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TRAVERSE COUNTY MN Once home to Indian tribes, Traverse County was established in 1862 and its name was derived from Lake Traverse. Settlers were attracted to the lush prairie and access to water and Browns Valley was selected as the county seat in 1878 until it was moved by voters in 1886 to Wheaton where it remains. By 1900 its population had reached 7,573 and had grown to 8,053 by 1950. As industry began to slow, its population had begun to de…
MURRAY COUNTY MN Once home to Indians, settlers began to arrive to Murray County in 1831. A trading post was built by the American Fur Company in 1833 and the area began to grow. Officially organized in 1857, Murray County was named after William Pitt Murray, a local government official. As the railroad arrived, settlement of Slayton and neighboring villages began and in 1889, Slayton was voted as the county seat after a heated battle with nearby…
TODD COUNTY MN Once home to Dakota, Ojibwe and Winnebago Indians, Todd County was settled in the 1840s. It was established in 1856 and organized in 1867. Todd County was named in honor of John Blair Smith Todd who was a general at Fort Ripley and territorial governor. Settlers were attracted to the ample timber and fertile prairie soil and construction of the railroad promoted development. Long Prairie was selected as the county seat and the firs…
SWIFT COUNTY MN Once home to Indian tribes, Swift County was established in 1870 and named in honor of Minnesota Governor Henry A. Swift. Settlers were attracted to the fertile farmland and Benson was selected as the county seat. A courthouse was constructed in 1897 that was declared a national historic site in 1976. By 1900 Swift County’s population had reached 13,503 and had grown to 15,837 by 1950. As industry began to slow, development began …
STEVENS COUNTY MN Stevens County was established in 1862 and named in honor of General Isaac Stevens who fought in the Civil War. Morris was selected as the county seat and as rail lines were constructed in 1871 the area began to grow. The first newspaper, “Frontier Business,” was established in 1876 and agriculture led early industry. By 1900 the population of Stevens County had reached 8,721 and the region has continued to develop. Today Steven…
POPE COUNTY MN Pope County was established in 1862 and named in honor of General John Pope, a local surveyor. Stockholm was selected as the county seat until 1867 when it was moved to Glenwood. Early industry was dominated by agriculture as many settlers arrived to farm the fertile soil. Railroad expansion allowed for growth and by 1900 its population had reached 12,577. Today Pope County is home to approximately 10,995 residents. General All Pur…
PINE COUNTY MN Pine county was established in 1856 and was named for the abundance of pine trees in the area. It was formed from parts of Chisago and Ramsey Counties, and included much of the area which is present day Carlton and Aitkin Counties. Early industry was dominated by logging and communities were founded near logging sites and railroad junctions. In 1872 Pine City was selected as the county seat and the area continued to develop until 1…
OTTER TAIL COUNTY Otter Tail County holds a rich history dating back to 11,000 B.C. While modern dwellings began forming in the mid 1800s, there was life on the prairie over 10,000 years ago. Proof was found near the Otter Tail community of Pelican Rapids where the remains of “Minnesota Woman” were found while road crews were reconstructing a highway. In the late 1800s most of the towns were built along the railroad lines. Lumber was a major indu…
MORRISON COUNTY MN Once home to Sioux and Chippewa Indians, Morrison County was settled in the mid 1800s. The area was first settled by fur traders and missionaries until loggers arrived, building a dam at the present site of Little Falls in 1849. Fort Ripley was then constructed and development of the county continued. Officially established in 1856, Morrison County was named after fur traders and explorers William and Allen Morrison. Settlement…
MEEKER COUNTY Originally home to Indians, Meeker County was established in 1856 and named in honor of Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Bradley B. Meeker. Forest City was originally selected as the county seat and the area began to grow with construction of the railroad. Early industry was dominated by agriculture with residents raising wheat, oats, flax and barley. The county seat was moved to Litchfield in 1869 and by 1900 the p…
