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Along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River where it joins the Elk River, the city of Elk River, Minnesota is 34 miles north of Minneapolis. Originally part of the Ojibwe Native American nation the confluence of the Mississippi and Elk Rivers was named Wich-n-wan, meaning “double river” by the Ojibwe. In the early 1800’s American adventurer Zebulon Pike gave the river its current name because of the herds of elk he witnessed in the area during his exploration of the upper Mississippi. The town was later settled as a trading post by David Fairbault in 1846. The area soon became a hub for lumber milling with the dam built by Ard Godfrey. An associate of Godfrey, Charles Mansur built a house in 1856 which still stands on Main Street and is believed to be the oldest structure in Elk River. Because of its proximity to the river, the town has always been identified with hydroelectric power with a new dam being built in 1915. In 1960, a new type of power came to town when the first rural nuclear power plant went online. Meant as a demonstration site, it only operated for four years but didn’t keep Elk River from being nicknamed “Atomic City.”

For more about the history of Elk River, the Sherburne History Center in nearby Becker houses historic artifacts, maps, photographs, manuscripts and oral histories of the area. An Elk River tutor will be able to fill you in on the history of this part of Minnesota. And, a tutor can get you caught up on your studies so you can enjoy Elk River and the wider metropolitan area around the twin cities. One of the best things to do in Elk River is visit the Oliver H. Kelley Farm, a working 1860’s farm where you can pick vegetables from the garden, visit the animals in the barn and see demonstrations of historic farming and homestead techniques. Kelley established the farm in 1850 on the banks of the Mississippi. Kelley would later found the National Grange, the first successful agricultural association in the United States.

Every summer in late July, Elk River hosts the Sherburne County Fair. Over 125 years old, the fair began as an exhibition of livestock, agriculture and mechanics. Today, the fair still features those things plus live entertainment, a parade, carnival rides and vendors. In May, the city comes alive for “Taste of Elk River,” an outdoor food and wine festival sponsored by the Elk River Rotary Club. And, in December, historic Handke Stadium on Main Street becomes an open-air ice rink for skaters and Santa is on hand for the annual “Santa in the Park.”

Further afield, there are a wealth of activities and attractions in Minneapolis. Gaining fame from the classic Longfellow poem “Song of Hiawatha,” Minnehaha Falls is just north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in the southern part of Minneapolis. Nearby Lake Nakomis Park offers plenty of summer and winter recreational activities such as hiking, boating, ice fishing and cross-country skiing.