Nisswa was first called Hill's Crossing because the Leech Lake Trail and a logging road crossed here at Webster Hill's homesite, which was settled in 1886. The name was changed to Smiley in 1898 to honor Ernest Smiley, the man responsible for the settlement's first post office. The growing community was finally renamed Nisswa in 1908. Derived from the Ojibwe word "nessawae", meaning "in the middle" or "three", the town site and Lake Nisswa are the middle of the three interconnected lakes. Surrounded by lakes and wildlife, Nisswa, Minnesota has much to offer visitors including fishing, boating, resorts, golf courses, shopping, and so much more!

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