International Falls, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
International Falls is a city in and the county seat
of Koochiching County, Minnesota
, United States
. The population was 6,424 at the 2010 census.
International Falls is located on the Rainy River
directly across from Fort Frances
, Ontario
, Canada
. The two cities are connected by the Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge
. Voyageurs National Park
lies 11 miles east of International Falls. There is a major U.S. Customs Port of Entry on the International Falls side of the toll bridge, and a Canadian Customs entry point on the north side of the bridge.
word Gojijiing or Cree
Kocicīhk, both meaning "at the place of inlets," referring to the neighboring Rainy Lake
and River
. The European inhabitants gave the names Rainy Lake and Rainy River to the nearby bodies of water because of the mist-like rain present at the falls where the lake flowed into the river.
On August 10, 1901, the village was incorporated and two years later its name was changed to International Falls in recognition of the river's role as a border between the United States and Canada. It was incorporated as a city in 1909.
Realizing the potential for water power and mills in the area, industrialist E.W. Backus
, president of the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company in the early 20th century, built a dam on the Rainy River to power the company's mills. Purchased by Boise Cascade Corporation in 1965, and sold to an investment group in 2003, the company remains the largest business and employer in the area. According to Forbes magazine, it is the coldest city in the continental United States.
, the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²), of which, 6.3 square miles (16.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (2.03%) is water.
(Koppen
Dfb), with long, bitterly cold winters and humid and warm summers. January averages 2.7 °F (-16.3 °C), and lows fall to 0 °F (-17.8 °C) on approximately 64 nights per season. Highs only reach the freezing point 12–13 days from December to February, and in combination with a seasonal snowfall of 68 inches (173 cm), snow cover is thick and long−lasting. Spring, and more especially autumn, are short but mild transition seasons. Average summer highs peak at 79 °F (26.1 °C) in July and August, with relatively cool nights. Precipitation averages nearly 24 inches (609.6 mm) per year, and is concentrated in the warmer months. The all−time record high temperature is 103 F, while the all−time record low is −55F, a range of 158 degrees.
for the slogan has been challenged on several occasions by the small town of Fraser
, Colorado
. Officials from Fraser claimed usage since 1956, International Falls since 1948. The two towns came to an agreement in 1986, when International Falls paid Fraser $2,000 to relinquish its "official" claim. However, in 1996, International Falls inadvertently failed to renew its federal trademark, although it had kept its state trademark up to date. Fraser then filed to gain the federal trademark. International Falls submitted photographic proof that its 1955 Pee Wee hockey
team traveled to Boston, Massachusetts
with the slogan. After several years of legal battles, the United States Patent and Trademark Office
officially registered the slogan with International Falls on January 29, 2008, Registration Number 3375139. Only a few days after announcing its success in the trademark battle, International Falls had a daily record low temperature of −40°F (−40°C), beating a previous record of −37°F (−38.3°C) in 1967.
Besides Fraser, there are still many towns that are smaller and annually overall colder than International Falls, many of these being mountain communities in the Rockies, as well as several in northern Minnesota. International Falls is still called the "Icebox of the Nation" after winning the claim against Fraser in court. One thing that does help or hinder International Falls is that Fraser is located within the Rocky Mountains
which would help to depress low temperatures while International Falls is located on relatively flat land which takes longer to cool on warm summer nights. It should also be noted that while sub−zero temperatures are very common in high elevation, valley sites in the Rockies during the winter, maximum temperatures that remain sub−zero are quite rare, while in International Falls and much of the upper Midwest they are of relatively frequent occurrence. This is reflected in the average monthly temperatures during the winter months.
of 2010, there were 6,424 people, 2,959 households, and 1,751 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,069.3 people per square mile (412.8/km²). There were 3,264 housing units at an average density of 520.7 per square mile (201.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.30% White, 0.28% African American, 2.58% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races
, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.
