The Grand Rapids Area has attracted visitors for many years because of the more than 1,000 beautiful clear lakes in the area.
East is the Iron Range, the spectacular North Shore and Duluth.
West is the Headwaters Region of Bemidji, Park Rapids, Little Falls and St. Cloud. 1900 - Work constructing a dam across the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids commences to utilize the great water power the river provides. 1974 - Gov. Wendell Anderson proclaimed Tuesday, June 18, as Myles W. Reif Day in Minnesota, then joined the Blandin Paper Company president at official groundbreaking ceremonies for the Blandin plant expansion in Grand Rapids. It will be named in memory of Myles W. Reif, the Blandin Paper Company president and civic leader who died last spring. The Myles Reif Performing Arts Center opened in 1979 and has since featured more than 10,000 exhibits, shows, and performances.