hinckleymn.com VISITORS GUIDE 2020 EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA Hinckley | Sandstone | Moose Lake | Pine City GET AWAY TO IT ALL! Come have a different kind of fun! You’ll find 24/7 gaming, plus burgers, buffets, bars, and big acts you can see live. C’mon over — we can’t wait to see you! WELCOME TO HINCKLEY As we begin another exciting year of providing visitors with all the essential “insider” information about Hinckley and East Central Minnesota, I’m reminded of the old adage that, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” While we seem to get less walk-in and phone inquiries than CONTENTS we once did, the volume of queries via the internet has more than made up for those declines. So the way that people are getting their information has certainly changed. But, what hasn’t changed is the type of information and questions that prospective visitors ask about. The most commonly asked Welcome to Hinckley question is still, what are the essential things that should be seen and done while visiting Hinckley? History & Heritage 3 Every visit should include a world-famous caramel roll from Tobies. Daggett’s and Chris’ also offer Downtown Hinckley delicious, fresh bakery goods daily. For a relaxing, family-style meal, Tobies, the Whistlestop Cafe, and Bear Creek Tavern offer a wide Sandstone 10 variety of menu choices. If you like steak, The Winds Steakhouse is your place. If you prefer a pizza or burger, then stop into Farmers Café or The Final Score. Moose Lake 12 With more than 2500 slot machines, pull tabs, blackjack and poker, Grand Casino Hinckley is the quintessential destination for gaming aficionados. Pine City 14 Grand Casino Hinckley hosts world-class musicians and entertainment acts throughout the year at its convention center and outdoor amphitheater. Live entertainment acts appear at the Rival House. Hinckley and Pine City both offer free summer concerts in the park, showcasing popular local and Lodging & Accommodations 16 regional acts. Revisit our area’s rich and colorful heritage at The Hinckley Fire Museum, Snake River Fur Post and Campgrounds & Resorts 17 Pine County Historical Museum. Bring the entire family and get your learn on. The Willard Munger Trail is perfect for a leisurely bike ride or snowmobile tour. St. Croix and Banning Meeting & Convention Space 18 State Parks offer a multitude of camping, hiking, canoeing and kayaking opportunities on the Kettle and St. Croix Rivers. Hinckley Corn and Clover, Sandstone Quarry Days and Moose Lake Agate Days are popular summer Restaurants 19 celebrations for residents and visitors alike. The Hinckley Grand Celebration powwow celebrates native heritage through dance. Outdoor Activities & Recreation 20 Nothing is more relaxing than a long soak in a hot tub at America’s Best Value Inn, Days Inn, The Grand Casino Hotel, Grand Hinckley Inn or Grand Northern Inn. If home away from home is more your State Parks & Forests 21 style, be sure to book a stay at the Grand RV Park. Their chalets provide all the conveniences of home, away from home. There’s even a pool and onsite store to ensure your stay is more fun and convenient. Area Golf Courses 22 Whatever your interest, Hinckley has something fun and exciting for everyone. With so many places to go, things to see and activities to do, you may have to visit more than once to truly discover the Entertainment 23 experience that makes this “Distinctly Hinckley.” For your FREE visitors guide call or visit us online: Shopping in Hinckley 24 800-952-4282 www.hinckleymn.com Historic Sites 25 The Covers Calendar of Events 26 Front Cover: Photo courtesy of Tony Vavricka, Hard Water Sports Published by: Hinckley Convention & Visitors Bureau Other photos courtesy of: $ Bargains 29 Aileen Croupe Grand Casino Hinckley Terri Bullock Pine City Pioneer Emilee Franklin/Pine County Courier Al Rose/Star Gazette Grand National Golf Course Kevin Anderson Lupe Buzo Jennifer Yocum-Stans/Hinckley News Lenora Ludzack Nichole Pitreski Osprey Wilds COPYRIGHT® 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. The Publisher has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the material in the Hinckley Area Visitors Guide. However, as unpredictable changes and errors do occur, the publisher can assume no responsibility or liability for errors, changes or omissions. www.hinckleymn.com • Hinckley Convention & Visitors Bureau • 1-800-952-4282 3 HINCKLEY GPS: 46-008469 N 092-558429 W EARLY HINCKLEY: THE FIRE The Ojibwe had lived near the St. Croix River since the mid-1800’s, amidst the natural wealth the land had to offer. Because of the abundance of white pine trees in the Hinckley area, loggers migrated here and built the first saw mill in 1869. That same year, the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad