I feel like then northeast corner of Minnesota is somber all over.
My father's side of the family is from Chisholm. I spent many days up there though my youth and teenage years, fishing at the lake my grandparents lived, and hunting the woods around them.
When I was little, that area was still bustling. Lots of businesses going strong. Iron was doing well, considering the high-grade stuff was mined out. And logging and paper were in high demand.
Now...it's a ghost area. High unemployment. Businesses closed down and shuttered.
Sure, Duluth is doing fine. Always will. It's self sustaining now, sort of like Fargo.
But the industries that built northern Minnesota -- logging and mining -- are mere husks. And so are the people who relied on them.
I like to go up and visit now and then, but can't stay for too long. Makes my heart hurt too much.