Chisago Lakes facts for kids

Chisago Lakes is a beautiful area in Chisago County, Minnesota. It's located along Highway 8. The Chisago Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce includes several towns. These are Shafer, Center City, Chisago City, and Lindström.

History of Chisago Lakes

The name "Chisago Lakes" comes from an old Indian phrase. It is "Ki Chi Saga," which means "fair & lovely waters." Early Swedish settlers called it "The Big Lake." This is because many of today's lakes were once one large lake.

Swedish immigrants settled in the Chisago Lakes area in the mid-1800s. The area became a popular place for tourists. People loved the lakes, and a railroad made it easy to visit. During the Great Depression, the lakes dried up. This meant fewer tourists came. But by the late 1940s, the lakes became healthy again. Tourism also grew once more.

Cities of Chisago Lakes

The Chisago Lakes area is home to several unique cities. Each one has its own special history and connection to Swedish heritage.

Chisago City, Minnesota

Chisago City, Minnesota is a sister-city to Algutsboda, Sweden. The city was first planned in 1855. It was then replanned in a new spot in 1892. Chisago City officially became a city in 1906.

After a railroad was built in 1880, Chisago City became a popular tourist spot. The famous Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg stayed here in the summer of 1947. He rode his bike around the area. He was researching for his four-book series about Swedish immigrants in North America. This series is called The Emigrants suite. It includes The Emigrants, Unto a Good Land, The Settlers, and The Last Letter Home. The city has a park and a statue dedicated to Vilhelm Moberg.

Center City, Minnesota

Center City, Minnesota is a sister-city to Hassela, Sweden. It was founded in 1851. Center City was the first permanent Swedish settlement in Minnesota. It became the county seat in 1875.

The Chisago Lakes Lutheran Church was the first Swedish church in the area. It was started in 1854 in a barn. Today, Highway 8 follows the path of the old railroad through Center City. Two blocks along Summit Avenue are very special. They include 18 homes and are listed as a historic district. This means they are important to history and are protected.

Lindström, Minnesota

Lindström, Minnesota is the largest city in the Chisago Lakes area. It is a sister-city to Tingsryd, Sweden. Lindström was planned in 1880 and officially founded in 1894. It was named after Daniel Lindström from Hassela, Hälsingland, Sweden.

Characters named Karl Oskar and Kristina are central to the city's celebrations. They are fictional characters. But they represent the many immigrant families who settled in this area. These families came from Småland, Sweden. They left a difficult life there to build new lives in America. A statue of Karl and Kristina stands in the city. It honors the Swedish peasants who moved to America over a hundred years ago. Many of them settled right here in the Chisago Lakes area.

Shafer, Minnesota

Shafer, Minnesota is a sister-city to Nöbbele, Sweden. Shafer is mainly a farming community. It was once a big center for growing potatoes. Shafer was first part of Taylors Falls, Minnesota. In 1853, the town was renamed. It was named after Jacob Shafer, a farm worker from Sweden. The Shafer community is very proud of its heritage. Throughout the year, events are held in a "town square" style.