pushed into Hinckley With the coming of the railroad, the lumber industry boomed and for twenty years, Hinckley was a growing, prosperous town. On September 1, 1894, all of that changed. With blowing winds, low humidity and less than two inches of summer rain, the area was a prime target for fire. Drought fires were common along the railroad tracks and logging camps, since loggers would set fire to slash before moving on. Saturday, September 1, 1894, began as another oppressively hot day with smaller fires threatening area towns. To add to the problem, a huge layer of cool air from a temperature inversion held down the heat, smoke and gasses of these fires. Two fires eventually joined together, creating one large fire that penetrated the inversion, reaching the cool air above. That air came rushing down into the fires to create a vortex (a tornado of flames), which quickly grew larger, becoming a fierce firestorm. The fire first destroyed the towns of Mission Creek and Pokegama (now Brook Park) before reaching Hinckley Fire Museum Hinckley. When it was over, the firestorm had completely 320-384-7338 destroyed 6 towns. More than 480 square miles lay black Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday in May and smoldering. The firestorm was devastating; it lasted Tuesday thru Sunday in June, September & October four hours and destroyed everything in its path. The death Monday thru Sunday in July & August toll exceeded 400. 5 Blocks West of I-35 Downtown Hinckley Museum ¿ Antique & Gift Shop Little Mermaid Café EXPLORE STORIES OF THE FUR TRADE Café *Closed on Monday Tues-Sat 7:30am-2:30pm Research Library Sun 9am-2:30pm Model Railroad Project Museum & Shop One Room School *Closed on Monday Event & Banquet Rooms Tues-Sat 9am-4pm SEASONAL THRIFT SHOP Sun 12pm-4pm Museum Exhibits & Displays: Home & Family ® Logging Dolls and Doll Houses PINE CITY 6333 H C Andersen Alle, PO Box 123, Askov, MN 55704 320-629-6356 (320) 838-1607 MNHS.ORG www.pinecountyhistoricalsociety.org 4 www.hinckleymn.com • Hinckley Convention & Visitors Bureau • 1-800-952-4282 MN Duluth 35 Twin Cities Today, the Hinckley Fire Museum commemorates the story of the Great Fire of 1894. Housed in the WI restored depot, rebuilt just after the fire, the museum is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Exhibits include the original waiting rooms for men and women, the eating area, known as the Beanery and the Freight Room, where once an hour a 20 minute documentary about the fire is shown. Upstairs in the Depot Agent’s Apartment, life in the 1890’s is recreated in the five-room living space. A replica “relief house” is also onsite for those interested in the post-fire reconstruction era. The museum is open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in May; Tuesday through Sunday in June, September & October, and Monday thru Sunday in July & August. Group tours are also available by request. Hinckley Fire Museum 106 Old Hwy 61 • Hinckley, MN 55037 • 320-384-7338 • hinckleyfiremuseum.com GRANDMA’S THRIFT STORE • Open 7 Days a Week New & Used Goods • Fresh Deli & Bakery Goods Daily • Always Fresh Produce 2 Locations To Shop! • Quality Meat Department 123 AND 125 Main St. E Quality Service Downtown Hinckley For Over 40 Years 320-629-7754 Downtown Hinckley – (320) 384-6185 Walk-in care you can trust. • Fresh Burgers and Homemade Food • Bright Atmosphere and Friendly Staff • Larger Selection of Beer and Cocktails • On and Off Sale Available www.gatewayclinic.com visit us on our website bearcreektavern.net or like us on facebook Sandstone Moose Lake Hinckley 39109 State Highway 48 320-384-6705 320-245-2250 218-485-4491 320-384-6618 www.hinckleymn.com • Hinckley Convention & Visitors Bureau • 1-800-952-4282 5 HINCKLEY GPS: 46-008469 N 092-558429 W Schedule of Events Located halfway between Duluth and the Twin Cities, Hinckley is a April 4 community of great historic importance Easter Egg Hunt to east central Minnesota, as well as a June 4 popular destination for vacationers of Sweet Summer Sounds Concert every interest. at the Park, Grand Casino Hinckley (GCH) offers West Side Park live entertainment, fine dining and a June 11 diverse selection of gaming options, Sweet Summer Sounds Concert including: slot machines, black jack and at the Park, West Side Park poker. When it comes to accommodations, Hinckley is unsurpassed in its variety June 18 and exceptional hospitality. With 6 hotels and over 1000 rooms there’s plenty Sweet Summer Sounds Concert at the Park, of room for the whole family. West Side Park Whether it’s a delicious caramel roll or hearty family-style dining at Tobies or an elegant dinner at The Winds Steakhouse, visitors are sure to enjoy a great June 19-21 Grand Celebration PowWow, meal at any of Hinckley’s diverse array of dining establishments.