and features
Minnesota Highway 61 serves as a northeast–southwest route in northeast Minnesota between DuluthDuluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, Two Harbors
Two Harbors, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,613 people, 1,636 households, and 953 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,120.7 people per square mile . There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile...
, Silver Bay
Silver Bay, Minnesota
Silver Bay is a city in Lake County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,887 at the 2010 census. The city was founded on May 1, 1954 after previously being known as the Beaver Bay housing project...
, Grand Marais
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Grand Marais is a city in Cook County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,351 at the 2010 census. It is also the county seat of Cook County...
, and the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
border.
21 miles (33.8 km) of Highway 61 from Duluth to Two Harbors is a four-lane expressway officially designated the Arthur Rohweder Memorial Highway. There are no markers on the highway showing this designation, but there is a plaque at a wayside.
The roadway is located close to and in many places next to Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
. Sights include forests, wildlife, cliffs, state parks, and a national monument.
Forests
Highway 61 passes through the Superior National ForestSuperior National Forest
Superior National Forest, part of the United States National Forest system, is located in the Arrowhead Region of the state of Minnesota between the Canada – United States border and the north shore of Lake Superior...
and the Grand Portage State Forest
Grand Portage State Forest
The Grand Portage State Forest is a state forest located near the town of Hovland in Cook County, in extreme northeastern Minnesota. The forest encloses Judge C. R. Magney State Park, Swamp River Wildlife Management Area, Hovland Woods Scientific and Natural Area, and Spring Beauty Hardwoods...
in Cook County
Cook County, Minnesota
Northern Minnesota offers extreme winter weather. While the averages are low, the extremes provide more details. A third of the year is below freezing . Of those days, 21 are below zero degrees Fahrenheit .-External links:...
.
State Parks
The following state parks are located on Highway 61:- Gooseberry Falls State ParkGooseberry Falls State ParkGooseberry Falls State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The park is located in Silver Creek Township, about 13 miles northeast of Two Harbors, Minnesota in Lake County on scenic Minnesota Highway 61. The Joseph N...
is located 13 miles (20.9 km) northeast of Two HarborsTwo Harbors, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 3,613 people, 1,636 households, and 953 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,120.7 people per square mile . There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile...
in Lake CountyLake County, MinnesotaLake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 10,866. Its county seat is Two Harbors. Lake County was founded on February 20, 1855, as Superior County, though its name was changed on March 3, of that year to St. Louis County. On March 1, 1856, St...
. - Split Rock Lighthouse State ParkSplit Rock Lighthouse State ParkSplit Rock Lighthouse State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, on the North Shore of Lake Superior. It is best known for the picturesque Split Rock Lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States...
is located in Lake CountyLake County, MinnesotaLake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 10,866. Its county seat is Two Harbors. Lake County was founded on February 20, 1855, as Superior County, though its name was changed on March 3, of that year to St. Louis County. On March 1, 1856, St...
between Two HarborsTwo Harbors, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 3,613 people, 1,636 households, and 953 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,120.7 people per square mile . There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile...
and Silver BaySilver Bay, MinnesotaSilver Bay is a city in Lake County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,887 at the 2010 census. The city was founded on May 1, 1954 after previously being known as the Beaver Bay housing project...
. - Tettegouche State ParkTettegouche State ParkTettegouche State Park is a Minnesota state park on the north shore of Lake Superior 58 miles northeast of Duluth in Lake County on scenic Minnesota Highway 61. The park's name stems from the Tettegouche Club, an association of local businessmen which purchased the park in 1910 from the...
is located in Lake CountyLake County, MinnesotaLake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 10,866. Its county seat is Two Harbors. Lake County was founded on February 20, 1855, as Superior County, though its name was changed on March 3, of that year to St. Louis County. On March 1, 1856, St...
at the base of the Baptism River. The park is located immediately northeast of Silver BaySilver Bay, MinnesotaSilver Bay is a city in Lake County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,887 at the 2010 census. The city was founded on May 1, 1954 after previously being known as the Beaver Bay housing project...
. - Temperance River State ParkTemperance River State ParkTemperance River State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, just north of the town of Schroeder on Highway 61 on the North Shore of Lake Superior. It has campsites, picnic areas, and hiking trails on both sides of the Temperance River.-History:...
is located immediately northeast of SchroederSchroeder Township, MinnesotaSchroeder Township is one of the three townships of Cook County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 187 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
in Cook CountyCook County, MinnesotaNorthern Minnesota offers extreme winter weather. While the averages are low, the extremes provide more details. A third of the year is below freezing . Of those days, 21 are below zero degrees Fahrenheit .-External links:...
