Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce history

11) George Ruble came to the area in July 1855, to find a mill site.

In 1856, a stage line commenced running through Albert Lea. (Neill, p.364) The first store established…was that of Julius Clark, who coming west from Ohio in the spring of 1856, was persuaded by Mr.

In the spring of 1857, the pair opened a store and a hotel.

“Until May 11, 1858, the village had no local government, but at that time the citizens of Albert Lea township perfected a town government for the village of Albert Lea, electing a village board of supervisors with Doctor A. C. Wedge as chairman.

In 1859, David South began operating a store in Scott's hotel.

NOTICE. - All persons indebted to the Freeborn County Eagle are hereby cautioned not to pay the same to any one except on my order as a change in the management has been affected, and the office with all the accounts contracted previous to the 21st of May, 1860, has fallen into my hands.

The local post office was established in 1863 in another section of the township with M. W. Campbell as postmaster.

Jason Goward [Source: Minnesota Gazetteer and Business Directory for 1865] tr. by mkk General Dealer in DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, Paints and Oils, Crockery, Queensware, Hardware, Cutlery, Clothing of all sorts, Drugs and Medicines, And every variety of Goods generally kept in a Country Store.

One of the stories that has been told and retold throughout the years is the Twin Lakes tragedy, when two Civil War veterans were drowned in November 1866.

In 1867, a wind powered Flourmill began operating.

The bonus was granted in 1871 through a bond issue.

The first school session in the village was held in the Grange Hall in 1875.

When railroad track was laid in 1877, A. Johnson bought 20 acres of land on the west side of the railway and platted it into town lots.

With the growth of the village, however, problems were encountered…” (Tribune, p.11) The need for local city government became apparent. “In the winter of 1878, the city charter was granted by the State Legislature.

June 21, 1880 Police force reduced to Chief and one watchman

In 1882 Freeborn had two general stores, a blacksmith shop, wagon repair shop, broom factory and shoemaking shop.

The village was formed in 1890 when the Clarks Grove Creamery opened on the northwest corner of the P. C. Christianson farm.

Later in 1891, farmers met in the John Niebuhr hall in Mansfield and a creamery association was organized.

May 24, 1892 Police given duty to inspect sidewalks.

A creamery opened in 1893.

1895 Chief required to wear uniform.

The first council meeting was June 15, 1898 and the council president was H. N. Thurston.

Emmons was incorporated in 1899 and the first president of the council was G. H. Emmons.

The new village began on a farm owned by William Morin and was platted in 1900.

The bonds became due in 1901 and a question was raised about their legality.

In 1903 the creamery was erected and began operating with Henry Sprenger as butter maker.

24, 1904, the building was raised and loaded on a flatcar and move to the site.

The problem was solved when the village was reincorporated in 1908.

The Hollandale colony was started in 1919 by the Albert Lea Farms Company, which began the development of about 15,000 acres of swamp.

The settlers began arriving in the late 1920’s from Holland.

Conger received its first electric lights during the winter of 1921, receiving energy from a plant in a garage.

Hayward was incorporated in 1924.

The plight of farmers during the winter of 1928-29 was said to be pitiful.

The farmers who stayed for the summer of 1929 found that the rain and frost didn’t come as it did during the previous few years.

Twin Lakes named for Lakes Located Nearby Albert Lea Tribune Sunday, July 4, 1976, Pg 16 Submitted by Michael Nelson The village of Twin Lakes received its name from the nearby Twin Lakes.

2004 Police Department was moved into new Freeborn County Government Center at 411 S. Broadway Ave.