Buchanan County, Minnesota facts for kids

Buchanan County was once a part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It was a special area, like a smaller region within a state, that no longer exists today. It was created a long time ago, in 1857, when Minnesota was still a territory and not yet a state.

What Was Buchanan County?

Buchanan County was named after James Buchanan, who was the President of the United States at that time. It was made up of 24 smaller areas called townships. These townships are now the northern part of what we know today as Pine County, Minnesota.

Where Was It Located?

The main town, or "county seat," for Buchanan County was a place called Fortuna. Today, this town is known as Sandstone. Buchanan County didn't last very long. In 1861, just four years after it was created, it was officially ended. Its land became part of Pine County.

The Idea of Bringing It Back

Even though Buchanan County was dissolved a long time ago, some people in Pine County thought about bringing it back. In recent years, some residents suggested splitting Pine County into two parts again. This would have created a new Buchanan County.

This idea was put to a vote in 2000. When people vote on a specific question like this, it's called a referendum. However, the idea was voted against, so Buchanan County was not brought back.