. - Cascade River State ParkCascade River State ParkCascade River State Park is a state park near the northeastern tip of Minnesota, USA, on the north shore of Lake Superior. The park is in a rocky and rugged location, and has many different types of wildlife....
is located in Cook CountyCook County, MinnesotaNorthern Minnesota offers extreme winter weather. While the averages are low, the extremes provide more details. A third of the year is below freezing . Of those days, 21 are below zero degrees Fahrenheit .-External links:...
between Lutsen and Grand MaraisGrand Marais, MinnesotaGrand Marais is a city in Cook County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,351 at the 2010 census. It is also the county seat of Cook County...
. - Judge C. R. Magney State ParkJudge C. R. Magney State ParkJudge C. R. Magney State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, on the North Shore of Lake Superior. It was named for Clarence R. Magney, a former mayor of Duluth and judge on the Minnesota Supreme Court, who was instrumental in getting 11 state parks and scenic waysides established along the...
is located on the banks of the Brule River. The park is located 14 miles (22.5 km) northeast of Grand MaraisGrand Marais, MinnesotaGrand Marais is a city in Cook County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,351 at the 2010 census. It is also the county seat of Cook County...
in Cook CountyCook County, MinnesotaNorthern Minnesota offers extreme winter weather. While the averages are low, the extremes provide more details. A third of the year is below freezing . Of those days, 21 are below zero degrees Fahrenheit .-External links:...
. - Grand Portage State ParkGrand Portage State ParkGrand Portage State Park is a state park at the northeastern tip of Minnesota, USA, on the Canada – United States border. It contains a waterfall, the tallest in the state, on the Pigeon River. The High Falls and other waterfalls and rapids upstream necessitated a historically important portage...
is located in Cook CountyCook County, MinnesotaNorthern Minnesota offers extreme winter weather. While the averages are low, the extremes provide more details. A third of the year is below freezing . Of those days, 21 are below zero degrees Fahrenheit .-External links:...
on the banks of the Pigeon RiverPigeon River (Minnesota-Ontario)The Pigeon River forms part of the US-Canada border between the State of Minnesota and the Province of Ontario west of Lake Superior. In pre-industrial times the river was a waterway of great importance for transportation and trade.-Geography:...
. The town of Grand PortageGrand Portage, MinnesotaGrand Portage is an unorganized territory in Cook County, Minnesota, on Lake Superior, at the northeast corner of the state near the border with northwestern Ontario. The population was 557 at the 2000 census...
is nearby.
Landmark
The Grand Portage National MonumentGrand Portage National Monument
Grand Portage National Monument is a United States National Monument located on the north shore of Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota that preserves a vital center of fur trade activity and Anishinaabeg Ojibwe heritage....
is located adjacent to the town of Grand Portage
Grand Portage, Minnesota
Grand Portage is an unorganized territory in Cook County, Minnesota, on Lake Superior, at the northeast corner of the state near the border with northwestern Ontario. The population was 557 at the 2000 census...
on Highway 61.
Features
A listing of more attractions located on or near Highway 61 is at North Shore (Lake Superior)North Shore (Lake Superior)
The North Shore of Lake Superior runs from Duluth, Minnesota, United States, at the southwestern end of the lake, to Thunder Bay and Nipigon, Ontario, Canada, in the north to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in the east...
.
Termini
The southern terminus for Minnesota 61 is its junctionJunction (traffic)
A junction, when discussed in the context of transport, is a location where traffic can change between different routes, directions, or sometimes modes, of travel.-Historical significance:...
with Interstate Highway 35
Interstate 35 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 35 is a highway in southeast, east-central, and northeast Minnesota. The route runs north–south from the Iowa state line through the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul; where it splits into Interstates 35E and 35W; and ends in the city of...
in Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
in northeast Minnesota.
(Located in Duluth at 26th Avenue East, this is also the national northern terminus for I-35
Interstate 35
Interstate 35 is a north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States. I-35 stretches from Laredo, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, at Minnesota Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East. Many interstates used to have splits or spurs indicated with suffixed letters , but I-35...
.)
The northern terminus for Minnesota 61 is at the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
border (near Grand Portage, Minn.
Grand Portage, Minnesota
Grand Portage is an unorganized territory in Cook County, Minnesota, on Lake Superior, at the northeast corner of the state near the border with northwestern Ontario. The population was 557 at the 2000 census...
