Wadena, Minnesota is the county seat of Wadena County, although a small portion of the city crosses over into Otter Tail County.
Besides the small residential area in the lower west part of the city that is in Otter Tail County, a narrow strip of land within the city limits, mostly following US Highway 71 northeast, from the northeastern part of the city, connects it to another portion of the city, north of the Leaf River, which largely includes the White Tail Run Golf Course and a small residential area to the east of the course.
The main routes through the city are US Highways 10 and 71, and Minnesota State Highway 29.
Wadena is surrounded by Wadena Township and Leaf River Township in Wadena County, and by Compton Township and Bluffton in Otter Tail County. The city of Bluffton is about six miles northwest, Verndale seven miles southeast, Hewitt nine miles south, Deer Creek ten miles southwest, and Sebeka fifteen miles north.
Wadena was settled in 1871, and named for the Ojibwe Chief Wadena. A post office was established there in 1873, and Wadena was incorporated in 1881. A railroad depot was built there, which served the Great Northern Railway and the Northern Pacific Railroad.
Early in the history of Wadena, the Northern Pacific Railroad attempted to encourage Scottish immigrants to settle the region and purchase land acquired by the railroad. Somehow, these immigrants were combined with another group of immigrants from England
They first came to Wadena, then toured the Red River Valley, settling on Wadena because the water was good and there was a supply of timber.
They came to Wadena by train. Prominent among the Scottish settlers were the Andersons, Camerons, Davidsons, Stewarts, Strangs, Wilsons, and the Thomas and Jim Robb families. Among the English were the Ashburners, Askews, Broadfoots, Hursts, Kissacks, Rawsons, and John Stewart, his wife Mattie, and their four children.
The Northern Pacific promised to build the settlers a church and a school, and the Furness Colony was to have been founded on Christian values. However, there were disputes among the two different groups of settlers, and the 1873 recession prompted the railroad to abandon them to their own resources. The Rev. Richard Bailey, one of the leaders of the English group, returned to England.
A group of the English settlers settled southeast of Wadena, forming the unincorporated community of England Prairie, but others north and east, some within the area that would become the city of Wadena. Many of the Swiss remained also, joining other settlers who came to create the city.
Henry Franklin Burch came to Wadena in 1877, taking a job as a clerk in the Pineo & Yeaton General Store. The following year, he opened the Henry Burch Cash Store. In 1880, Charles Peake bought the Pineo & Yeaton General Store, creating the Peake Store. Later that year, Burch and Peake entered into a partnership to form the Peake & Burch General Store. In 1885, Burch bought Peake's interest in the store, forming the H.F. Burch Store. In 1907, Burch took on Theodore Thompson as a partner, renaming the store the Model Department Store. When the partnership dissolved in 1910, Burch retained the business. After World War I, his sons took over the business, which became Burch Brothers Grocery Store until it closed in 1938.
In 1910, John Frederick Peterson and Daniel H. Biddick formed a wholesale produce company in Wadena, buying and selling chickens and eggs, as well as dealing in hay, potatoes, dressed veal, hogs, and other farm products. In 1916, the built the Peterson Biddick Seed and Feed Company, which expanded over the years, adding grain elevators, garages, and a feed mixing operation. In 1997, the company became Wemnsman Seed Company.
Other early businesses included the Commercial Hotel, the Merchants Hotel, the First National Bank, and the Wadena Cracker Factory, which sustained a serious fire in November of 1904.
In a quarrel over the location of the county seat, the citizens of Verndale, just southeast of Wadena, built a large courthouse building and offered it to Wadena County if the seat of government were moved to Verndale. Wadena matched the offer, and an election was held in 1886 to decide the matter. Wadena won the election by 474 votes. The election was appealed to the state Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Wadena.
In 2010, the city was hit by a tornado that was over a mile wide at its peak, and on the ground for ten miles, damaging about thirty percent of the homes in Wadena, as well as the city's community center and high school.
This is a guide to the city and township of Wadena. Websites representing the municipal, township, or county governments are appropriate for this category, as well as those of local businesses, churches, schools, and organizations.
