Sandstone

The city of Sandstone has a population of around 2,538 people (based on 2023 estimates), and its identity is deeply tied to its natural surroundings and rich industrial history. Known as the "First City of the North Woods," Sandstone is located on the scenic Kettle River and is a renowned year-round destination for outdoor adventure. Its name in the Ojibwe language, Asiniikaaning, literally means "at the quarrying place," a nod to a fun fact about the town's origins: it grew up around the Kettle River Sandstone Quarry, which was one of Minnesota's most extensive stone operations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the abandoned quarry site at Robinson Park has been creatively reclaimed to host the Sandstone Ice Park in the winter, making the city a hub for ice climbing, and its proximity to Banning State Park makes it a popular spot for whitewater kayaking and hiking.