), where it becomes Ontario Highway 61
Ontario Highway 61
King's Highway 61, commonly referred to as Highway 61 and historically known as the Scott Highway, is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. It connects the Pigeon River Bridge, where it crosses into the United States and becomes Minnesota State Highway 61, with a...
upon entering Canada at the Pigeon River Bridge.
History
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
from 1926 to 1991.
After construction of I-35
Interstate 35 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 35 is a highway in southeast, east-central, and northeast Minnesota. The route runs north–south from the Iowa state line through the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul; where it splits into Interstates 35E and 35W; and ends in the city of...
in the 1960s, U.S. 61 was co-signed
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with I-35 until 1991. During that year, U.S. 61 was decommissioned
Decommissioned highway
A decommissioned highway is a highway that has been removed from service, shut down or has had its authorization as a federal or state highway removed. Decommissioning can include the complete or partial demolition or abandonment of an old highway structure because the old roadway has lost its...
from the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
border south to its present day junction
Junction (traffic)
A junction, when discussed in the context of transport, is a location where traffic can change between different routes, directions, or sometimes modes, of travel.-Historical significance:...
with I-35 at the city of Wyoming, Minn.
Wyoming, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,048 people, 1,023 households, and 848 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,069.8 people per square mile . There were 1,055 housing units at an average density of 370.3 per square mile...
(near Forest Lake
Forest Lake, Minnesota
Forest Lake is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 18,375 at the 2010 census. It is located on Minnesota's 94th largest lake .Interstate 35 and U.S...
). The section of U.S. 61 north of Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
was re-designated Minnesota 61 that same year.
Minnesota 61 is one of three state marked highways to carry the same number as an existing U.S. marked highway within the state, the others being Highways 65
Minnesota State Highway 65
Minnesota State Highway 65 is a highway in east-central and northeast Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with Washington Avenue at the north end of downtown Minneapolis and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S...
and 169
Minnesota State Highway 169
Minnesota State Highway 169 is a highway in northeast Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with U.S. Highway 53 in Wuori Township and continues northeast to its northern terminus at the intersection of Lake County Road 18 and Power Dam Road in Fall Lake Township...
.
Early History
Highway 61 (between Duluth and the Canadian border) was commissioned as part of U.S. Highway 61U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
in 1926, ready for use by 1929, and paved by 1940.
The section of Highway 61 from Hovland
Hovland, Minnesota
Hovland is an unincorporated community in Cook County, Minnesota, United States.The community is located between Grand Marais and Grand Portage on Chicago Bay of Lake Superior. Minnesota State Highway 61 runs through the community....
to the Pigeon River
Pigeon River (Minnesota-Ontario)
The Pigeon River forms part of the US-Canada border between the State of Minnesota and the Province of Ontario west of Lake Superior. In pre-industrial times the river was a waterway of great importance for transportation and trade.-Geography:...
formerly ran inland, bypassing Grand Portage
Grand Portage, Minnesota
Grand Portage is an unorganized territory in Cook County, Minnesota, on Lake Superior, at the northeast corner of the state near the border with northwestern Ontario. The population was 557 at the 2000 census...
. The new highway alignment and border crossing were constructed in the early 1960s.
The Highway 61 expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
between Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
and Two Harbors
Two Harbors, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,613 people, 1,636 households, and 953 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,120.7 people per square mile . There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile...
was constructed inland in the 1960s. The state then turned over management of the original U.S. 61 (between Duluth and Two Harbors) to Saint Louis
St. Louis County, Minnesota
St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 200,226. Its county seat is Duluth. It is the largest county by total area in Minnesota, and the second largest in the United States east of the Mississippi River; in land area alone, after Aroostook...
and Lake
Lake County, Minnesota
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 10,866. Its county seat is Two Harbors. Lake County was founded on February 20, 1855, as Superior County, though its name was changed on March 3, of that year to St. Louis County. On March 1, 1856, St...
counties. The two counties then re-designated this section as "County 61 / Scenic 61".
Major intersections
|-|colspan=2 align='center'|Pigeon River
|150.870
|
|U.S.-Canadian border, LSCT continues into Ontario
See also
- North Shore (Lake Superior)North Shore (Lake Superior)The North Shore of Lake Superior runs from Duluth, Minnesota, United States, at the southwestern end of the lake, to Thunder Bay and Nipigon, Ontario, Canada, in the north to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in the east...
- Saint Louis County Road 61 – Scenic 61
- Lake County Road 61 – Scenic 61