Categories
Faith & Spirituality |
 
 
Recommended Resources
The official municipal website offers an introduction to the city, project notifications and other announcements, a city newsletter, and a calendar of upcoming community events. Guides to visiting Wadena or moving to the city are offered, and links to various community sites are included. The city council and officials are acknowledged, council meeting agendas and minutes are posted, and employment opportunities are featured.
http://www.wadena.org/
Opened as the Savoy Theatre in 1912, its original location was across the street from where it is located now. Its history and a company profile are set forth, with an overview of the three-screen theater. Currently running movies are highlighted, with movie trailers, schedules, and ticket prices. Upcoming movies are announced and described, and its location is shown on a map. A contact form is included.
http://www.cozytheatre.com/
The Wadena, Minnesota company specializes in the construction, service, maintenance, restoration, and expansion of pipe organs throughout the Midwestern United States, including routine tuning, extensive repairs, and new instruments. A list of current and completed projects and details for each is given, and an overview of its products and services are included. MP3 audios of its organs are available.
http://www.moepipeorgan.com/
Located on US Highway 71 in Wadena, Minnesota, the auto dealership carries an inventory of pre-owned cars, trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles. Its inventory may be searched by keyword or sorted by price, year, make, model, or mileage. Photographs and, in some cases, video are presented, with details about each car, mileage, and asking prices. Directions, operating hours, and contacts are included.
https://www.spearauto.com/
Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative
Formed in the late 1930s, the electric cooperative operates through voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, and member participation. The cooperative is autonomous, and provides education and training for its members, and concern for the community. Its history, guiding principles, services, annual meeting schedules, and its articles and bylaws are featured.
https://toddwadena.coop/
The private, not-for-profit healthcare corporation is managed by an eleven-member volunteer governing board. Besides its hospital in Wadena, Tri-County operates clinics in Bertha, Henning, Ottertail, Sebeka, Verndale, and Wadena, Minnesota. Its providers and clinics are featured, including hours of operation, contacts, and other details. An overview of its services, educational programs, and other resources are included.
https://www.tchc.org/
Made up of business owners and professional people in Wadena, Minnesota and the surrounding region, the Chamber is a non-profit organization that organizes annual events and activities for the Wadena community, offers networking opportunities for its members, and advocates for its members and the business community at large. General information about the Chamber is given, and a business directory and calendar of events are included.
http://www.wadenachamber.com/
Maintained by the Wadena County Agricultural Society, the annual fair features a variety of events, such as fireworks, carnival rides, displays of 4-H projects, live music, and other entertainment events, food concessions, and other vendors. Schedules are posted, sponsors are acknowledged, and sponsorship opportunities are made known, along with grand champion ribbon sponsors and reserve champion ribbon sponsors.
https://www.wadenacountyfair.com/
Wadena County Historical Society
The non-profit organization was formed for the purpose of collecting and preserving the history of the county. It maintains a research library and genealogical research facility with records of the people, places, and events throughout the county, including its Native American, railroad, pioneer, and military heritage. Historical articles and photographs are displayed, and an overview of its museum is included.
http://wadenacountyhistory.org/
Organized in 1873, the city of Wadena is the county seat. the official county website features county commission agendas and minutes, commissioner districts, county maps, a GIS interactive map, property tax search feature, election information, bid opportunities, and a newsletter. Hours and directions to county departments and facilities are put forth, county parks and campgrounds are highlighted.
http://www.co.wadena.mn.us/
Chartered in 1917, the locally owned, independent bank has branches in Wadena, Bluffton, and Deer Creek, Minnesota. Its locations, lobby and drive-up hours, and express bank facility are featured, along with its terms, policies, disclosures, and a conversion booklet. Its personal and business banking services are featured, as well as its loan products. Checks can be reordered, and its procedures for opening a new account are defined.
https://www.wadenastatebank.com/
Wadena-Deer Creek Public Schools
Headquartered in the city of Wadena, Minnesota, School District #2155 provides a PK-12th-grade public school curriculum through a preschool, and elementary school, and a combined middle/high school, which are featured here, with schedules, a faculty directory, student handbooks, and access to various forms and other documents. Employment opportunities are published to the site.
http://www.wdc2155.k12.mn.us/
Featuring an 18-hole championship golf course and practice facility, the course is located in northeastern Wadena, Minnesota, along US Highway 71. Membership options are defined, a newsletter is posted, and its pro shop, practice facilities, and dining facilities are highlighted. Course details, rates, and online tee time bookings are available. Directions and special offers are posted to the site.
http://www.whitetailrungolfcourse.com/