Minnesota State Highway 34
Encyclopedia
Minnesota State Highway 34 is a highway
in west-central and north-central Minnesota
, which runs from its intersection
with State Highway 9
(near Interstate 94
) in Barnesville
and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with State Highways 200
and 371
in Walker
.
The route is concurrent
with U.S. Highway 59
for 16.6 miles (26.7 km) in Otter Tail
and Becker
counties near Detroit Lakes
.
Highway 34 is 103 miles (165.8 km) in length.
, Detroit Lakes
, Park Rapids
, and Walker
in west-central and north-central Minnesota.
Highway 34 passes through the Smoky Hills State Forest in Becker County
between Detroit Lakes
and Park Rapids
.
The route passes through the Chippewa National Forest
in Cass County
between Akeley
and Walker
. The western terminus for Highway 34 is its intersection
with State Highway 9
in Barnesville
, one mile from Interstate 94
.
in 1920 and west of U.S. 10 in 1933.
The section of Highway 34 east of U.S. 10, once ran along the current alignment of State Highway 225
through Ponsford
until circa
1942.
In 1953, the section of Highway 34 west of U.S. 10
was still unpaved.
At one time, Highway 34 had continued farther east. The section of present day State Highway 200
between Highway 371
(at Walker
) and U.S. Highway 2
(9-miles west of Floodwood
) was originally designated Highway 34 between 1934 and 1969.
In 2008, Highway 34 was expanded to a five-lane route through Park Rapids
on its surface street alignment.
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
in west-central and north-central 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...
, which runs from its intersection
Intersection (road)
An intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade . An intersection may be 3-way - a T junction or fork, 4-way - a crossroads, or 5-way or more...
with State Highway 9
Minnesota State Highway 9
Minnesota State Highway 9 is a highway in west-central and northwest Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 23 in New London and continues west and then north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S. Highway 2 in Fairfax Township near Crookston.This highway has...
(near Interstate 94
Interstate 94 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 94 runs east–west through the central portion of the state. The route connects the cities of Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Alexandria, St...
) in Barnesville
Barnesville, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,173 people, 865 households, and 569 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,032.8 people per square mile . There were 923 housing units at an average density of 438.7 per square mile...
and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with State Highways 200
Minnesota State Highway 200
Minnesota State Highway 200 is a highway in northwest and northeast Minnesota,which runs from North Dakota Highway 200 at the North Dakota state line near Halstad, and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...
and 371
Minnesota State Highway 371
Minnesota 371 was originally designated as US 371 from 1931 to 1973. During 1973, US 371 was re-designated Minnesota 371. The former US 371 designation was concurrent with US 2 from 1931 to 1973 between Cass Lake and Bemidji with a terminus at US 71.Subsequently,...
in Walker
Walker, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,069 people, 449 households, and 258 families residing in the city. The population density was 734.3 people per square mile . There were 517 housing units at an average density of 355.1 per square mile...
.
The route is concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with U.S. Highway 59
U.S. Route 59
U.S. Route 59 is a north–south United States highway . A latecomer to the U.S. numbered route system, U.S. 59 is now a border-to-border route, Part of NAFTA Corridor Highway System. It parallels U.S. Route 75 for nearly its entire route, never much more than away, until it veers southwest...
for 16.6 miles (26.7 km) in Otter Tail
Otter Tail County, Minnesota
Otter Tail County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 57,303. Its county seat is Fergus Falls.-History:...
and Becker
Becker County, Minnesota
Becker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 32,504. Its county seat is Detroit Lakes. A portion of the White Earth Indian Reservation extends into the county.-History:...
counties near Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
-Demographics:As of the official census of 2000, there were 7,348 people, 3,319 households, and 1,845 families permanently residing in the city. The population density was 980.4 people per square mile . There were 3,782 housing units at an average density of 504.6 per square mile...
.
Highway 34 is 103 miles (165.8 km) in length.
Route description
State Highway 34 serves as an east–west route between BarnesvilleBarnesville, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,173 people, 865 households, and 569 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,032.8 people per square mile . There were 923 housing units at an average density of 438.7 per square mile...
, Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
-Demographics:As of the official census of 2000, there were 7,348 people, 3,319 households, and 1,845 families permanently residing in the city. The population density was 980.4 people per square mile . There were 3,782 housing units at an average density of 504.6 per square mile...
, Park Rapids
Park Rapids, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,276 people, 1,476 households, and 788 families residing in the city. The population density was 547.5 people per square mile . There were 1,616 housing units at an average density of 270.1 per square mile...
, and Walker
Walker, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,069 people, 449 households, and 258 families residing in the city. The population density was 734.3 people per square mile . There were 517 housing units at an average density of 355.1 per square mile...
in west-central and north-central Minnesota.
