Proctor, Minnesota records

The City of Proctor was historically called Proctor Knott. It was the location for the Duluth, Missabe and Northern (DM&N, after 1938 it was the DM&IR) Railway Company’s storage yards and engine shops in 1892 or 1893, for the railroads ever-increasing ore traffic. The DM&N also ran a passenger train between Proctor and Duluth. In 1966 there were 75 miles of track with a storage capacity for 3,000 ore cars. A petition dated September 10, 1894, sought to secure permission to incorporate as the Village of Proctor Knott in township 49 range 15, three sections, adjoining the west side of Duluth, less the 72.32 acres embracing the DM&N’s right-of-way. The election was held on November 6, 1894 with 88 votes cast, 80 for incorporation and 8 opposed to incorporation. Election for officials was held November 21, 1894. A special election on January 22, 1895, incorporated the village as a “separate election and assessment district, and separated the village from the Township of Oneota, for all purposes.” The first president was M. H. Padden. Population in 1900 was 784, in 1910 2,242; and in 1920, 2,378. The Independent school district No. 1 (currently within ISD. #704) held one frame and two brick schoolhouses in 1919 with an enrollment of 691. The name commemorates James Proctor Knott, of Kentucky, known in northern Minnesota for his humorous speech given in the U. S. Congress in 1871, ridiculing Duluth, but really aiding the young city by drawing attention to it. He was born near Lebanon, KY, August 29, 1830; was a representative in Congress, 1867-1871 and 1877-83; governor of Kentucky, 1883-87; professor of civics and law in Center College, Danville, KY, 1892-1901; and died at Lebanon, KY, June 18, 1911. James Proctor Knott visited Duluth in 1890.

Proctor gained city status July 17, 1939, and its name was officially changed to Proctor. Boundary Avenue divided Proctor from Duluth. The South St. Louis County Fair was held in Proctor.