There were 2,959 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples
living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,908, and the median income for a family was $41,458. Males had a median income of $41,584 versus $20,053 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,171. About 10.0% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
International Falls is home to two commercial radio stations; KGHS
(1230 AM) and KSDM
(104.1 FM), owned and operated by Red Rock Radio.
Two non-commercial radio stations in International Falls; KBHW
(99.5 FM) and KXBR
(91.9 FM), owned and operated by Heartland Christian Broadcasters, Inc.
Two Minnesota Public Radio
stations from Bemidji
; KNBJ
(88.1 FM; News) and KCRB-FM (97.7 FM; Classical).
The local Icebox Radio Theater produces radio drama
broadcasts on 106.9 FM, with a power output one watt.
CFOB-FM
(93.1 FM) also serves International Falls, and is licensed to Fort Frances, Ontario
.
Television
International Falls is part of the Duluth
television market, and is served by the following repeaters:
Local cable television service is offered by Midcontinent Communications
.
Fort Frances repeaters CBWCT
channel 5 (CBC
) and CBWFT-11
channel 15 (Radio-Canada
) are available over-the-air in International Falls; however, only CBWCT is available on Midcontinent cable.
Newspaper
The local newspaper is The Daily Journal.
(IATA: INL, ICAO: KINL) is a public airport located just south of the city. The airport has two runways. It is mostly used for general aviation but is also served by one commercial airline: Delta Air Lines
' Delta Connection
, with three daily flights to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
.
The town is served by City Cab. It is a local cab and van service, providing transportation to the region.
- promoting a geriatric product.
Also, the fictional Minnesota small town of Frostbite Falls, which was the hometown of cartoon characters Rocket "Rocky" J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose
of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
, was a spoof of the real-life International Falls. The fictional town was located in Koochiching County as well.
Setting for Robert Coover short story collection Pricksongs and Descants
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Koochiching County, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 6,424 at the 2010 census.
International Falls is located on the Rainy River
Rainy River (Minnesota-Ontario)
The Rainy River is a river, approximately long, which forms part of the U.S.-Canada border separating northern Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario....
directly across from Fort Frances
Fort Frances, Ontario
Fort Frances is a town in, and the seat of, Rainy River District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The population as of the 2006 census was 8,103 and Fort Frances' population peaked in 1971 at 9,947...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The two cities are connected by the Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge
Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge
The Fort Frances – International Falls International Bridge is a privately owned international toll bridge connecting the towns of Fort Frances, Ontario and International Falls, Minnesota across the Rainy River....
. Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park is a United States National Park in northern Minnesota near the town of International Falls. It was established in 1975. The park's name commemorates the voyageurs, French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers to frequently travel through the area...
lies 11 miles east of International Falls. There is a major U.S. Customs Port of Entry on the International Falls side of the toll bridge, and a Canadian Customs entry point on the north side of the bridge.
History
Although the International Falls area was well known to explorers, missionaries, and voyagers as early as the 17th century, it was not until April 1895 the community was platted by a teacher and preacher L. A. Ogaard for the Koochiching Company and named the community Koochiching. The word "Koochiching" comes from either OjibweOjibwe language
Ojibwe , also called Anishinaabemowin, is an indigenous language of the Algonquian language family. Ojibwe is characterized by a series of dialects that have local names and frequently local writing systems...
word Gojijiing or Cree
Cree language
Cree is an Algonquian language spoken by approximately 117,000 people across Canada, from the Northwest Territories and Alberta to Labrador, making it the aboriginal language with the highest number of speakers in Canada. It is also spoken in the U.S. state of Montana...
Kocicīhk, both meaning "at the place of inlets," referring to the neighboring Rainy Lake
Rainy Lake
Rainy Lake is a relatively large freshwater lake that straddles the border between the United States and Canada. The Rainy River issues from the west side of the lake and is harnessed to make hydroelectricity for US and Canadian locations. The U.S...
and River
Rainy River (Minnesota-Ontario)
The Rainy River is a river, approximately long, which forms part of the U.S.-Canada border separating northern Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario....
