Hibbing is located in the Northeast region of Minnesota in St. Louis County. Once called the “Iron Capital of the World”, Hibbing traces its origins to a strong, viable mining industry.
The community was established in 1893 by German miner Frank Hibbing, who discovered iron ore nearby. In the 1920’s, the town moved two miles south to its present location after iron ore was discovered under the city’s old location. Building by building, using steel wheels and logs, Hibbing was moved to where it stands today. The move started in 1919, and took many years to complete. More than 180 houses and 20 businesses eventually relocated to their current sites, costing about $16 million.
What remains of historic Old Hibbing is now home to the Hull Rust Mahoning Mine View, a BMX bike facility, and a model airplane field. There is also a large park that is used for summer events such as the Mines and Pines Art Festival (July) and the Shifters Car Show (June). The foundations of many buildings are still in place and signs are posted with information about the buildings that were there before the town moved south.
Hibbing is known for several famous former residents, including music great Robert Zimmerman, better known as Bob Dylan. Other notables include former Boston Celtics basketball player Kevin McHale, now a vice president with the Minnesota Timberwolves; Vincent Bugliosi, the prosecutor in the Charles Manson case who later became an acclaimed author; and baseball player Roger Maris, who held Major League Baseball’s single-season home-run record for 37 years; and entrepreneur Jeno Paulucci.
The mining companies helped Hibbing rebuild itself by building the City Hall and the high school. City Hall was constructed in 1923 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Hibbing High School was constructed from 1920 to 1925 at a cost of $3.9 million.
Hibbing owns and operates its own municipal electricity, water, natural gas and steam utility system. The Range Regional Airport provides daily scheduled passenger and freight service as well as charter service and hangar rental are also available.
The community has 32 parks, 2 golf courses, recreational programs, skate park, softball/baseball fields, soccer fields, fishing, hunting, bocce ball, horseshoes, boating and more. Sections of the Mesabi Trail, which will eventually span 130 miles through 25 communities, are located in and around the community.
Hibbing is fortunate to have a very strong community base developed in the areas of education, health, and community helpers.