Almelund, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Almelund
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| Nickname(s):
The Busiest Small Town in Minnesota
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 Almelund, Minnesota
Location in Minnesota
Almelund, Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Chisago County |
| Township | Amador Township |
| Elevation | 997 ft (304 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
55012
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| Area code(s) | 651 |
| GNIS feature ID | 639300 |
Almelund is a small, unincorporated community in Chisago County, Minnesota, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's not a city with its own government. Instead, it's a close-knit area within Amador Township.
You can find Almelund east of North Branch. It's located right where State Highway 95 (MN 95) meets Chisago County Road 12 (Park Trail). Other nearby places include Center City, Sunrise, and Taylors Falls.
Almelund is about 51 miles north-northeast of Minneapolis. The community has a population of about 2,945 people, based on 2018 numbers.
Contents
Discovering Almelund's Past
Who Lived Here First?
Long ago, in the 1600s, the first European visitors to this area were French traders. They came to buy furs from the Ojibwa Native Americans who lived here.
Early Settlers and a New Name
In the 1850s, new settlers from other parts of America moved to Amador Township. They built their homes along the St. Croix River. This river area also had the first post office. A doctor named Carmi P. Garlick planned a village here. He named it Amador, after a county in California where he had looked for gold. In 1857, he built a saw mill on the St. Croix River.
Swedish Immigrants Arrive
In the 1870s, many Swedish immigrants came to the township. They bought farmland and started new lives here.
How Almelund Was Founded
The village of Almelund was officially started in 1887. A Swedish immigrant named John Almquist founded it. He heard that Swedish settlers were building a Lutheran church in the area. Almquist knew these settlers would need supplies. So, he built a general store and ran it for thirty years. Sadly, the store burned down in 1911.
Old School Buildings
The first school in Almelund was a one-room building made of wood. It was built in 1890. Today, this old school building is used as the Amador Town Hall. A larger, two-room brick school was built in 1910. This building is now the Amador Heritage Center. It's a museum that also includes three log cabins, a log barn, and a log granary.
The Immanuel Lutheran Church
The Immanuel Lutheran Church is still a very important building in the center of town. It was first known as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Emmanuel Church. The current church building was constructed in 1926.
Life in Almelund Today
Nature and Outdoor Fun
Almelund is surrounded by beautiful nature. The St. Croix River and Wild River State Park are to the north and east. This area is great for water sports and other outdoor activities. Almelund is just three miles south of Wild River State Park. It is also west of the Wild Mountain Recreation Area, which offers even more outdoor fun.
From Farms to Commuters
In the past, Amador Township was mostly farmland. Families raised crops like corn and soybeans. They also had dairy and beef cattle. Many of these farm families were descendants of the original Swedish immigrants. Today, the area is less focused on farming. Many local residents travel to the Twin Cities area for their jobs.
The Threshing Show
Almelund is famous in east-central Minnesota for its annual Threshing Show. This celebration has been going on for sixty years! It's a chance to see vintage tractors, old farm equipment, and learn about traditional threshing methods. Threshing is a way of separating grain from its plant. It's a fun way to connect with the area's farming history.
A Busy Small Town
Almelund even has its own slogan: "The Busiest Small Town in Minnesota."
