Ulen, Minnesota facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Ulen
City
Commercial district
Location of Ulen, Minnesota
Ulen, Minnesota Location in Minnesota Show map of Minnesota Ulen, Minnesota Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Clay
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
Area
• Total	1.07 sq mi (2.77 km²)
• Land	1.07 sq mi (2.77 km²)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km²)
Elevation	1,148 ft (350 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	476
• Estimate (2021)	484
• Density	444.86/sq mi (171.83/km²)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	56585
Area code(s)	218
FIPS code	27-66136
GNIS feature ID	2397080

Ulen (pronounced YOO-lən) is a small city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States. It is located along the South Branch of the Wild Rice River. In 2020, about 476 people lived there.

Ulen is known for a special discovery. In 1911, a sword was found in a field by Hans O. Hansen. This sword, called the Ulen sword, is now on display at the Ulen Museum. Many people in Ulen and the surrounding area have Norwegian-American backgrounds.

The city is also the southern end of the Agassiz Recreational Trail. This trail is 53 miles long and is used for many activities. It was built on an old railroad track. The northern end of the trail is in Crookston, Minnesota. As of 2022, Mary A. Knopfler is the mayor of Ulen.

History of Ulen, Minnesota

Ulen Township was named after Ole Ulen, one of the first European settlers in the area. The city of Ulen officially became a village on November 12, 1896. Early leaders met in 1881 to organize the township. They were very concerned about building roads.

Building Early Roads

In the early days, there was no money for roads. So, every able-bodied man had to work two days a year building them. The very first road in Ulen was built in 1883.

Post Office and Railroad

The post office in Ulen started in 1884. Its name changed to Odneland in 1885, named after Ole Odneland, who was the postmaster and owned a general store. When the railroad came through in 1886, Odneland's store had to be moved.

First National Bank, 1910s

The Duluth and Manitoba Railway built tracks right through Ulen in 1886. Ole Asleson then planned out the town. The name was changed back to Ulen. Ole Christian Melbye became the new postmaster in 1887. He moved into the first house built in the village. Many Norwegian immigrants settled in Ulen. The town still celebrates its Nordic heritage today.

Ulen Historical Society

The Ulen Historical Society was first started in 1963. It was reorganized in 2004. This group runs the Ulen Museum. The museum is home to the famous Ulen sword. This sword was found by Hans O. Hansen in 1911 while he was plowing his farm. The museum used to be called the Viking Sword Museum.

Northwestern Bank's Role

Northwestern Bank has helped Ulen grow over the years. The bank moved to Ulen in 1941 and changed its name. In 1958, the bank reached a big milestone: $1 million in deposits. This first branch in Ulen is still very important to the local economy. It has grown and opened branches in other towns.

Improving Ulen's Water System

In 2005, Ulen faced a challenge with its water. The city's water wells had high levels of arsenic. Also, the old water pipes were breaking too often. Moore Engineering helped plan a new water treatment system. They also planned to replace the old water pipes.

Main Street, 1910s

The new water plant removes arsenic very well. Grants and loans helped pay for these improvements. This made sure Ulen's water supply was safe for everyone. Ulen has always been an agricultural community. It continues to grow with farms and small family businesses. West Central Ag Service runs the grain elevator in Ulen.

Geography of Ulen

Ulen is a small farming town located on the flat lands of western Minnesota. It is in Clay County, about 40 miles east of Fargo, North Dakota. The city covers about 1.07 square miles, all of it land. State Highway 32 is a main road through the community. Ulen's zip code is 56585. Ulen is also the southern end of the Agassiz Recreational Trail. This 53-mile trail is built on an old railroad path.

Population and People

Since 1900, Ulen's population has stayed between 300 and 600 people. It reached its highest point of 590 in the 1920s. Today, about 480 people live in Ulen. This makes it a rural area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2022, Ulen had the 8th highest number of Norwegian Americans in Minnesota, compared to its total population.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1900	317	—
1910	438	38.2%
1920	590	34.7%
1930	452	−23.4%
1940	562	24.3%
1950	525	−6.6%
1960	481	−8.4%
1970	486	1.0%
1980	514	5.8%
1990	547	6.4%
2000	532	−2.7%
2010	547	2.8%
2020	476	−13.0%
2021 (est.)	484	−11.5%
U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census

Ulen's Population in 2020

Residence of AP Brandvold, 1906

In 2020, Ulen had 476 people living in 204 households. About 99 of these were families. The city had about 444.8 people per square mile. Most residents (90.9%) were White. About 3.5% were Native American. Many people in Ulen have Norwegian ancestry.

About 17% of households had children under 18. The average household had 1.84 people. The average family had 2.66 people. The median age in Ulen was 63.4 years. About 17% of residents were under 18. And 47% were 65 years or older.

