National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, Minnesota facts for kids

Location of Douglas County in Minnesota

This page lists amazing places in Douglas County, Minnesota, that are on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a special list of important buildings, areas, and sites across the United States. These places are chosen because they have a lot of history or are very special in some way.

Douglas County has 14 places on this list. There was also one other place that used to be on the list but isn't anymore. You can see where these places are on an online map if their exact location is shared.

Historic Places in Douglas County

	Name on the Register	Image	Date listed	Location	City or town	Description
1	Alexandria Public Library		August 23, 1985 (#85001817)	7th Ave., W. and Fillmore St. 45°53′06″N 95°22′44″W / 45.885061°N 95.378811°W / 45.885061; -95.378811 (Alexandria Public Library)	Alexandria	This library is one of the biggest Carnegie libraries in west-central Minnesota. It was built in 1903. Andrew Carnegie, a very rich businessman, helped fund many libraries like this one across the country. The building is also known for its beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture style, designed by Henry A. Foeller.
2	Alexandria Residential Historic District		January 11, 1991 (#90002120)	Roughly bounded by Cedar and Douglas Sts. and Lincoln and 12th Aves. 45°52′57″N 95°22′59″W / 45.882473°N 95.382995°W / 45.882473; -95.382995 (Alexandria Residential Historic District)	Alexandria	This is a large and well-preserved neighborhood from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It has 59 houses that show how people lived and what kind of architecture was popular back then. Many important people in Alexandria, like doctors and lawyers, lived in these homes.
3	Basswood Shores Site		April 8, 1994 (#94000338)	Address restricted	Alexandria vicinity	This site was a temporary campsite used by people during the Late Woodland period. This was a time in history before Europeans arrived in North America. Scientists found special pottery here called Sandy Lake Ware. This pottery is linked to the possible ancestors of the Dakota people. The exact location is kept secret to protect the site.
4	Brandon Auditorium and Fire Hall		August 29, 1985 (#85001928)	105 Holmes Ave. 45°57′52″N 95°35′52″W / 45.964446°N 95.597864°W / 45.964446; -95.597864 (Brandon Auditorium and Fire Hall)	Brandon	This unique building was constructed between 1935 and 1936. It was part of the WPA, a program during the Great Depression. The WPA helped create jobs and build public buildings. This building is seen as one of Minnesota's most creative WPA projects. Today, it is known as the Brandon History Center.
5	Thomas F. Cowing House		August 23, 1985 (#85001821)	316 Jefferson St. 45°53′19″N 95°22′24″W / 45.88872°N 95.37343°W / 45.88872; -95.37343 (Thomas F. Cowing House)	Alexandria	This house is a rare example of Gothic Revival architecture in the region. It's one of Alexandria's oldest buildings, built around 1875. It belonged to Thomas F. Cowing and later Gustave Kortsch. Both were important local merchants and leaders in the community.
6	Douglas County Courthouse		August 23, 1985 (#85001816)	320 7th Ave., W. 45°53′03″N 95°22′54″W / 45.884142°N 95.381643°W / 45.884142; -95.381643 (Douglas County Courthouse)	Alexandria	Built in 1895, this courthouse was designed by Buechner & Jacobson. It's the biggest surviving Victorian architecture building in Douglas County. For a long time, it has been the main place for the county's government.
7	Great Northern Passenger Depot		August 15, 1985 (#85001760)	N. Broadway and Agnes Boulevard 45°53′30″N 95°22′44″W / 45.89167°N 95.378859°W / 45.89167; -95.378859 (Great Northern Passenger Depot)	Alexandria	This train station was built in 1907 for the Great Northern Railway. It's one of the largest and most decorated stations in Minnesota. It shows how important the railroad was for Alexandria and its growing tourism industry. Today, it has been turned into a restaurant.
8	John B. Johnson House		December 9, 1977 (#77000730)	U.S. Route 52 45°52′02″N 95°08′59″W / 45.867235°N 95.149611°W / 45.867235; -95.149611 (John B. Johnson House)	Osakis	This house is very unusual because it's shaped like a hexagon (a six-sided figure) and has steep rooflines. It was built around 1886. The owner hoped its unique shape would help it stand strong against powerful winds.
9	Lake Carlos State Park WPA/Rustic Style Group Camp		July 2, 1992 (#92000776)	Off Minnesota Highway 29 on the northeastern shore of Lake Carlos 45°59′31″N 95°20′50″W / 45.991944°N 95.347222°W / 45.991944; -95.347222 (Lake Carlos State Park WPA/Rustic Style Group Camp)	Carlos vicinity	These two park facilities were built between 1941 and 1942. They are important examples of the New Deal programs, which provided jobs during the Great Depression. They also show how Minnesota's state parks were developed and feature the National Park Service rustic design style, which uses natural materials.
10	Lake Carlos State Park WPA/Rustic Style Historic District		July 2, 1992 (#89001654)	Off Minnesota Highway 29 on the northwestern shore of Lake Carlos 45°59′43″N 95°20′41″W / 45.995278°N 95.344722°W / 45.995278; -95.344722 (Lake Carlos State Park WPA/Rustic Style Historic District)	Carlos vicinity	This area includes three park buildings constructed from 1938 to 1942. Like the group camp, they are important examples of the New Deal federal work programs. They also show the growth of Minnesota's state parks and feature the rustic design style, often using split stone.
11	Knute Nelson House		April 13, 1977 (#77000729)	1219 S. Nokomis St. 45°52′41″N 95°21′59″W / 45.878003°N 95.366494°W / 45.878003; -95.366494 (Knute Nelson House)	Alexandria	This house was built in 1872 and later updated in 1915. It was the home of Knute Nelson (1843–1923), an important Norwegian-American politician. He served as a U.S. Representative, Governor of Minnesota, and a U.S. Senator. Today, the house is home to the Douglas County Historical Society.
12	August Tonn Farmstead		September 25, 1985 (#85002485)	County Road 65 45°59′39″N 95°17′09″W / 45.994167°N 95.285833°W / 45.994167; -95.285833 (August Tonn Farmstead)	Carlos vicinity	This farm is a rare and complete example of an early pioneer farm. It shows how people built and lived on farms in the late 1800s. It includes seven original buildings, many made from logs, built between 1875 and 1890.
13	U.S. Post Office-Alexandria		April 16, 1979 (#79001238)	625 Broadway St. 45°53′06″N 95°22′38″W / 45.884949°N 95.377319°W / 45.884949; -95.377319 (U.S. Post Office-Alexandria)	Alexandria	This post office was built in 1910 in the Renaissance Revival architecture style. It's a great example of government buildings from before World War I. It also shows how important Alexandria was for communication in west-central Minnesota.
14	Noah P. Ward House		August 23, 1985 (#85001822)	422 7th Ave., W. 45°53′04″N 95°23′00″W / 45.884515°N 95.383424°W / 45.884515; -95.383424 (Noah P. Ward House)	Alexandria	This is one of the largest and most detailed Victorian architecture houses in Alexandria. It was built around 1903 for Noah P. Ward (1855–1927). He was an early businessman and a leader in the community. This house is also part of the Alexandria Residential Historic District.

Former Listings