Ned’s Hometown a ‘Best Place to Live’

I haven't always been proud of my hometown of Crosby, MN. There's some sketchy history there; it's the site of the Milford Mine disaster - the worst mining disaster in Minnesota history - as well as the first city in the United States to elect a Communist Mayor.

Woot woot! Home!

The city has really turned itself around. The Crosby-Ironton-Cuyuna area has become a world mecca for mountain biking. All those mine pits? Yeah, the hills surrounding them make for fantastic mountain biking (or "adventure recreation").

Outside Magazine recognized the turnaround and named Crosby a "Best Place to Live" as well as one of "American's Smartest Towns." Not bad for a formerly sleepy little ex-mining town that had once christened itself as the antique capital of the world.

Lakeland Public Television did a brief story on the honor.

Good for Crosby. I don't feel like I have to say where I'm from under my breath anymore. I probably still will, but at least I won't feel obligated.

Kidding. GO C-I GO!