Becker County is located in the northwest corner of Minnesota and is part of the Red River Valley region. The county covers an area of 1,196 square miles and is home to nearly 32,000 residents. The western portion of the county is dominated by the White Earth Indian Reservation, which covers about one-third of the entire county. The remainder of Becker County consists primarily of rolling hills and prairies. The highest point in Becker County is located near Wolf Lake at 1,716 feet above sea level. Numerous rivers and streams run through Becker County, including the Leaf River, Wild Rice River, and Cormorant Creek. There are also several large lakes including Big Pine Lake, Little Mantrap Lake, Round Lake, and Wolf Lake. Much of Becker County has been left in its natural state with many forests still standing tall among the rolling hills and prairies.
Country Seat and Other Main Cities of Becker County, Minnesota
The county seat of Becker County is Detroit Lakes, located in the central-southern portion of the county. This city has a population of over 9,000 and serves as the economic hub for the area. Detroit Lakes is home to many local businesses, shops, restaurants, and recreational activities. The city also hosts several annual festivals such as the Minnesota State Fair and the Lakes Jam Music Festival.
Not far from Detroit Lakes is Lake Park, which has a population of about 1,000 people. This small town is located on Big Cormorant Lake and offers beautiful views of the lake along with some great fishing opportunities. Nearby Frazee is another small town with a population of about 1,500 people. Frazee has a vibrant downtown area with many historic buildings still standing today.
In northwestern Becker County lies White Earth Indian Reservation, which covers about one-third of the entire county. This reservation was established in 1867 and is home to over 6,000 members of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe tribe. The reservation offers visitors a unique glimpse into Native American culture while providing access to many outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, fishing and camping.
Becker County also includes several other small towns such as Ogema (population 556), Wolf Lake (population 250), Audubon (population 707) and Ponsford (population 725). All these towns are surrounded by beautiful landscapes that offer plenty of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy year-round. See cities in Minnesota.
History of Becker County, Minnesota
Becker County was established in 1858 and is named after George Loomis Becker, a territorial legislator from St. Paul. The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe people, who were displaced when the reservation system was created in 1867. The county land was mainly used for farming and logging until the early 1900s when tourism began to rise.
The first settlers arrived in the area in 1871 and soon after, Detroit Lakes became the county seat. It quickly grew into a bustling town with many businesses and attractions that attracted people from all over the region. The nearby resorts of Lake Park, White Earth Lake, and Wolf Lake also began to draw visitors from around Minnesota and other nearby states.
During World War II, Becker County saw an influx of people as Fort Totten was constructed near Detroit Lakes to serve as a training center for soldiers going overseas. After the war ended, many of these soldiers stayed in Becker County which led to an increase in population growth.
Today, Becker County is still largely rural but has become increasingly popular with tourists due to its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. It is home to several large lakes such as Big Pine Lake, Little Mantrap Lake, Round Lake, and Wolf Lake which offer great fishing opportunities throughout the year. There are also many forests that still remain untouched providing plenty of areas for hiking and camping.
Economy of Becker County, Minnesota
Becker County, Minnesota is largely rural and has a population of over 32,000. The county’s economy is largely based on agriculture, with farming and ranching providing much of the employment in the area. The main crops grown are wheat, corn, oats and soybeans. In addition to farming, there is also a significant forestry industry that provides jobs for many residents.
The tourism industry also plays an important role in the economy of Becker County. With its beautiful lakes and forests, the county is a popular destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts from all over the Midwest. There are numerous resorts located around the lakes which provide visitors with access to camping, fishing, boating and other outdoor activities.
In addition to agriculture and tourism, Becker County also has several small businesses that provide goods and services to local residents. These include restaurants, retail stores, auto repair shops and other services such as law firms and medical offices. There are also several manufacturing companies that employ many people in the area including food processing plants, wood product manufacturers and industrial machinery makers.
The economy of Becker County has been relatively stable over time but has been affected by changes in global markets as well as natural disasters such as floods or droughts that can have a negative impact on agricultural production. Despite these challenges however, the county continues to experience slow but steady growth as more people move into the area looking for additional job opportunities or simply looking to enjoy its beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation activities.