New Prairie, Minnesota facts for kids

New Prairie is a ghost town located in Pope County, Minnesota, United States. It sits between the cities of Cyrus and Starbuck. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, often because the main reason for the town's existence, like a mine or a railroad, is no longer active.

What is a Ghost Town?

A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy community but is now mostly empty. People often leave these towns because their jobs disappear. This could happen if a mine closes or a railroad changes its route. When people move away, the buildings are often left empty. Over time, these towns can become quiet and sometimes even spooky.

History of New Prairie

New Prairie was once a small, active village. It had important services that helped the people living there.

The Post Office

One key part of New Prairie's history was its post office. A post office is where people send and receive mail. It was open from 1872 until 1883. Then, it closed for a while. It opened again later, from 1920 until 1946. Having a post office was very important for a town. It connected the people living there to the outside world. It also showed that the town was growing and needed these services.

The Railroad Station

New Prairie also had a station for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Railroads were like the highways of the past. They were vital for moving goods and people across the country. A railroad station meant that New Prairie was connected to bigger cities. It allowed farmers to send their crops to market. It also helped people travel to and from the town. When the railroad became less important, or if its route changed, towns like New Prairie often struggled. This could be one reason why people eventually moved away from the area.