IFalls might not be here if it weren’t for the Rainy Lake Goldrush at the end of the 19th century.
George W. Davis was panning for gold on Little American Island when he found some in a quartz vein. Word spread like wildfire and prospectors from all over the country flocked to Rainy Lake to try and strike it rich.
Just over a year afterward, the little mining town of Rainy Lake City was founded, and proper operations by the Bevier Mining and Milling Company were up and running.
Rainy Lake City rapidly grew into a bustling community, boasting a population of 400 to 500 people at its peak. Its residents lived in diverse accommodations, ranging from tents and log houses to tar-paper shacks. The town’s infrastructure included general stores, hotels, restaurants, saloons, and even a newspaper, The Rainy Lake Journal.
The gold rush led to the establishment of several mines across the area. The Little American Mine was the most notable, consistently producing gold during its initial years. Other mines in the area were short-lived, a whopping 13 of them can still be visited in Voyageurs National Park.
Despite its promising start, Rainy Lake City’s fortunes waned as quickly as they rose. The mines’ low productivity meant that the returns could not sustain the excitement. By 1898, the rush was over, and mining operations began shutting down. The Little American Mine, the last to remain active, ceased operations in 1901.
As the gold dried up, so did the town. Its residents, seeking better opportunities, moved on. Many relocated to Koochiching village, carrying their dreams and experiences with them. By 1901, Rainy Lake City had become a ghost town. That same year, Koochiching was renamed and incorporated to the city of International Falls.
Although Rainy Lake City vanished, its legacy lingers. The mine tailings were transported to the Falls, where they were used to stabilize the streets, leading locals to proudly claim their roads were “paved with gold”.
