On This Date in Minnesota History: November 19

November 19, 1881 - Brainerd township became a city on this date. “The name was chosen in honor of the wife of J. Gregory Smith, the first president of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, [Brainerd being her maiden name]. Mrs. Brainerd Smith was the author of novels, books of travel and other works.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crow_Wing_County,_Minnesota

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