Arts, parks and a thriving town square in Pine City
Pine City is set against a rural backdrop of dense forests and scenic lakes, all about an hour north of the Twin Cities. Locals choose the city of 3,000 for its outdoor recreation, artsy atmosphere, thriving small-business scene and well-regarded school system. “I was drawn back to this area because of the music and arts,” says Pine City native Becky Schueller, who now serves as executive director for the chamber of commerce. “It’s also kind of a recreational haven. People want to vacation and spend a weekend here away from the city. We like to believe they fall in love with the community, so whenever they’re looking to relocate or retire, they choose here.”
Pine City has an abundance of art and outdoor recreation
Several groups provide the community with creative programming. “We have the Pine City Arts Council, the Pine City Heritage Players Community Theater, and the Pine Center for the Arts, which is a downtown art gallery and artist space. Those three different arts groups really make it possible for the arts to thrive here,” Schueller says. For outdoor adventure, the Snake River, Pokegama Lake and Cross Lake offer year-round recreation. “We have a lot of locals that live on the lake and visitors that come up and explore or go kayaking, canoeing, boating and have all kinds of outdoor adventures,” Schueller says. The fire tower at St. Croix State Park, about 30 minutes away, has panoramic views of the area. At nearly 34,000 acres, it’s the largest state park in Minnesota. Back in town, Robinson Park is a family go-to for its playground and picnic tables. Voyageur Park has a disc golf course, open green space and a fishing pier on the Snake River. During the summer, swimmers flock to the lifeguard-monitored beach at West Side Park.
Local eats, drinks and boutiques in downtown Pine City
Robinson Park anchors the town square, a walkable hub of restaurants, small businesses and boutiques. Sauser’s Hardware, a community staple since 1909, has stayed true to its roots while expanding its offerings to include gifts and décor. Pine City Scrapbooking Co. is the largest of its kind in Minnesota. “We have Three Twenty Brewing located in our downtown area,” Schueller says. “It’s also a great place to get to know people because they host weekly bingo nights, weekly trivia nights, plus special events.” Pine City is also home to the flagship location of Pizza Pub, a laid-back pizzeria with an arcade. Groceries are available at Walmart Supercenter.
Performing arts at Pine City High School
The Pine City Public Schools District serves the area and has an enrollment of about 1,500 students. Kids can start at Pine City Elementary School, which receives a B-minus from Niche. Starting in seventh grade, students can head to B-minus-rated Pine City High School, known for its visual and performing arts programs. “Being that we’re more rural Minnesota, our student population has the option to be in sports and arts opportunities. They don’t have to choose between one or the other, and that’s brought young families to the area,” Schueller says.
Homes on the water and in subdivisions
Housing options range from new builds in subdivisions to older homes in the center of town that date back to the early 20th century. Meanwhile, cottages, cabins and waterfront estates dot the shores of Cross Lake and Snake River. The median home sale price is about $300,000, on par with the Rush City median but less than the North Branch median of $350,000. Fixer-uppers can range from $100,000 to $200,000, but most homes cost between $200,000 and $400,000. Larger waterfront properties can range from $500,000 and $800,000. Condos typically range from $200,000 to $300,000.
Pine County Fair and Art in the Park bring locals together
The Pine County Fair has been a five-day tradition for more than 130 years. The fairgrounds also host a farmers market from June through October. Music pours from Robinson Park during Art in the Park, a weekly summer concert series. Community members get together for Freedom Fest, the annual town celebration at the end of June that features a car show, kids activities, a beer garden and live music.
Access to Interstate 35 and an hour-drive to the Twin Cities
Interstate 35 runs along the west side of town and serves as the main route to the Twin Cities, about 70 miles away. Locals are also about 20 miles from the Wisconsin-Minnesota state line. Welia Health has a hospital with lab services, a pharmacy and urgent care, but the closest emergency room is about 20 miles away in Mora.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
