Summary:
The Town of Morse is in northeastern Saint Louis County in the Arrowhead of Minnesota and within 25 miles from the Canadian Border (by canoe). The northwest corner of the Township is in the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Population according to the 2010 Census: 1213 – Area: 138.1 square miles – 115.6 square miles is land and 22.5 square miles, or 16.29%, is water.
Details:
The Town of Morse is in northeastern Saint Louis County in the Arrowhead of Minnesota and within 25 miles from the Canadian Border (by canoe). The northwest corner of the Township is in the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
The township surrounds the City of Ely and lays within the heart of the Superior NationalForest. Resorts operate on the numerous lakes within the township and the townshipis a popular tourist destination. Many snowbirds have family summer cabins here and increase the summer resident population by 50% or more.
Population according to the 2010 Census: 1213
Area: 138.1 square miles; 115.6 square miles is land and 22.5 square miles, or16.29%, is water.
The Town was organized July 9, 1887 and includes four townships, as
delineated by the U, S. Government original survey. Only one township seems to beincluded in the original organization, but at some point, all four townships were combined into the Town of Morse.
The land was ceded to the United States in 1854 by the Lake Superior Chippewa, who retained hunting, fishing and ricing rights. Prior to the Chippewa the Dakota had occupied much of the area. Archeological digs have uncovered historical materials back to the Paleo Indian’s ten thousand plus years ago who occupied the land as the glaciers receded.
In “The History of Morse Township” 1987 researched and written by former town clerk Geraldine Floyd, she quotes the early survey descriptions by G. Stuntz of two of the four component townships.
T. 62, R. 13
“This Township is situated on the height of land that separates the waters that flow West into Vermillion Lake from those that flow East into Basswood Lake….In the Northern and North-Western part there is considerable good timber. During the glacial period this whole region received a terrible abrading. The crust of ridges is broken down and grooves and the fragments scattered to the South….A belt of Magnetic slates extends across the Northern part of the town that greatly disturb a Magnetic Needle. Plenty of fish… [including walleye and northern pike and bass] are found in the Lakes.”
T. 63, R. 13
“This Township is exceedingly rocky and hilly. All the Northern part and most of the Islands in Burntside Lake are of granite formation….
Burnt Side Lake with its hundred Islands of dome like granite nobs, thickly covered with dark green pine forest, and the crystal purity of its waters forms on of the most enchanting scenes of Mountain Lake and forest in America.”
Floyd’s history of Morse Township is on file in the Ely/Winton Historical Society office and the history of the area on display in the Society’s museum located at Vermillion Community College.
The Town was named after J. C. Morse of Chicago, one of the members of the Minnesota Iron Company.”
Resources within the township that have been part of the economic history include iron ore, timber, fish, wild game and recreational (lakes, trails, forest). Entrepreneurs in the City of Ely have established footwear and outdoor clothing manufacturing and the arts community is thriving. The advent of the cyber world has drawn some professionals and business people who are seeking quality of life and whose work activites are primarily done on line.
Attractions
North American Bear Center
International Wolf Center
U. S. Forest Service visiter center (obtain BWCAW permits here)
Dorothy Molter Museum
Ely Folk School
North Arm Ski Trails
Lakes
Burntside
Little Long
Shagawa
Town Board Information:
The Town is governed by a Town Board made up of three Supervisors (elected) a clerk, a treasurer, and if the board so decides, xxx clerk and xxx treasurer (appointed by the Board). The Board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m..
Floyd interviewed her predecessor in clerk, Julia B. Purdy (1938 to 1972). Purdy noted that “…I think that people should get more involved in their government, especially the township government because they have so much to say. It’s the only government where the people set the budget, and say where the money has to be spent.” Citizens approve the budget at the annual town meeting in March.
Purpose of this Blog site
The purpose of this to aid in the communication of issues and events that impact Morse Township. Citizens have volunteered (“membership” flexible, changeable and evolving) to report on meetings and write about events. The hope is to create awareness of our local government where democracy begins and to encourage Town of Morse citizens to take an interest in and support their township government.
The site, because of its interactive feature, will allow citizens, including Town Board members, to communicate their views on issues and engage in dialog
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