History of Community
Warroad, Minnesota, is a small town in the northern part of the state, near the Canadian border, with a rich history shaped by Native American heritage, the fur trade, and hockey culture.
Early History & Native American Influence
Warroad is named after the "War Road" trail, a historic route used by the Ojibwe (Chippewa) and Sioux (Dakota) tribes during their conflicts. The Ojibwe, who eventually settled in the region, used the Warroad River and Lake of the Woods for transportation, fishing, and hunting. The nearby Warroad Indian Reservation, home to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, continues to play a significant role in the area's culture.
Fur Trade Era & European Settlement
In the 18th and 19th centuries, European fur traders, particularly those associated with the Hudson’s Bay Company and North West Company, traveled through the region. The area’s location on the waterways made it an important spot for trading furs, fish, and timber.
Lumber & Fishing Industry
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, logging became a key industry, with sawmills processing timber from the vast forests surrounding Warroad. Commercial fishing on Lake of the Woods also became an important economic driver, and the town developed a reputation for its high-quality walleye and other freshwater fish.
Warroad: Hockeytown USA
Warroad is famously known as "Hockeytown USA" because of its deep-rooted hockey culture. Despite its small population, Warroad has produced multiple Olympic and NHL players. The town’s passion for the sport is exemplified by the Warroad High School hockey teams, which have won multiple state championships. Warroad’s success in hockey is further cemented by its legendary rivalry with Roseau, another hockey-rich town nearby.
Modern Warroad
Today, Warroad remains a close-knit community, with tourism, outdoor recreation, and manufacturing supporting the local economy. Marvin Windows and Doors, one of the largest employers in northern Minnesota, is headquartered in Warroad. The town attracts visitors for its fishing, boating, hunting, ATV and snowmobiling opportunities, as well as its hockey legacy.