. The European inhabitants gave the names Rainy Lake and Rainy River to the nearby bodies of water because of the mist-like rain present at the falls where the lake flowed into the river.
On August 10, 1901, the village was incorporated and two years later its name was changed to International Falls in recognition of the river's role as a border between the United States and Canada. It was incorporated as a city in 1909.
Realizing the potential for water power and mills in the area, industrialist E.W. Backus
Edward Wellington Backus
Edward Wellington Backus was a timber baron, dam builder, mill owner, financier, developer of the northern reaches of Minnesota, and president of the Ontario & Minnesota Power Company and Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company...
, president of the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company in the early 20th century, built a dam on the Rainy River to power the company's mills. Purchased by Boise Cascade Corporation in 1965, and sold to an investment group in 2003, the company remains the largest business and employer in the area. According to Forbes magazine, it is the coldest city in the continental United States.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²), of which, 6.3 square miles (16.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (2.03%) is water.
Climate
International Falls, with its relatively central position in the North American continent, has a humid continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
(Koppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfb), with long, bitterly cold winters and humid and warm summers. January averages 2.7 °F (-16.3 °C), and lows fall to 0 °F (-17.8 °C) on approximately 64 nights per season. Highs only reach the freezing point 12–13 days from December to February, and in combination with a seasonal snowfall of 68 inches (173 cm), snow cover is thick and long−lasting. Spring, and more especially autumn, are short but mild transition seasons. Average summer highs peak at 79 °F (26.1 °C) in July and August, with relatively cool nights. Precipitation averages nearly 24 inches (609.6 mm) per year, and is concentrated in the warmer months. The all−time record high temperature is 103 F, while the all−time record low is −55F, a range of 158 degrees.
Icebox of the Nation
International Falls has long promoted itself as the "Icebox of the Nation"; however, the trademarkTrademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
for the slogan has been challenged on several occasions by the small town of Fraser
Fraser, Colorado
Fraser is a Statutory Town in Grand County, Colorado, United States. The population was 910 at the 2000 census. The town is in Middle Park in the valley of the Fraser River along U.S. Highway 40...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. Officials from Fraser claimed usage since 1956, International Falls since 1948. The two towns came to an agreement in 1986, when International Falls paid Fraser $2,000 to relinquish its "official" claim. However, in 1996, International Falls inadvertently failed to renew its federal trademark, although it had kept its state trademark up to date. Fraser then filed to gain the federal trademark. International Falls submitted photographic proof that its 1955 Pee Wee hockey
Minor hockey
Minor hockey is an umbrella term for amateur ice hockey which is played below the junior age level. Players are classified by age, with each age group playing in its own league. The rules, especially as it relates to body contact, vary from class to class...
team traveled to Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
with the slogan. After several years of legal battles, the United States Patent and Trademark Office
United States Patent and Trademark Office
The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that issues patents to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property identification.The USPTO is based in Alexandria, Virginia,...
officially registered the slogan with International Falls on January 29, 2008, Registration Number 3375139. Only a few days after announcing its success in the trademark battle, International Falls had a daily record low temperature of −40°F (−40°C), beating a previous record of −37°F (−38.3°C) in 1967.
Besides Fraser, there are still many towns that are smaller and annually overall colder than International Falls, many of these being mountain communities in the Rockies, as well as several in northern Minnesota. International Falls is still called the "Icebox of the Nation" after winning the claim against Fraser in court. One thing that does help or hinder International Falls is that Fraser is located within the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
which would help to depress low temperatures while International Falls is located on relatively flat land which takes longer to cool on warm summer nights. It should also be noted that while sub−zero temperatures are very common in high elevation, valley sites in the Rockies during the winter, maximum temperatures that remain sub−zero are quite rare, while in International Falls and much of the upper Midwest they are of relatively frequent occurrence. This is reflected in the average monthly temperatures during the winter months.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there were 6,424 people, 2,959 households, and 1,751 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,069.3 people per square mile (412.8/km²). There were 3,264 housing units at an average density of 520.7 per square mile (201.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.30% White, 0.28% African American, 2.58% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.
