Evansville, Minnesota was officially platted in 1879 when the railroad completed its tracks into Douglas County, although the community began around 1858 when Evan Evanson, the first mail carrier serving the area, chose to rest there along his route from St. Cloud to Fort Abercrombie in North Dakota. In 1859, he built a shanty along a spring, and that became a stopping point for a stage line operated by J.C. Burbank and Company of St. Paul, as well as the base around which others put up homes. This station remained open until the Indian outbreak of 1862, when the community was temporarily abandoned. Many of the early settlers went to Sauk Centre and St. Cloud until soldiers arrived to provide protection as the men returned to tend to their crops. The soldiers remained until 1866. A townsite was laid out by Jacob Shanar in 1872, but since he failed to record it, the official townsite was laid out by Lorentz Johnson in 1879, and named for Evan Evanson. Gustav Willius laid out a new village which he named East Evansville, which was later combined with Evansville. The city was incorporated in 1881. Evansville is served by County Roads 1, 5 and 82, while Interstate Highway 94 passes just south of the city. Nearby communities include Brandon, Erdahl, Melby, and Millerville. Wahpteon, North Dakota is about fifty-five miles northwest of Evansville.
Recommended Resources
Serving the Brandon and Evansville, Minnesota communities, the public school district operates elementary schools in Brandon and Evansville, a middle school in Evansville, and a high school in Brandon. District calendars, notices, and policies are published to the site, along with various reports and plans.
http://www.b-e.k12.mn.us/
Affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church, the Evansville, Minnesota congregation’s beliefs and practices are outlined, a weekly service schedule is tendered, and a calendar of upcoming programs and events is published to the site, along with contacts, office numbers, and announcements.
http://calvarycovenant.org/
A history and profile of the city is featured on the official municipal web site. An archive of city council agendas and minutes are posted, along with a calendar of events, administrative and departmental contacts, and a guide to local services, facilities, organizations, schools, and businesses.
http://www.evansvillemn.com/
Evansville Historical Foundation
The organization was set up for the purpose of preserving the history of Evansville, Minnesota and the surrounding area, and its site offers organizational contacts, meeting notices, and descriptions and photographs of identified historical places, announces special events, tours, and genealogical resources.
http://evansvillemn.net/
The dealership in Evansville, Minnesota specializes in the sale of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides, generators, chainsaws, and mowers, as well as parts, clothing, and accessories. Its location, hours of operation, products, services, and special offers are published to the site.
http://www.evansvillesportsandlawn.com/
Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the congregation serves the Evansville, Minnesota community. A staff directory, contact information, office hours, and service schedules are posted, with a calendar of events, and an overview of the church’s ministries and projects.
http://www.faithlutheranevansvillemn.org/
North Central Reforestation, Inc.
Headquartered in Evansville, Minnesota, NCR specializes in growing containerized tree seedings, most of them native to the north-central United States of Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin and Michigan. Also offering bareroot stock, its products are featured online, including ordering and shipping information and tips on planting and caring for these new trees.
http://www.ncrtrees.com/
