Tofte, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tofte
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Sunrise over Lake Superior in Tofte
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 Tofte, Minnesota
Location in Minnesota
Tofte, Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Cook |
| Elevation | 627 ft (191 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
55615
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| Area code(s) | 218 |
| GNIS feature ID | 658702 |
Tofte is a small, friendly community located in Cook County, Minnesota, right on the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior. It's a great spot for exploring nature and learning about the history of this part of Minnesota. Tofte is known as an "unincorporated community," which means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town with its own local government.
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Discover Tofte: Location and Surroundings
Tofte is found along the stunning North Shore of Lake Superior. It's nestled inside the huge Superior National Forest. This area is about 27 miles southwest of Grand Marais and 56 miles northeast of Two Harbors.
Nearby Natural Attractions
You'll find many cool places to visit close to Tofte. These include Temperance River State Park, which is great for hiking. There's also the Gitchi-Gami State Trail for biking and the Superior Hiking Trail for long walks. Don't miss the Carlton Peak Lookout for amazing views!
Main Roads in Tofte
The two main roads that help you get around Tofte are Minnesota Highway 61 and Cook County Road 2, also known as Sawbill Trail. A post office has been serving the community of Tofte since 1897.
Tofte's History: From Norway to Minnesota
Tofte was started in 1893 by a group of settlers from Norway. These were twin brothers, Andrew and John Tofte, along with their sister Torget and her husband Hans Engelsen. The community was named "Tofte" after the place in Norway where its founders were born.
Why the Name Changed
The settlers first wanted to call the town "Carlton." This name came from the nearby Carlton Peak. However, there was already a town named Carlton, Minnesota in the state. So, they decided to use "Tofte" instead.
Rebuilding After the Fire
In 1910, a big forest fire sadly destroyed a lot of the town. But the people of Tofte were strong and worked together to rebuild their community.
Explore Tofte: Fun Things to Do
One of the most interesting places to visit in Tofte is the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum. It opened in 1996 and is the first museum in Minnesota dedicated to commercial fishing.
Learning About Fishing History
The museum tells the story of the Scandinavian immigrants who settled along the North Shore of Lake Superior. It shows how important they were to the fishing industry from the 1880s to the 1940s. You can learn about the boats, tools, and daily lives of these brave fishermen.
Education in Tofte
All the schools in Cook County, including those for children in Tofte, are part of the Cook County ISD 166 school district.