There were 2,959 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,908, and the median income for a family was $41,458. Males had a median income of $41,584 versus $20,053 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $19,171. About 10.0% of families and 14.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
Local media
RadioInternational Falls is home to two commercial radio stations; KGHS
KGHS
KGHS is a local radio station in International Falls, Minnesota, broadcasting at 1230 with 460 watts. KGHS carries Dial Global's "Good Time Oldies" format, via satellite. It also carries local news and information programming....
(1230 AM) and KSDM
KSDM
KSDM is a radio station licensed to International Falls, Minnesota, USA, the station serves the International Falls area. KSDM broadcasts a country music format, from the Dial Global network. The studios are at 519 Third Street, also with sister station KGHS. Both also share a one tower...
(104.1 FM), owned and operated by Red Rock Radio.
Two non-commercial radio stations in International Falls; KBHW
KBHW
KBHW is a radio station broadcasting a contemporary inspirational music format. Licensed to International Falls, Minnesota, USA, the station is currently owned by Heartland Christian Broadcasters, Inc.-History:...
(99.5 FM) and KXBR
KXBR
KXBR is a radio station licensed to International Falls, Minnesota, USA. The station is currently owned by Heartland Christian Broadcasters.-History:...
(91.9 FM), owned and operated by Heartland Christian Broadcasters, Inc.
Two Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio , is the flagship National Public Radio member network for the state of Minnesota. With its three services, News & Information, Classical Music and The Current, MPR operates a 42-station regional radio network in the upper Midwest serving over 8 million people...
stations from Bemidji
Bemidji, Minnesota
Bemidji is a city in Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was at 13,431 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Beltrami County. Bemidji is the most major city in North Central Minnesota and the largest commercial center between Grand Forks, North Dakota and Duluth,...
; KNBJ
KNBJ
KNBJ is a radio station licensed to Bemidji, Minnesota. The station is owned by Minnesota Public Radio , and airs MPR's "News and Information" network, originating from KNOW in Minneapolis/St. Paul.*See also Minnesota Public Radio...
(88.1 FM; News) and KCRB-FM (97.7 FM; Classical).
The local Icebox Radio Theater produces radio drama
Radio drama
Radio drama is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance, broadcast on radio or published on audio media, such as tape or CD. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story...
broadcasts on 106.9 FM, with a power output one watt.
CFOB-FM
CFOB-FM
CFOB-FM, branded as B93, is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 93.1 FM in Fort Frances, Ontario. The station airs a hot adult contemporary format....
(93.1 FM) also serves International Falls, and is licensed to Fort Frances, Ontario
Fort Frances, Ontario
Fort Frances is a town in, and the seat of, Rainy River District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The population as of the 2006 census was 8,103 and Fort Frances' population peaked in 1971 at 9,947...
.
Television
International Falls is part of the Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
television market, and is served by the following repeaters:
- K39GT channel 39 (repeating 3ABN3ABNThree Angels Broadcasting Network, or 3ABN for short, is a nonprofit, 24-hour television and radio network that primarily focuses on Christian and health-oriented programming...
, via satellite) - K45JD channel 45, repeating KQDS-TVKQDS-TVKQDS-TV is the Fox-affiliated television station for the Twin Ports and Iron Range areas of Northeastern Minnesota that is licensed to Duluth. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 17 from a transmitter west of downtown in Hilltop Park. Owned by Red River Broadcasting, the...
(FoxFox Broadcasting CompanyFox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
) - K49BU-D channel 49, PSIP 13, repeating WIRT-DT (ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
) - K51CM-D channel 51, PSIP 31, repeating WRPT (PBSPublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
) - K53CQ-D channel 53, PSIP 11, repeating KRII (NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
/ The CW / CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
(from KDLHKDLHKDLH is the CBS-affiliated television station for the Iron Range area of Northeastern Minnesota that is licensed to Duluth. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 33 from a transmitter west of downtown in Hilltop Park. Owned by the Malara Broadcast Group, the station is...
) / MyNetworkTVMyNetworkTVMyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
)
Local cable television service is offered by Midcontinent Communications
Midcontinent Communications
Midcontinent Communications is a regional cable provider, providing a triple play service of cable television, cable modem Internet service, and cable telephone service for both North Dakota and South Dakota, along with several communities in western Minnesota...
.
Fort Frances repeaters CBWCT
CBWT
CBWT is the CBC's television station in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is the only CBC station in Manitoba, since Brandon's CKX-TV closed on October 2, 2009....
channel 5 (CBC
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
) and CBWFT-11
CBWFT
CBWFT is Radio-Canada's French language television station in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is broadcast locally on channel 3 cable 10, and on Bell TV channel 118.-History:...
channel 15 (Radio-Canada
Télévision de Radio-Canada
Télévision de Radio-Canada is a Canadian French language television network. It is owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, known in French as Société Radio-Canada. Headquarters are at Maison Radio-Canada in Montreal, which is also home to the network's flagship station, CBFT-DT...
) are available over-the-air in International Falls; however, only CBWCT is available on Midcontinent cable.
Newspaper
The local newspaper is The Daily Journal.
Transportation
Falls International AirportFalls International Airport
Falls International Airport is a public airport located just south of the city of International Falls in Koochiching County, Minnesota, USA. The airport covers and has two runways...
(IATA: INL, ICAO: KINL) is a public airport located just south of the city. The airport has two runways. It is mostly used for general aviation but is also served by one commercial airline: Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
' Delta Connection
Delta Connection
Delta Connection is the name under which a number of individually owned regional airlines and one wholly owned regional carrier operate short and medium haul routes in association with Delta Air Lines Inc...
, with three daily flights to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in the five-state upper Midwest region of Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.-Overview:...
.
The town is served by City Cab. It is a local cab and van service, providing transportation to the region.
Reference in pop culture
A Sears Diehard car battery commercial was filmed here in the 1970s, playing on the city's extremely cold winter climate to promote the longevity and effectiveness of the product. It led to a parody ad - aired several times in the first (1975) season of Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
- promoting a geriatric product.
Also, the fictional Minnesota small town of Frostbite Falls, which was the hometown of cartoon characters Rocket "Rocky" J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose
Bullwinkle J. Moose
Bullwinkle J. Moose is a fictional character in the 1959–1964 animated television series Rocky and His Friends and The Bullwinkle Show, often collectively referred to as Rocky and Bullwinkle, produced by Jay Ward and Bill Scott...
of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show
The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959 to June 28, 1964 on the ABC and NBC television networks...
, was a spoof of the real-life International Falls. The fictional town was located in Koochiching County as well.
Setting for Robert Coover short story collection Pricksongs and Descants
Notable natives and residents
- Dick Dougherty Minnesota Gopher Hall of Fame Hockey, Silver Medal 1956 Olympic Games1956 Winter OlympicsThe 1956 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This celebration of the Games was held from 26 January to 5 February 1956. Cortina, which had originally been awarded the 1944 Winter Olympics, beat out...
- Edward Wellington BackusEdward Wellington BackusEdward Wellington Backus was a timber baron, dam builder, mill owner, financier, developer of the northern reaches of Minnesota, and president of the Ontario & Minnesota Power Company and Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company...
industrialist - Ernest OberholtzerErnest OberholtzerErnest Carl Oberholtzer was an American explorer, author and conservationist.Nicknamed "Ober", he was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, but he lived most of his adult life in Minnesota. Oberholtzer attended Harvard University and received a bachelor of arts degree, but left after one year of...
explorer, author, conservationist - Mary Casanova award-winning author
- Mike "Lefty" Curran USA national goalie. Professional WHA St. Paul Fighting Saints.