Ulen's Population in 2010

Public School, 2010s

In 2010, Ulen had 547 people living in 234 households. About 130 of these were families. The city had about 479.8 people per square mile. Most residents (93.1%) were White. Many people in Ulen have Norwegian ancestry.

About 26.9% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.16 people. The average family had 2.89 people. The median age in Ulen was 46.6 years. About 21.2% of residents were under 18. And 28% were 65 years or older.

Ulen's Economy

The Ulen Elevator

Ulen's economy is mainly based on farming and services for farms. The grain elevator in Ulen is run by West Central Ag Service. It is one of the biggest in Minnesota and employs over 190 workers. This makes Ulen an important farming center for nearby towns. The main offices and service shop for West Central Ag Service are in Ulen.

Other important businesses in the community include the Nordic Lounge, Viking Manor, Sanford Health Clinic, Northwestern Bank, Ulen Building and Supply, and the West Central Ag Service Ulen Convenience Store.

Utilities in Ulen

The Otter Tail Power Company provides electricity to Ulen. Arvig provides telephone and cable TV services.

Ulen Wheat

In 2006, a special type of wheat grown around Ulen was officially named 'Ulen' Wheat. This is because Ulen is a perfect area for this type of wheat to grow.

Education in Ulen

The Ulen-Hitterdal Public School serves Ulen and the nearby town of Hitterdal. It is a school for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school has modern buildings and many sports teams. The school mascot is the Titans, and their colors are black, blue, and gold.

Ulen also has a library called the Ulen LINK Site. It is part of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library system.

Ulen's Culture and Heritage

The sign of the Nordic Lounge

Ulen has a very large Norwegian American population. The Ulen Museum, which used to be called the Viking Sword Museum, shows this strong heritage. Many Norse and Viking items found in the area also show the town's pride in its Norwegian roots. Lena's Lefse, a local bakery, makes traditional lefse and other Norse baked goods.

Ulen's Veteran's Memorial

In the center of Ulen, on Main Street, is the Ulen's Veteran's Memorial Wall. This memorial honors Ulen residents who fought and died in American wars. The memorial was a joint project by the VFW and the Ulen Lions.

The Ulen Museum

The Ulen Museum opened on August 4, 2007. It is located on Ulen's main street (State Highway 32). The museum is run by the Ulen Historical Society. It works to preserve the rich history of Ulen. The Ulen Museum is home to the famous Ulen sword. This sword was found by Hans O. Hansen in 1911 while he was plowing his farm.

Ulen Days Festival

260-foot Turkey Barbecue Spit at Sword Days, 1969

Ulen Days (formerly Ulen Turkey Barbecue Days) is a yearly festival. It takes place on the third weekend in August and has been celebrated since 1962. The most popular part of the festival is the turkey barbecue. The turkey is cooked on "the world’s largest spit." The festival includes many activities like shows, sports games, raffles, and food trucks.

Local Theatre Group

The Top Hat Theatre is a theater group in Ulen. It was started in 2005. Their performances are held in the Barry J. Houglum Auditorium. This theater has 350 seats and is located inside the Ulen-Hitterdal Public School.

Community Organizations

Ulen has had many community groups throughout its history. These include the V.F.W., American Legion, bands, and orchestras. While some no longer exist, they were very important in building modern-day Ulen.

V.F.W. Post 5115

The VFW post was started on December 2, 1945. It was named after Sander Jacobson, who died while serving in World War II. The VFW has helped many organizations over the years. They support school scholarships, baseball teams, and the fire department. They also help with military funerals and Memorial Day programs.

Ulen Lions Organization

The Ulen Lions Club received its official charter on December 7, 1972. The Lions often raise money for the community. They use this money to give scholarships to high school students. They also provide eyeglasses for people in need. The Lions paid for the press box at the high school football field. They have also improved the softball field.

The Ulen Lions also donate to international causes. They support the LCIF, Leader Dog Fund, Eye Bank, and the Hearing Foundation. The Ulen Lions have also helped start Lions Clubs in Hitterdal and Flom.

Other Community Groups

In the past, Ulen had clubs like the Sand Ridge Saddle Club and the Ulen Gun Club. Today, Ulen still has active groups such as the Ulen Parent Teacher Organization, Ulen Historical Association, and Ulen 4-H Clubs. The town takes great pride in its Historical Association and 4-H Clubs.

Healthcare in Ulen

Ulen Community Clinic and Museum, 1960s

The Sanford Health Ulen Clinic provides healthcare services to Ulen and nearby areas. It offers family medicine, X-rays, and lab tests. They also provide immunizations and mammograms.

Ulen is an important place for healthcare for senior citizens. The Ulen Senior Citizens Center is a meeting place for older adults. The Viking Manor Nursing Home is another facility for seniors in Ulen. It is a long-term care facility with 45 beds.