The Range Comes Together For Buhl Festival
The streets were filled with fire truck sirens, rifle salutes, marching bands, laughter, clapping, and cheering Saturday as thousands of fellow Rangers joined Buhl residents to help the city celebrate its 125th birthday.
Buhl is known for “The Finest Water in America,” and “Be Cook, Drink Buhl” was founded in 1901 and was named after Frank Buhl. The area was surrounded by eight open-pit mines during the Mesabi Range Iron Boom. The area had its share of firsts in the mining industry, with the Wabigon Mine being the first on the Range to be electrified. The played-out pits make Buhl a popular spot for swimming, boating, and fishing.
The water claim isn’t just a marketing catch phrase for the city. The town’s water supply comes from a glacial aquifer located 700 feet deep and encased in 300 feet of solid granite.
Buhl High School (now combined with Mountain Iron) also did its share to add to the town’s legacy, with the Buhl Bulldogs winning back-to-back state basketball championships in 1941 and 1942, with 1942 being an undefeated season.
Saturday’s parade, while a highlight, wasn’t the only event helping the city celebrate. The two-day festival consisted of scavenger hunts, art and craft shows, a downtown car show, historical tours, and displays. Adult and kids games at the park, like a team obstacle course race and pie-eating contest, wrapped up with live music, street dances, and a fireworks display.
While most of the area is getting ready to celebrate the county’s 250th birthday. Buhl got the celebration rolling with its own historic birthday. Here’s to the next 125!
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