Inside Tower, one of the coldest cities in the US, with a record -60F temperature and a 2,341ft deep mine-turned-physics lab

By James On Sep 2, 2023

This northeastern Minnesota city is one of the coolest in the US, not because of its hipster bars or vibrant music scene, but because of its frigid temperatures.

Tower The lowest recorded temperature was recorded on February 2, 1996, with the thermometer reading minus 60 Fahrenheit. This also marked a record low for the entire state.

According to Worldclimate.com this was an anomaly, with the city’s average low traditionally being about 1 Fahrenheit in December and the high about 78 Fahrenheit in July.

Given the cold temperature and remote location, the former mining town of just over 400 inhabitants is still sparsely populated. Located on the shores of Lake Vermilion, the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park is one of the area’s biggest attractions.

Tower’s lowest recorded temperature was recorded on February 2, 1996, with the thermometer reading minus 60 Fahrenheit. This also marked a record low for the entire state

According to WorldClimate.com, this was an anomaly, with the city’s average low traditionally being about 1 Fahrenheit in December and the high about 78 Fahrenheit in July.

A photo of Tower taken on November 1, the day after the Halloween Snowstorm of 1991. The city received 16 inches of snow in 24 hours. To top it off, wind speeds of 80 mph were recorded, with the temperature dropping from 55F to 10F

Given the cold temperature and remote location, the former mining town of just over 400 inhabitants is still sparsely populated

As for the city’s name, the city is named after mining financier Charlemagne Tower, who is credited with introducing the mining industry to Minnesota.

The park features a network of picturesque hiking trails and the iron mine, which opened in 1884 and closed in 1962.

The cavernous space became an underground physics laboratory after a University of Minnesota physicist toured it and saw its potential.

According to the laboratory’s website, it was “for decades the leading deep underground science and engineering laboratory in the US,” and “scientists from around the world have been working in Soudan for 35 years to answer fundamental questions about the universe in which we live.” live.’

Today, however, the lab — which is located at a depth of 700 meters — is currently being decommissioned, as existing experiments are completed and new projects move to “newer, deeper facilities.”

For this reason, laboratory tours are no longer offered.

One of the lab’s most unique features is a giant mural on one of the walls of the cave, measuring 25 by 18 meters, depicting people important to the development of both physics and the mining industry.

The painting, which was completed over the course of several months by Joseph Giannetti, required 25 liters of primer and 50 liters of paint.

A page on the lab’s website states that “the extreme texture of the wall increases the difficulty of the project.”

Located on the shores of Lake Vermilion, the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park is one of the area’s greatest attractions

The town’s mine opened in 1884 and closed in 1962. The cavernous space served as an underground physics laboratory after a University of Minnesota physicist toured it and saw its potential. Pictured is Professor Marvin Marshak in 2002

According to the laboratory’s website, it was “for decades the leading deep underground science and engineering laboratory in the US.”

For those looking for a cultural break, there are two museums in the small town, one of which is dedicated to mining history. Pictured are several locomotives in use at the Tower-Soudan mine

For visitors looking for more fun during their trip to Tower, Tripadvisor recommends a visit to the Fortune Bay Casino, which is close to the lake.

The sprawling entertainment center features a 172-room resort, an RV park, a marina, a golf course and a number of dining options.

For those looking for a cultural break, there are two museums in the small town, including the Bois Forte Heritage Center dedicated to the Bois Forte tribe or “band,” and the Tower-Soudan Historical Society, a museum housed in a old building. depot with trains and a steam locomotive on display.

After working up an appetite exploring the city’s sights, there are a few restaurants downtown, including a grill serving hearty bites and a sports bar with cold draft beers.

However, one of the top-rated eateries is the Vermilion Club, located close to the lake on Old Hwy 77.

On Tripadvisor, many customers rate the pizza, with two of the more unusual options being the “bacon cheeseburger,” topped with beef, bacon, mozzarella, and American cheese, and the “taco,” which is a combination of beef, black olives, onions, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

One visitor noted that in winter you could get to the restaurant “by boat, by car, or on a snow machine.”

As for the city’s name, the city is named after mining financier Charlemagne Tower, who is credited with introducing the mining industry to Minnesota.