- Kevin ConstantineKevin ConstantineKevin Lars Constantine has coached hockey teams in the NHL, IHL, and numerous major junior hockey leagues. He is coach of HC Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss National League A.-Playing career:...
hockey coach, NHL IHLIHLIHL could refer to:* International Hockey League, the name of several different defunct hockey leagues:* International Professional Hockey League , central-eastern North America... - Dean BlaisDean BlaisDean Blais is currently the Head Coach for the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Head Coach for the United States men's national junior ice hockey team. He led Team USA to a gold medal in the IIHF 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Saskatoon, Canada, held in late December 2009 through...
hockey coach, University of Nebraska, Omaha, WCHAWestern Collegiate Hockey AssociationThe Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference.... - Tammy Faye Bakker Messner, PTLPTLPTL may refer to:* The PTL Club, a defunct television program* PTL Satellite Network, a defunct Christian cable network on which The PTL Club was shown* Praise The Lord, a television program on the Trinity Broadcasting Network...
The 700 ClubThe 700 ClubThe 700 Club is the flagship news talk show of the Christian Broadcasting Network, airing in syndication throughout the United States and Canada. In production since 1966, it is currently hosted by Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, Kristi Watts, and Gordon P. Robertson, two of whom will host on any... - Jim CrottyJim CrottyJames Richard Crotty is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and in the American Football League for the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame and was drafted in the 12th round of the 1960 NFL...
pro football NFL Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Neil SheehyNeil SheehyNeil Kane Sheehy is a retired American ice hockey player with dual citizenship. He grew up in International Falls, Minnesota....
, hockey player Calgary FlamesCalgary FlamesThe Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... - Gary SampsonGary SampsonGary Edward Sampson is a retired American ice hockey player.Born in Canada and raised in the United States, Sampson played college hockey at Boston College and was part of the U.S...
hockey player Washington CapitalsWashington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... - Bob MasonBob MasonRobert Thomas Mason is a retired American ice hockey goaltender.A member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, Mason's professional career began when he was signed as a free agent by the Washington Capitals. He had two stints with the Capitals...
, Goalie NHL 1984-1991. Coach Minnesota WildMinnesota WildThe Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... - Timothy Sheehy World Hockey AssociationWorld Hockey AssociationThe World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
- Frank YousoFrank YousoFrank Michael Youso is a former American college and professional football offensive tackle.-Pro Football Career:...
, NFL New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Arlys Johnson-MaxwellArlys Johnson-MaxwellArlys Johnson-Maxwell was a weightlifter for the United States.-Weightlifting achievements:*Senior World Champion *Seven-time Senior World Championships team member*Senior National Champion...
weightlifter Senior World Champion 1987 - Bronko NagurskiBronko NagurskiBronislau "Bronko" Nagurski was a Canadian-born American football player. He was also a successful professional wrestler, recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion.-Youth and collegiate career:...
, football player, member of the College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
and the Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
See also
- U.S. Route 53U.S. Route 53U.S. Route 53 is a north–south U.S. highway that runs for 403 miles from La Crosse, Wisconsin to northern Minnesota. It is the primary north–south route in northwestern Wisconsin, serving as a vital link between I-94 at Eau Claire, Wisconsin and the city of Duluth, Minnesota...
- U.S. Route 71U.S. Route 71U.S. Route 71 is a north–south United States highway. This original 1926 route has remained largely unchanged by encroaching Interstate highways. Currently, the highway's northern terminus is in International Falls, Minnesota at the Canadian border, at the southern end of the Fort...
- Minnesota Highway 11Minnesota State Highway 11Minnesota State Highway 11 is a highway in northwest and north-central Minnesota, which runs from North Dakota Highway 66 at the North Dakota state line and continues east to its eastern terminus at the community of Island View at Rainy Lake, near International Falls.The route follows the Rainy...
- Voyageurs National ParkVoyageurs National ParkVoyageurs National Park is a United States National Park in northern Minnesota near the town of International Falls. It was established in 1975. The park's name commemorates the voyageurs, French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers to frequently travel through the area...