Watonwan County was named after the Watonwan River derived from the Dakota word Watonwan meaning “where fish bait bounds.” The river flows east through the northern section of the county. It was established in 1860 and in 1870 the directors of the St. Paul and Sioux City railroads decided to make the county seat, St. James, the midpoint between the two cities. Today Watonwan County has a population of approximately 10,896 people. The county has twelve townships and eight cities.
General All Purpose Maps
Great and useful info for the area.
Not including unincorporated communities
CITIES
Butterfield
Darfur
La Salle
Lewisville
Madelia
Odin
Ormsby
St. James
TOWNSHIPS
Adrian Township
Antrim Township
Butterfield Township
Fieldon Township
Long Lake Township
Madelia Township
Nelson Township
Odin Township
Riverdale Township
Rosendale Township
St. James Township
South Branch Township
Click map to download PDF
Watonwan County has a good variety of trails for your outdoor enjoyment. From bicycling, snowmobiling, inline skating and more, we’ve gathered information on where the trails are for your convenience. If you happen to know of any we missed, please pass them on to us. Also, remember to be responsible while using the trails.
If you’re looking for some entertainment, here’s a list of events going on:
Annual Spring Gift & Craft Show Odin
Hot Dog Day St. James (3rd Saturday)
St. James Community Golf Invitational
St. James Farmers Market St. James (Wednesdays, June-October)
Music in the Park St. James (Wednesdays, June-July)
Taste of St. James St. James
Railroad Days & Parade St. James
Madelia Park Days & Blues Festival
The Rivers Edge Arts & More Fair Madelia
St. James 4th of July Fireworks
Watonwan County Fair St. James
Day of Destruction Demolition Derby St. James
John Spitzner Memorial Truck & Tractor Pull St. James
Fire Dept. Hog Roast Ormsby
Younger Brothers Capture Reenactment Madelia
Labor Day Celebration Godahl
Godahl Day St. James
Multicultural Fiesta St. James
Watonwan County Relay for Life St. James
Oktoberfest Madelia
Razzle Dazzle Celebration & Tour of Trees Madelia
Small Business Saturday Area Wide
Winter Carnival St. James
*For more information on events throughout Watonwan County, visit www.exploreminnesota.com
*Events are subject to change.*
Contact information for all-purpose residential needs.
Assessor (507) 375-1205
Attorney (507) 375-3373
Auditor/Treasurer (507) 375-1210
Court Services (507) 621-6005
EMERGENCY 911
Emergency Management (507) 375-5841
Extension (507) 375-1275
Human Services (507) 375-3294
Information Technology (507) 375-2525
License Bureau (507) 375-1219
Land Management & Zoning (507) 375-1225
Probation (507) 375-1294
Public Works (507) 375-3393
Recorder (507) 375-1216
Sheriff (507) 375-3121
Transportation (507) 375-7385
Veterans Services (507) 375-1254
Experience some of the great opportunities and adventures that await in Watonwan County.
BAND BOX RECREATION
612 1st Ave. South | St. James | (507) 375-4021
CENTER CREEK ORCHARD
663 254th Ave. | East Chain Township | (507) 773-4547
GRAND OPERA HOUSE
502 First Ave. S | St. James | (507) 621-0274
LAKE CRYSTAL AREA RECREATION CENTER
621 W Nathan St. | Lake Crystal | (507) 726-6730
MADELIA LANES
416 1st St. SE | Madelia | (507) 642-3322
MADELIA SWIMMING POOL & WATER SLIDE
519 Dill Ave. SW | Madelia | (507) 642-8952
MADELIA THEATER
117 West Main St. | Madelia | (507) 642-3333
ODIN CRAFT MILL
109 1st St. | Odin | (507) 621-0599
PRINCESS THEATER
505 1st Ave. S | St. James | (507) 375-4370
ROUNDHOUSE INC. / CITY OF ST. JAMES
307 Tiell Dr. | St. James | (507) 995-2955
SKATE PARK
38 7th Ave. S | St. James | (507) 375-3241
ST. JAMES GOLF COURSE
77818 MN-60 | St. James | (507) 942-7484
ST. JAMES HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM
602 Third Ave. S | St. James | (507) 380-7024
ST. JAMES POOL
111 Tiell Dr | St. James | (507) 375-3241
ST. JAMES WALKING ART TOUR
Pick up a brochure at the St. James Chamber Office
602 2nd Ave. S | Saint James | (507) 375-3333
TRUMAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION MUSEUM
109 West Ciro St. | Truman | (507) 776-7889
WATONWAN COUNTY COURTHOUSE
710 2nd Ave. S | St James | (507) 621-6005
WATONWAN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
423 Dill Ave. SW | Madelia | (507) 642-3247
*For more information on Watonwan County’s parks, visit: www.co.watonwan.mn.us/96/County-Parks
808 1st St. S | St. James | (507) 375-3241
Located on St. James Lake in St. James, Memorial Park offers fishing docks, skateboard park, horseshoes, sand volleyball, picnic tables, two park shelters, and the St. James Area Bike Trail.
You can purchase hunting and fishing licenses, cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers through the Electronic License System.
Online: www.dnr.state.mn.us, Toll-Free: 1 (888) 665-4236 or visit one of the ELS agents available throughout Watonwan County:
RJ’S ADVENTURES
225 BENZEL AVE. NW | (507) 621-7928
TRUE VALUE
2 W MAIN ST. | (507) 642-3315
JALO HARDWARE INC
423 1ST AVE. S | (507) 375-4151
LAKESIDE SERVICE
220 TIELL DR. | (507) 375-3842
Waseca County, MN 
