In 1969 the Minnesota Legislature declared the Lake Superior agate to be the state’s official gemstone.
Moose Lake dubbed itself the agate capital of the world, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This is due to the amount of Lake Superior agates found in the area.
The Agate Days event attracts vendors from all over the world for the Gem and Mineral Show, which takes place at First National Bank of Moose Lake Arena
at 20 Earl Ellens Drive. They sell a large variety of agates, gems, minerals and even rocks that glow in the dark. The event is so large that the vendor booths spill out of the arena and also fill a portion of the parking lot. Why are agates so prolific in Carlton County?
Although agates are found everywhere around the world, Moose Lake and Carlton County are unique in that they are a part of the Ice Age history of the region. Many local residents take finding agates in driveways and alongside roads for granted. However, they are a gift from centuries of deposits that follow a path from the current Thomson Dam area, through Moose Lake and Kettle River as the water changed direction due to the giant ice dams. Not only does Moose Lake produce alot of agates, they are also home to a 108 pound agate, which is on display in the entry of the First National Bank. The huge agate was found about 45 years ago by Paul Ward and then placed on permanent display at the bank. The two-day event attracts agate lovers from all over. Along with vendors selling a huge variety of gems and agates, there is also Art in the Park, food, including the fireman’s steak fry, music and of course the highlight of the event, the Agate Stampede.
Excited people of all ages will line Elm Avenue early at 1 pm on Saturday, July 19, so they’re ready to charge onto the street after two dump trucks drop 400 pounds of agates and $400 hundred dollars in quarters and $100 dollars on 50 cent pieces.