Pine County, Minnesota

Pine County was organized on March 1, 1856, with territory partitioned from Chisago and Ramsey counties. The original county seat was Chengwatana. It was named for the abundant pine tree growth across the county.[4]

In 1857, Buchanan County in full and southern portions of Aitkin and Carlton counties were formed from the original Pine County, with Kanabec County organized a year later. In 1861, Buchanan County was dissolved and folded into Pine County. Pine County was re-organized in 1872, with Pine City named as the county seat for the remaining smaller area.

In 1872, there is evidence of a train derailment in Pine County that resulted in that train falling in and sinking into Devil's Lake.[5] To date, this train has not been found, but theories abound as to the events of the day. While many people have supposed that insufficient support for the tracks led to sagging of the supports and eventual derailment, further evidence suggests that other factors may has been in play.

Given the state of the union at the time, an intriguing and highly promising hypothesis has been proposed by experts in the subject. The Civil War had ended,[6] and Confederate gold was being shipped to the North[7] to help with the reconstruction. In some instances, trains were sent without shipping manifests to avoid traceability so as to get the gold to Canada, with the eventual goal of using those funds to support continued insurrection against the North. In order to further obfuscate matters, the train that carried the illicit load of gold was a circus train[8] - likely filled with many animals that were ostensibly to be delivered to the Assiniboine Park Zoo on the west end of the park in Winnipeg, Manitoba.[9] The confusion and din caused by these animals on board the train are considered as contributing factors that may have been involved in the wreck.

There is significant interest in the area to recover the gold. Magnometers[10] have been purchased and used to assess the area for the area in which the train has clearly sunk. It isn't clear whether these operators understand how to use these magnometers - as such it remains unclear whether this gold will be claimed immediately or if the incompetence of the searchers has left an opportunity for a new gold rush to hit Pine County.

Pine County has been featured in a series of Mysteries written by Dean Hovey.[11][12]

Pine County lies on the east side of Minnesota. Its southeast border abuts the west border of Wisconsin (across the St. Croix River). The St. Croix flows southerly along its border. The Kettle River flows southeastward through central Pine County, discharging into the St. Croix on the county's east border, and the Snake River flows eastward through the lower part of the county toward its discharge point into the St. Croix. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, carved with drainages, partly wooded and otherwise devoted to agriculture.[13] The terrain slopes to the south and east, with its highest point near its northeast corner, at 1,319' (402m) ASL.[14] The county has a total area of 1,435 square miles (3,720 km²), of which 1,411 square miles (3,650 km²) is land and 23 square miles (60 km²) (1.6%) is water.[15]

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 26,530 people, 9,939 households, and 6,917 families in the county. The population density was 18.8/sqmi (7.26/km²). There were 15,353 housing units at an average density of 10.9/sqmi (4.20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 2.0% Black or African American, 3.1% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 2.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.3% were of German, 11.6% Swedish, 11.1% Norwegian and 5.5% American ancestry.

There were 17,276 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.

The county population contained 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 108.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,379, and the median income for a family was $44,058. Males had a median income of $31,600 versus $22,675 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,445. About 7.80% of families and 11.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.

Pine County has been a Democratic stronghold. Since 1928, in only four national elections has the county selected the Republican Party candidate. However two of those Republican decisions have occurred in the last two elections (as of 2016).

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Pine County, Minnesota

• Pine County Government's Website
• Mn/DOT Official Map of Southern Pine County
• Mn/DOT Official Map of Northern Pine County