Ely ) is a city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, USA. It was once named "que quam chep", which means "land of the berries" in the Chippewa language. The population was 3,460 at the 2010 census. It is located in the Vermilion Iron Range, and was historically home to several Iron ore mines.Today the city is best known as a popular entry point for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and is home to the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center.It is home to community-oriented newspapers Ely Echo and North Country Angler, and to radio stations WELY and Boundary Waters Radio. Ely is host to many community events such as the Blueberry Arts Festival and the Harvest Moon Festival, located in Whiteside Park through out the summer months. Veterans Memorial Field is also host to over 90 baseball games a summer between the various youth levels and is slated to host the 2011 American Legion Division II State Tournament, which Ely will earn an automatic bid into.The city's main street is lined with outfitters, outdoor clothing stores, and restaurants. State Route 1, State Route 169 and County Road 21 (Central Avenue) are the main routes in the city.