The first large United States commercial ski factory emerged in St. Paul, Minnesota. Martin A. Strand, the company's founder, began manufacturing skis believing he could capitalize on the new ski clubs that were beginning to form in Red Wing, Minnesota and Ishpeming, Michigan. He modeled his skis after the popular Norwegian Telemark ski, as did most ski manufacturing companies of the period.
Martin Strand started making skis in the basement of his home in Minneapolis, MN in 1896. He continued to make skis, while he worked as a surveyor and insurance salesman. In 1904, he partnered with business associate Frederick Youngquist and they formed the Strand-Youngquist Manufacturing Company, at which, they made skis, boat oars, and toboggans. Their business partnership dissolved in about 1907, but Strand continued to make skis.
