Kettle River, Minnesota -A Look at the Past 100 Years is a new book, compiled by Betty (Lampel) Lehet relating the history of the village of Kettle River from it’s beginning in 1909 when the Soo Line Railroad put it on the map, to the present time. This history is told in newspaper articles, photographs and other historical papers from the John Manni and Edwin Manni collections, (John was Betty’s father’s uncle and Edwin his cousin.) the Moose Lake Area Historical Society, and from the personal collections of Betty and her mother, Lillian Lampel.

In 1909 the Soo Line Railroad was built and a town site named Finland was established. However, there was another town in Lake County named Finland, and problems arose with freight shipments going to the wrong place. When the post office was built in 1913 it was decided to name both sides of the tracks Kettle River.

Through the determination of the pioneers, at one time Kettle River had six co-op businesses: the Kalevala Cooperative Telephone Ass’n., the Kettle River Farmer’s Cooperative Mercantile Ass’n., the Kettle River Co-op Creamery Ass’n, the C.A.P. Co-op Oil Ass’n., the Carlton County Co-op Power Ass’n., Kalevala Co-op Hall, and the Kettle River Co-op Locker Plant. Two of these businesses still operate in Kettle River: the oil company now known as Federated Co-ops, Inc. and the power company as Lake Country Power.

The Forest Fires of 1918 destroyed all of Kettle River except the brick bank building. Edwin Manni was instrumental in erecting a monument to all those who lost their lives in and after the fire.

May and Pa Kettle Days began as a yearly event in 1985 on the second weekend of August. Each year a Grand Marshall, Ma and Pa Kettle and Miss Kettle River are chosen.

The 186 page book may be purchased for $16 (tax included) at Blue Bear Restaurant, Lakeside Traders

in Moose Lake, the Moose Lake Area Historical Society (Depot) or you may contact Betty Lehet at 485-4756.

Books may be ordered by mail by sending a check in the amount of $19.00, which includes postage and handling to Betty Lehet, 94840 Sunny Beach Road, Moose Lake MN 55767

Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Depot Annex Fund of the MLA Historical Society.