Makinen is an

unincorporated community An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...

in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States. The community is located southeast of the city of

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...

, and southeast of the city of

Eveleth Eveleth is a city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,718 at the 2010 census. U.S. Highway 53 and State Highway 37 (MN 37) are two of the main routes in Eveleth. Eveleth was the site of the conflict that resu ...

, at the intersection of Saint Louis County Road 16 and County Road 108. U.S. Highway 53 is nearby.

Geography

The center of Makinen is located at the intersection of Wilson Road (County Road 16) and Long Lake Road (County Road 108). The Makinen Post Office]( ZIP code 55763), Makinen Community Center, and the Makinen Market (closed July 2016) are in this vicinity. County Road 16 takes a northern jog near the center of Makinen. This section of County Road 16 underwent re-construction and re-routing from 2006 to 2008. The former "corner" intersection has been rounded out so travelers on County Road 16 no longer have to slow down as much. Mud Hen Creek flows through the community.

Markham Markham may refer to: It may also refer to brand of of clothing which originates from South Africa which saw it's establishment in 1873. Biology * Markham's storm-petrel (''Oceanodroma markhami''), a seabird species found in Chile and Colombia * ...

and

Palo Palo may refer to: Places * Palo, Argentina, a village in Argentina * Palo, Estonia, village in Meremäe Parish, Võru County, Estonia * Palo, Huesca, municipality in the province of Huesca, Spain * Palo, Iowa, United States, a town located wit ...

are other nearby communities, from which some residents obtain mail service from Makinen.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census website, the population of Makinen in 2010 was 554 people. This appears to represent the U.S. Census Tract area CTA and not the actual ZIP Code area.

Education

Most students in grades K through twelve attend classes either in nearby Cherry or

Aurora An aurora (plural: auroras or aurorae), also commonly known as the polar lights, is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of bri ...

. Many Makinen students attended school in

Cotton Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose, and can contain minor pe ...

until 2011, when the Cotton School was closed. Other nearby communities include

, Gilbert, Biwabik,

Hibbing Hibbing is a city in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 16,214 at the 2020 census. The city was built on mining the rich iron ore of the Mesabi Iron Range and still relies on that industrial activity today. At th ...

, and

History

Finnish farming developed next in the region to the west of McDavitt Township, in the townships of Lavell and Cherry. The most important Finnish clusters developed in Cherry (Alavus), Corbin, Forbes, Makinen and the Saint Louis River, while lesser numbers of Finns were scattered throughout the whole region. Makinen received its name from John Makinen who, together with John Kovaniemi, kept a store and post office there from 1905 on. According to several current residents, Makinen was founded in 1900 by John Makinen. The former name of the area was ''Corbin'', however this name was not available to be used when Makinen was founded. Makinen held a "Diamond Jubilee" celebration in 1975, and a Centennial celebration in 2000. A historic Finnish pioneer farm is located in southeastern Makinen, once owned by Eli Wirtanen. The surrounding community hosts a Wirtanen Pioneer Farm festival that takes place for one weekend in September every year. The Makinen Volunteer Fire Department moved from the lower level of the Makinen Community Center to the building that formerly housed Makinen Elementary School (#79).

References

* Rand McNally Road Atlas – 2007 edition – Minnesota entry * Official State of Minnesota Highway Map – 2011/2012 edition {{authority control Unincorporated communities in St. Louis County, Minnesota Unincorporated communities in Minnesota