Frontenac

History

James Wells established a trading post in the location that would become Frontenac before 1850. He dealt mostly with Native Americans until the railroad was built in the early 1870s. In 1854, brothers Israel and Lewis Garrard came upon the area during a hunting trip and bought large tracts of land. By 1857, the community was permanently established with the name of Westervelt in 1855 to honor the then postmaster, Evert V. Westervelt. The name was changed to Frontenac in 1860 by the Garrard brothers after Louis de Buade de Frontenac, the French colonial governor of Canada in 1672–82 and 1689–98. There is no record of him actually traveling to the Mississippi River. The picturesque scenery soon began attracting wealthy residents. It became a community of summer homes with lakeside views. Several hotels were established, including the Lakeside Hotel in 1867. These hotels contributed to Frontenac's reputation as a resort town during the later 19th century. During the 1870s, a Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad line to Frontenac was established; however, as the founders would not sell land to the railway company, the line was established some distance away from town. The railway ran from north to south and connected the remote area to larger cities, but it was far enough away from the bluffs not to detract from the vacation destination. A new community sprang up around the railway station, and later the highway, called Frontenac Station; the original townsite was then dubbed Old Frontenac. Both are in Florence Township and are listed as one location in the U.S. Census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Frontenac has an area of ; of this is land, and is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Red Wing Senior High
  High · RED WING · 866 students · 18.4:1 ratio
• Twin Bluff School
  Middle · RED WING · 534 students · 19.1:1 ratio
• SUNNYSIDE ELEMENTARY
  Elementary · RED WING · 339 students · 14.7:1 ratio
• 5RiversOnline Secondary
  High · RED WING · 122 students · 24.4:1 ratio
• COLVILL FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER
  Other · RED WING · 74 students · 8.2:1 ratio
• MCF-Red Wing Maginnis High School
  High · RED WING · 54 students
• Reach Programs
  Other · RED WING · 54 students · 6.8:1 ratio
• 5RiversOnline Elementary
  Elementary · RED WING · 31 students · 3.4:1 ratio