Hospitality Industry in Early Sherburne County
In reviewing the history of Sherburne County, significant attention is given to the agriculture industry, or to transportation, specifically the railroads. An area of the economy in Sherburne County that receives very little attention, an area that warrants greater attention, is the hospitality industry. From the beginning of the county to today, hotels and hospitality played a significant role in the county. Starting with Brown’s Hotel in Big Lake and continuing with the Riverside House and the Blanchett Hotel in Elk River. Also, we need to note the inn at Bailey Station in the 1870s. All of these establishments played a significant role in the economic history of Sherburne County. Brown’s Hotel in Big Lake marks the beginning of hospitality industry. Before the county was created, Joseph Brown advertised in the Sauk Rapids newspaper, promoting Big Lake as a stopping off point...