Virginia blends mining history, puck pride and retail growth
For more than 130 years, Virginia has been a major mining community in Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range. Its primary mining company, Cleveland-Cliffs, is a national leader in iron ore production. Virginia also serves as the commerce center for the Quad Cities, a region that includes Eveleth, Mountain Iron and Gilbert. Its vibrant downtown is home to local businesses, while the other side of the city has a commercial corridor full of national retailers. Along with mining, hockey is a longstanding tradition in the area. “Hockey is definitely a big thing around here,” says Riley Lind, a Realtor with eXp Realty who grew up in the area. “We have several outdoor ice rinks, and many people have gone on to play for the NHL.”
Century-old homes and midcentury styles with close neighbors
The median home sale price in Virginia is around $140,000. “A lot of people move here for the affordability,” Lind says. Most houses were built between the late 1800s and mid-1900s. Older homes include smaller bungalows and cottages mixed with larger American Foursquares. Ranch-style and split-level homes were built more recently. Most of the residential streets are in a grid pattern with numbered names, with houses sitting right next to each other on lots smaller than a quarter of an acre.
Rock Ridge High offers a top-tier hockey program
Students can start at Parkview Elementary School, which is currently unrated by Niche. North Star Elementary, rated B-minus, serves grades 3 through 5, followed by B-rated Rock Ridge High School, which was recently formed by combining the student bodies of former Virginia High School and Eveleth-Gilbert High School. Several professional hockey players attended schools in the area. Since the school's opening in 2022, the Rock Ridge hockey team already has one state championship appearance. The Wolverines are coached by local native and Stanley Cup winner Matt Niskanen.
Olcott Park, outdoor ice rinks and the "World's Largest Floating Loon"
Olcott Park is Virginia’s primary green space for outdoor recreation, relaxation and community events. The 40-acre park has open play fields and lots of mature trees that provide plenty of shade. It features a large playground and a water fountain that glows at night. The park’s greenhouse & botanical garden is also open to the public all year long. The city operates three outdoor ice skating rinks, including Ridgewood Rink, which is NHL regulation size. Locals like to fish from the pier at Silver Lake, home of the "World's Largest Floating Loon," a 9-foot-tall, 21-foot-long fiberglass loon statue that floats in the middle of the lake. The paved, 162-mile Mesabi Trail also runs through Virginia, crossing the Virginia High Bridge above a former mining pit.
Local downtown businesses and a national retail corridor
In Virginia’s downtown area, most shops and restaurants are lined along Chestnut Avenue. There are more than a dozen places to eat, including multicultural restaurants like Saigon Café, Jue’s Chinese Restaurant and Grace Sushi & Boba Tea. The late-night crowd likes to hang out at Tommy’s Rainy Lake Saloon, which often has live music. Downtown has several gift shops and boutiques. Candlelake’s Candies is a beloved candy shop that has been serving the community since 1905 and maintains that old-time atmosphere. Thunderbird Mall and big-box retailers such as Target and Menards are on the south side of town near U.S. 53
The Land of the Loon Festival and other annual events
The Land of the Loon Festival is one of the year's biggest events. Started in 1979, the event celebrates the Minnesota state bird as well as the European immigrants who settled the area in the 19th century. The popular event features food vendors, live music and a parade. Virginia goes big on the Fourth of July with fireworks at Olcott Park, where there’s live music and food trucks. During the holiday season, downtown gets lit up with Christmas lights and the Twilight Holiday Parade, which is capped off with fireworks over Silver Lake.
Getting to Duluth and Canada via U.S. 53
U.S. 53 and 169 are the two main highways that run through Virginia. It takes less than 90 minutes to drive to Duluth, about 65 miles away via U.S. 53. Travelers can fly out of Duluth International Airport. It’s also less than a two-hour drive to Ontario, Canada.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