Highway 34 passes through the Smoky Hills State Forest in Becker County
Becker County, Minnesota
Becker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 32,504. Its county seat is Detroit Lakes. A portion of the White Earth Indian Reservation extends into the county.-History:...
between Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
-Demographics:As of the official census of 2000, there were 7,348 people, 3,319 households, and 1,845 families permanently residing in the city. The population density was 980.4 people per square mile . There were 3,782 housing units at an average density of 504.6 per square mile...
and Park Rapids
Park Rapids, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,276 people, 1,476 households, and 788 families residing in the city. The population density was 547.5 people per square mile . There were 1,616 housing units at an average density of 270.1 per square mile...
.
The route passes through the Chippewa National Forest
Chippewa National Forest
Chippewa National Forest is a National Forest located in northcentral Minnesota, United States, in the counties of Itasca, Cass, and Beltrami. Forest headquarters are located in Cass Lake, Minnesota. There are local ranger district offices in Blackduck, Deer River, and Walker.-History and...
in Cass County
Cass County, Minnesota
Cass County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 28,567. Its county seat is Walker. A portion of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is in the county.-Geography:...
between Akeley
Akeley, Minnesota
Akeley is a city in Hubbard County, Minnesota, USA. The population was 432 at the 2010 census.Minnesota State Highways 34 and 64 are two of the main arterial routes in the community.-Demographics:...
and Walker
Walker, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,069 people, 449 households, and 258 families residing in the city. The population density was 734.3 people per square mile . There were 517 housing units at an average density of 355.1 per square mile...
. The western terminus for Highway 34 is its intersection
Intersection (road)
An intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade . An intersection may be 3-way - a T junction or fork, 4-way - a crossroads, or 5-way or more...
with State Highway 9
Minnesota State Highway 9
Minnesota State Highway 9 is a highway in west-central and northwest Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 23 in New London and continues west and then north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S. Highway 2 in Fairfax Township near Crookston.This highway has...
in Barnesville
Barnesville, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,173 people, 865 households, and 569 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,032.8 people per square mile . There were 923 housing units at an average density of 438.7 per square mile...
, one mile from Interstate 94
Interstate 94 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 94 runs east–west through the central portion of the state. The route connects the cities of Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Alexandria, St...
.
History
State Highway 34 was authorized east of U.S. 10U.S. Route 10 in Minnesota
U.S. Route 10 is a major divided highway for almost all of its length in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The route runs through the central portion of the state, following closely the alignment of the former Northern Pacific Railway and connects the cities of Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Wadena, Little...
in 1920 and west of U.S. 10 in 1933.
The section of Highway 34 east of U.S. 10, once ran along the current alignment of State Highway 225
Minnesota State Highway 225
Minnesota State Highway 225 is a highway in north-central Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with Becker County Road 26 in the town of Ponsford and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 34 in Osage Township of Becker County.The route is in length...
through Ponsford
Ponsford, Minnesota
Ponsford is an unincorporated community in Becker County, Minnesota, United States.The community is located west of Park Rapids on Minnesota State Highway 225.Minnesota State Highway 34 is nearby....
until circa
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1942.
In 1953, the section of Highway 34 west of U.S. 10
U.S. Route 10 in Minnesota
U.S. Route 10 is a major divided highway for almost all of its length in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The route runs through the central portion of the state, following closely the alignment of the former Northern Pacific Railway and connects the cities of Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Wadena, Little...
was still unpaved.
At one time, Highway 34 had continued farther east. The section of present day State Highway 200
Minnesota State Highway 200
Minnesota State Highway 200 is a highway in northwest and northeast Minnesota,which runs from North Dakota Highway 200 at the North Dakota state line near Halstad, and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...
between Highway 371
Minnesota State Highway 371
Minnesota 371 was originally designated as US 371 from 1931 to 1973. During 1973, US 371 was re-designated Minnesota 371. The former US 371 designation was concurrent with US 2 from 1931 to 1973 between Cass Lake and Bemidji with a terminus at US 71.Subsequently,...
(at Walker
Walker, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,069 people, 449 households, and 258 families residing in the city. The population density was 734.3 people per square mile . There were 517 housing units at an average density of 355.1 per square mile...
) and U.S. Highway 2
U.S. Route 2 in Minnesota
U.S. Highway 2 is a highway in northwest and northeast Minnesota, which runs from the Red River at East Grand Forks and continues east to Duluth, where the route crosses the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge over the Saint Louis Bay. The route connects the cities of East Grand Forks, Bemidji, Grand...
(9-miles west of Floodwood
Floodwood, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 503 people , 254 households, and 112 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,131.9 people per square mile . There were 290 housing units at an average density of 652.6 per square mile...
) was originally designated Highway 34 between 1934 and 1969.
In 2008, Highway 34 was expanded to a five-lane route through Park Rapids
Park Rapids, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,276 people, 1,476 households, and 788 families residing in the city. The population density was 547.5 people per square mile . There were 1,616 housing units at an average density of 270.1 per square mile...
on its surface street alignment.