White Bear Lake, Minnesota

White Bear Lake is a city in Ramsey County, with a small portion in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 24,325 at the 2000 census.

White Bear Lake is also a lake in Minnesota, one of the biggest lakes in the MSP area. It is named white bear lake because of its association with a native american legend regarding the appearance of a white bear.(1) For details on white bear lake, look on the US map and Minnesota Map

Geography

Location of White Bear Lake, Minnesota

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.5 km² (8.7 mi²). 21.2 km² (8.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (5.87%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 24,325 people, 9,618 households, and 6,646 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,148.2/km² (2,974.3/mi²). There were 9,813 housing units at an average density of 463.2/km² (1,199.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.31% White, 1.08% African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.54% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 1.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,618 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,934, and the median income for a family was $60,196. Males had a median income of $41,699 versus $31,797 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,338. About 3.3% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

History

Some say that White Bear Lake was the object of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald's Winter Dreams, as he describes life in Black Bear Lake, Minnesota. What is not in doubt is that White Bear Lake became a sort of de facto gangster haven during the Prohibition era. Those gangsters in Chicago who felt the need to get out of town until "things cooled off" would frequent White Bear Lake, a fact that is not lost on today's Chamber of Commerce who tout this as a reason to visit.

White Bear Lake High School and Mariner High School merged in the 1980s to form White Bear Lake Area High School. The two buildings have a combined total of around 3,000 students. North Campus (White Bear Lake High School) holds classes for freshman and sophomores while South Campus (the former Mariner High School) holds classes for juniors and seniors.

The murder of three-year-old Dennis Jurgens at the hands of his adoptive mother, Lois Jurgens, was arguably the biggest scandal to hit the town. The story was recounted in Barry Siegel's true crime novel A Death in White Bear Lake.

In 1952, the Lakeshore Players Community Theater was organized. Currently, Lakeshore Players resides in a former church building constructed in 1889, at 4820 Stewart Avenue.

The White Bear Center for the Arts was officially organized on May 16, 1968 and currently resides in the old armory building at 2228 Fourth Street.

High School Athletic Program History

Hockey

In 1982, WBLHS took second place in the annual state hockey championship. This was prior to the change in the state hockey playoff format. The team was coached by Tom Simpson whose motto was "Hustle, Desire, Discipline."

Basketball

The Athletic Program is known for its back to back 26-0 basketball seasons in 84-85, creating a 52 game winning streak; led by the charismatic, "General" of the hardwood Jim Galvin.

Football/Baseball

Paul Mork, former football and baseball coach, led the Bears for more than 20 years and is known for his "Paw Power" chants. The usual chant was "1-2-3, Paw Power" but on those special nights, such as Homecoming vs. Stillwater, he would pull out the "1-2-3----4...PAW POWER!" After a 0-9 season in 1990, Mork stepped down as head football coach. In recent years he has been making a comeback push as head coach of the Irondale girls’ basketball team.

Business

Smarte Carte, a company that provides baggage carts to many airports around the world, is headquartered in White Bear Lake, just off 35E.

Notable natives and/or residents

• Tony Benshoof - Olympic athlete
• Brian Bonin - Mr. Hockey & Hobey Baker award winner
• James Brunzell - Wrestler
• Moose Goheen - Hockey Hall of Fame
• Bradley Joseph - Recording artist
• Joe Miller (baseball) - Baseball player
• Elwyn Romnes - Hockey player
• David Tanabe - Hockey player
• Jesse Ventura - Politician
• Alice Peacock - Folk singer
• Gerry Spiess - Sailor
• Seann William Scott - Actor
• Nachito Herrera - Jazz Musicisn

references

1- History of White Bear Lake

External links

• City Website
• White Bear Press (local newspaper)
• White Bear Center for the Arts

45°05′05″N 93°00′36″W