Garen, Minnesota facts for kids

Garen was once a small community in Washington County, Minnesota. Today, Garen is an abandoned townsite. This means it's a place where people used to live, but now it's empty.

Garen's Past

Garen was a small town. It was located just south of Forest Lake, Minnesota. You can find its old location near present-day U.S. Route 61 and 190th Street.

The Garen Schoolhouse

The Garen South School was an important part of the community. It opened in 1893. The school had five different grade levels for its students. Sadly, the school building later burned down.

Warm Meals at School

A historian from Forest Lake shared a special memory about the school. On cold winter days, mothers took turns bringing hot food for the children. They would bring warm dishes like soup, baked beans, or scalloped potatoes. This was a loving addition to the cold lunches the children brought from home. The school even had an oil stove for cooking. Sometimes, the children enjoyed hot chocolate, which was a real treat!