ABOUT
Irondale Township is a township in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. The population was 1,113 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 31.1 square miles, of which 27.8 square miles of it is land and 3.2 square miles of it (10.45%) is water.
There were 1,113 people, 430 households, and 310 families residing in the township. The population density was 40.0 people per square mile. There were 542 housing units at an average density of 19.5/sq mi.
Irondale Township was originally named Klondyke, an allusion to the Klondyke Gold Rush, as Crow Wing County is also a mining region. A post office called Klondike was in operation from 1897 until 1907.
A petition was put forth on November 20, 1917 to change the name to Irondale as many residents felt the name Klondyke always connected with the gold found in a bleak, dreary and cold part of Alaska. Further, as the petition reads: "The name was not suitable for our most beautiful town, abounding with lakes, streams, and forests." They believed the word "Irondale," comprised of the words "Iron," indicative of the town's true mineral industry, and "Dale," a wooded valley, would be more appropriate, suggesting to strangers and reminding residents of natures kindness and beauty.
More information can be found in Al Knieff's book, Cuyuna Country: A Peoples' History. Copies of this book are available through the Hallett Memorial Library in Crosby, MN.