Freedhem, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Freedhem, Minnesota
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 Freedhem, Minnesota
Location in Minnesota
Freedhem, Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Morrison |
| Township | Belle Prairie |
| Elevation | 1,260 ft (380 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
56345
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| Area code(s) | 320 |
| GNIS feature ID | 643920 |
Freedhem is a small, historic community in Morrison County, Minnesota, United States. It is an unincorporated community, which means it is not officially a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it is part of Belle Prairie Township. Freedhem is located near other places like Little Falls and Pierz.
A Swedish Settlement in Minnesota
Freedhem began as a special place for Swedish settlers in the early 1900s. It quickly became an important farming area in Morrison County. The community was known for its busy farmers' co-operative creamery. This was a place where local farmers could bring their milk to be made into butter and other dairy products. Freedhem also had a general store, which sold all sorts of goods that people needed. There were also two Swedish churches, showing the strong faith of the people who lived there.
How Freedhem Got Its Name
The name "Freedhem" has a special meaning. The first church in the settlement, the Swedish Free Evangelical, was started in the home of Sam Bloom. During one of their meetings, the settlers decided on a name for their new community. They chose "Freedhem," which comes from Swedish words meaning "Peaceful Home." This name perfectly described the quiet and welcoming feeling of the settlement.
In May 1901, the Swedish Free Evangelical church became officially recognized. The Bloom family generously gave two acres of their land. This land was used to build the church and create a burial ground for the community members.
Two Churches for a Growing Community
As more and more people moved to Freedhem, the community grew. This growth created a need for another church. Besides the Swedish Free Evangelical church, settlers wanted a Lutheran church. A meeting was held at A.J. Bergquist's home to plan this new church. They decided to build it right in Freedhem and named it Swedish Lutheran Zion. Both churches played a big role in the lives of the Swedish settlers in Freedhem.
