There were a few surprises in this Census. While immigration had been heavy in earlier years, by 1930 because of new restrictions, less than one third of the 357 Canosia Township residents were foreign born, and most of them were over 40. The rest of the people had been born either in Minnesota or in 14 other states. Young people comprised 40% of the population and the average Canosia family had three or four children, except for one family with 14 children. A dozen men, including some immigrants, were veterans of the First World War. And, as the census-taker worked his way through the township he listed all the local roads including the long-forgotten “Swamp Road” and "Sjostrom Road.”
There were 101 dwellings in the town and 84 of these were occupied by owners and 17 by renters. Many people had their relatives living with them and some had both relatives and renters. The market value of these homes ranged from less than $200 to $3,000.
 

Occupations varied widely. About a fourth of the residents were farming and a local blacksmith was shoeing horses for farmers and a local lumber camp and sawmill. Two families owned general stores. A group of men, steam shovel operators and other, worked at the County Tool House. Several people were listed as servants. There were carpenters, fuel salesmen, dray line owners, refrigeration sales people, railroad workers, auto mechanics, cabinet builders and one person who was caretaker at the Pike Lake Club House. There were also plenty of men who did “odd jobs”
This 1930 Census included one new question: “Do you own a radio set?” Technology wasn’t that widespread yet in rural areas but 19 people said they owned a “radio set.” The Stock Market had crashed the previous year and a radio would be almost essential during the difficult Depression years ahead.

Note: This 1930 Census is Film T626 - 1125, St. Louis County, at the Duluth Library. The Canosia Historical Society has a surname index for family researchers.
 

Kathryn Adams and the Canosia Historical Society