Named for the waterfall occurring at the intersection of the Thief River and the Red Lake River, the city of Thief River Falls first received this distinctive name in the late 1800s, when a group of Dakota Indians was discovered by a local group of Ojibwe, allegedly trying to steal their land. The name Thief River Falls was initially attributed to the actual waterfall, but in 1887, was borrowed as the label for the town that would eventually be incorporated near the turn of the century.
Located in the northwestern region of Minnesota -- just southwest of the gorgeous Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge -- Thief River Falls offers one of the last glimpses of lush, beautiful scenery before the flat lands of North Dakota take over
Named for the waterfall occurring at the intersection of the Thief River and the Red Lake River, the city of Thief River Falls first received this distinctive name in the late 1800s, when a group of Dakota Indians was discovered by a local group of Ojibwe, allegedly trying to steal their land. The name Thief River Falls was initially attributed to the actual waterfall, but in 1887, was borrowed as the label for the town that would eventually be incorporated near the turn of the century.
Located in the northwestern region of Minnesota -- just southwest of the gorgeous Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge -- Thief River Falls offers one of the last glimpses of lush, beautiful scenery before the flat lands of North Dakota take over. Often referred to simply as TRF, this Pennington County enclave had a population of 8,573 as of the 2010 United States Census. Although the natural scenery makes Thief River Falls a popular tourist destination, the area's primary sources of economic activity involve agriculture and the manufacturing of Arctic Cat snowmobiles.
Moving to Thief River Falls
Given its location in Northern Minnesota, it should come as no surprise that Thief River Falls is home to massive piles of snow all winter long. The frequent winter storms can make the moving process incredibly difficult; as such, prospective residents hoping to occupy serviced apartments or three-bedroom houses for rent in Thief River Falls may want to wait until spring arrives before loading up their moving vans.
No matter which season you decide is most appropriate for moving to Thief River Falls, you'll also want to take your intended route into consideration. Thief River Falls is rather isolated from other towns; most residents find it easiest to arrive via Interstate 59. However, Highway 32 offers a far more scenic route, with vast riverside views that serve as a nice introduction to the type of scenery you can expect in Thief River Falls.
Thief River Falls Neighborhoods
Before selecting a house in Thief River Falls, be sure to check out the distinct properties of each neighborhood.
Greenwood: Greenwood Street intersects the southern segment of Thief River Falls, creating an obvious border for the lovely Greenwood neighborhood. This is one of the prettiest regions of Thief River Falls, mainly due to proximity of some of the city's most beautiful parks. For example, Oakland Park's open fields and river scenery make it a popular site for residents, as do the gorgeous broadleaf trees of Greenwood Trails Recreation Area Park.
North Thief River: The confluence of the Thief River and the Red Lake River is located near the center of Thief River Falls. North of this confluence lies a lovely section of the Thief River, along with one of the city's most significant residential neighborhoods. Attractions in this area include Northrop Park and Dee's Kitchen.
Taft Street: Residents fortunate enough to live in home rentals near the Thief River and Red Lake River confluence enjoy easy access to a number of stunning parks, including Lafave Park, Boy Scouts Park and Old Engelstad Park, among others. The other major benefit of living here is proximity to the impressive Thief River Falls Library.
Finsbury Park: In the southeastern corner of Thief River Falls lies two hidden gems: Finsbury Park and Allan-A-Dale Park. Nearby is a thriving neighborhood, which, although quieter than the rest of Thief River Falls, is considered one of the best places to live in for anyone seeking a scenic home near the river.
Living In Thief River Falls
One of the best things about living in Thief River Falls is the abundance of recreational opportunities. Outdoor recreation is particularly popular, thanks to the presence of several gorgeous parks as well as, of course, the Red Lake and Thief Rivers. Those who to prefer to stay inside during the cold winter months can also find plenty to keep them busy in the Thief River Falls area. Just south of the city lies the Seven Clans Casino. Although the main draw of this casino is the opportunity for slots and blackjack, visitors also enjoying spending time at the attraction's vast indoor water park. History buffs, on the other hand, prefer spending time at the Peter Engelstad Pioneer Village. Open between Memorial Day and Labor Day, this attraction features a variety of historic structures, including a schoolhouse, a Victorian house, a blacksmith shop, a church, two railroad depots and several log cabins.
