"The Cold Spot"

Known for the Cold
Embarrass has vied for the title of “Coldest Place in the Nation” in a rivalry with International Falls, MN. The all-time unofficial low temperature for Embarrass was -64ºF on February 2, 1996. Coming in as the second coldest day in the town, the temperature reached -54ºF on January 17, 2005. It is also said that it can frost in Embarrass at any time of the year, since it is in such a low-lying area amid the Mesabi and Vermilion ranges.


What’s in a Name
Embarrass is probably a name given to the area by Frenchman Father Du Poisson as described in his letters in the early 1700s, derived from a French word meaning “obstacles of logs in and about the waterways.” — Recorded by Eino M. Norha, 1960, in History of Embarrass Township

A railroad depot was established in the mid 1880s near the Embarrass River, and when the Township of Embarrass was organized in 1905 it took this name.


Town History & Heritage
Early settlers to Embarrass depended on fur trading, logging, livestock, trapping, and even potato farming for livelihoods. In the 1950s, taconite mining boomed drawing many to the region.

Today in the Embarrass area around 165 log buildings still stand that were built by hand from 1890 to 1930, including 14 that are part of the summer Finnish Heritage Homestead Tour. The Northern Comfort Bed & Breakfast is proud to be a stop on the tour!

 
 
Fun Facts
• Official low temperature for the town of Embarrass was -57ºF on February 2, 1996.
• The proper Finnish pronunciation of sauna is “souw-nuh.”
• Embarrass, MN has a latitude of 47.659089 and a longitude of -92.197947. GPS coordinates are: N47° 39.5454′, W092° 11.8768′
  • Official low temperature for the town of Embarrass was -57ºF on February 2, 1996.
  • The proper Finnish pronunciation of sauna is “souw-nuh.”
  • Embarrass, MN has a latitude of 47.659089 and a longitude of            -92.197947. GPS coordinates are: N47° 39.5454′, W092° 11.8768′