History

The earliest settlers of this region were the famed French fur trading voyageurs, and it is from one of their number, Joe Beaudette, that Baudette draws its name.  Years later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Scandinavian immigrants arrived in droves, searching for the cheap land promised by the Homestead Act.  Many of these immigrants’ descendants still live in the surrounding country if not in Baudette itself.

Like the rest of the Northwestern Minnesota, Baudette is proud of its natural beauty.  Two state parks, Zippel Bay and Franz Jevne, and berry and mushroom picking and wildlife watching possibilities are only a half-hour’s drive away.  The massive Lake of the Woods is highly popular among local fishermen and swimmers.

Local events like Willie Walleye Day and Oktoberfest are eagerly anticipated every year, and Baudette is proud to boast one of the greatest 4th of July fireworks displays in miles.