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During the rapid expansion of our nation during the
middle of the nineteenth century, a hardy group of
pioneers from the state of Maine settled on the lush, green
prairie of central Minnesota. A historical marker now
stands at the site of the original settlement, near the north
end of Lake Carnelian.
The village of Maine Prairie had its rustic beginning in
1856. This pioneer village included churches, stores, two
lodge halls, a blacksmith shop and cheese factory. The
village also featured a two and half story tamarack log
fort, which stood just beyond the location of the present
granite marker. The fort was built to protect area settlers
during the Sioux uprising of 1862. The fort was never
attacked. Families and farms soon flourished in the area.
One hundred years ago, the location of a railroad could
make or break a new community. In 1886 the Soo Line
Railroad decided to by-pass Maine Prairie, in favor of
Kimball Prairie, five miles to the south. The railroad
brought about a rapid decline of the older village. Most of
the Maine Prairie buildings were moved into Kimball,
while the last building burned in 1919, “leaving not a
trace of the once prosperous village of Maine Prairie”.
With the arrival of the railroad, Kimball became a regular
passenger and freight stop for shipping of farm products,
building materials and merchandise. The railroad also
created local jobs and Kimball continued to grow. Where
there were settlers there were churches. Often the
churches went up before the houses.
Kimball’s original school building burned down in 1911.
The village promptly erected a large brick structure which
was replaced in 1989 with a new elementary facility.
The town hall was constructed in 1908. The building is
now designated an “historical” building and will be
preserved as a national monument. A blacksmith shop,
livery stable, saw mill, general store, confectionery store,
filling station, hardware store and creamery were
necessary symbols of work and growth in the city.
During this century many businesses have come and
gone. New businesses have been established to replace
those that disappeared. Today, Kimball is a handsome,
modern town with pleasant streets, attractive homes,
churches and businesses.
