There are a lot of beautiful small towns in Minnesota. This one in particular is beloved by many, though its history is known by few, and it’s the perfect place to plan a trip in the coming months for the 11 reasons we’re about to share. If you figure out what city we’re talking about before we get to the end, tell us which clue gave it away for you in the comments!

1. It's worth visiting this place for the ancient history alone.
Flickr/McKay Savage
It all started over 10,000 years ago when a massive glacier... yes, like this one (Argentina)... stopped at the edge of a valley.
As the glacier receded it left ridges, which would turn into the hills of the current town.
Flickr/David
The bedrock beneath the town is some of the oldest on Earth.
2. Then, it had a rich history of Ojibwe (Chippewa).
Wikipedia/Minnesota Historical Society
By 1895 this place was a small settlement of lumberjacks and tradesmen, among others. It was incorporated in 1896, and the first tourists arrived shortly after.
Wikipedia/Minnesota Historical Center
The Battle of Sugar Point was fought in the area in 1898, which catalyzed the events leading to the creation of the Chippewa National Forest.
3. During the early 1900s the Minnesota State Sanatorium for Consumptives or Ah-Gwah-Ching Center was opened nearby to treat tuberculosis patients and it later became a state nursing home, before being closed and torn down.
Wikimedia/Charles J. Hibbard
4. The town is located in beautiful Northern MN, in Cass County, and the drive is always serene.
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen
5. Not to mention, the town is on the water of Minnesota's 3rd largest lake, and the bay is the perfect place to spend a summer day.
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen
6. Its location is also adjacent to many of Minnesota's favorite lakeside resorts.
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen

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7. The downtown is adorable and filled with good food and shopping.
Google Maps
8. The surrounding area is a great place for boating and sailing.
Flickr/Bill McChesney
9. Wildlife sightings.
Flickr/Bill McChesney
Especially loons and eagles around the lake!
10. And of course fishing!
Wikimedia/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
11. Speaking of fishing, this town is, most importantly, the host of the International Eelpout Festival.
Flickr/International Eelpout Festival
It's when Northern MN gets a little crazy, and has a lot of fun celebrating one of the weirdest fish around.
Flickr/International Eelpout Festival
Some people even jump in the lake.
Flickr/International Eelpout Festival
If you want to go, the 2016 festival is from February 18th-21st.
And if you haven't guessed it yet, this wonderful town is Walker! Who's ready for a vacation?
Flickr/Greg Gjerdingen
Because it's there and it's waiting for you!

Walker is just one of Minnesota’s many amazing towns, so if you think there’s another town that EVERYONE should visit, tell us where and why on the Only in Minnesota Facebook Page, and maybe even share a photo or two!

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