City of MONTROSE
Photo from Montrose, MN Facebook Page
The village of Montrose was incorporated in 1881, and
the first officers were elected. Montrose was located on the
Great Glacier Trail (which would become Highway 12) about
35 miles west of Minneapolis. Montrose was surrounded by
the beautiful prairies and lakes. A period of growth followed.
New businesses come to town, the post office was moved into
the Railroad Station (from George Wright’s house) and the
population of Montrose was about 200. Montrose was named
by the first settler, George M. Wright after a town in his home
state of Pennsylvania. In 1920, a Constitutional Amendment
was ratified (called the “good roads amendment”) which
was established to connect the county seats in Minnesota.
Highway 12 was officially established and a second main
highway (State Highway 25) crossed Montrose. Highway 25
connects Buffalo to the north and Watertown to the south.
Most of the businesses in Montrose were located on
Railroad Street in the early days of the village. In 1904, the
first Montrose School burned and was replaced in 1905 by
a new school. In 1909, the Reverend P.J. Blumekranz held
the first Lutheran Service in Montrose. In 1918, the electrical
age dawned in Montrose. The 1930s saw the business district
move outward to U.S. Highway 12 after fires destroyed most
of the buildings on Railroad Street. Montrose 1930 “strip”
included Onstott’s hotel, Lundsten Lumber, Red’s Coffee Bus
and Eckerman’s Grocery.
Many things have changed since those early days,
however the strong sense of community and values that the
original homesteaders cherished remain. A way of life that
fosters involvement through many volunteer organizations
(Fire Department, Boy Scouts, Lions and many more) still
remains the cornerstone of Montrose. Nestled among a
serene agricultural splendor, the City of Montrose is an
example of the small town atmosphere that founded not
only the state of Minnesota but the country.
Montrose City Hall is located at 311 Buffalo Ave. S.
Phone: 763-575-7422
Website: www.montrose-mn.com
Office open 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday
and 7-11 a.m. Friday
City council meetings are the second Monday of each
month at 7 p.m. at the Community Center.
The council consists of Mayor Michelle Otto and council
members Lloyd Johnson, Ben Kuehl, Tom Marszalek, and
Kirby Moynagh.
The Jerome
Venue and Private Offices
127 Bridge Ave E, Delano, MN 55328
Dale and Lynn Graunke
612-554-4706
DelanoHeraldJournal.com/guide
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