Detroit Lakes travel guide

Detroit Lakes is a city in Becker County, Minnesota, USA. It was formerly named "Tylertown" and "Detroit" at different points in history.The post office was called Detroit City (1871-1906) and Detroit (1906-26) before changing to its present name by a vote of its citizens on September 7, 1926. The early settlement had a station of the Northern Pacific Railroad in section 27 and exported wheat, furs, butter, and snakeroot. An area in section 34, absorbed by the city, was called Tyler Town when settled about 1871 near the Pelican River, then renamed Johnstonville for Col. George H. Johnston, who sold real estate and was a miller in the community. Its population was 7,348 at the 2000 census. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the city's population as of 2006 to be 8,039 based on the 1990 and 2000 censuses. From 1990 to 2000, the city experienced approximately 10.75% population growth. It is the county seat of Becker County The city was referred to in the John Steinbeck book, Travels with Charley, as he and his dog Charley drove through the upper Midwest.
U.S. Highway 10, U.S. Highway 59, and Minnesota Highway 34 are three of the main arterial routes in the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.3 square miles (31.9 km²), of which, 7.5 square miles (19.4 km²) of it is land and 4.8 square miles (12.5 km²) of it (39.25%) is water. (...) more....