Howard Lake, Minnesota is in Wright County, situated on the south shore of Howard Lake. Other lakes in the area include Mallard Pass Lake, Lake Ann, Dutch Lake, and Smith Lake. US Highway 12 is the main route through the city, and Howard Lake is east of Smith Lake and Cokato, and west of Waverly. Other nearby communities include Highland, Rice Lake, and Stockholm. Minneapolis is about forty miles east, and St. Cloud is forty miles north of Howard Lake. One of the first settlers in Wright County was Morgan V. Cochran, who was hired by a town site company in 1855 to set up a village named Lynden. He built the house and set the claim, but was never paid for his work. The following year, he too papers out on the tract and made his own improvements. The first house that he built became the community’s first school, and later a church. In 1863, Cochran sold his land to Charles Goodsell, who farmed the land until the railroad completed its tracks to the area in 1869, after which he platted the town site, originally naming it Howard. A post office was established under that name in 1870, but changed to Howard Lake in 1892. Since 1880, the city’s population has increased every census year except for 1910, when it decreased by 15.1%, and currently has a population of around two thousand.
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Situated on the western edge of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Howard Lake sits on the southern shore of Howard Lake, with several other lakes surrounding the city. The official city web site features city council agendas and minutes, the city council, committees, commissions, and staff, as well as fee schedules, a city profile, and a guide to area schools, facilities and services.
http://www.howard-lake.mn.us/
Organized in 1875, the congregation’s first church building was built in 1879, and its current facility was constructed in 1951. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), the congregation’s history, beliefs and practices are discussed, with a service schedule, calendar of events, and leadership contacts.
http://www.firstpreshl.org/
The annual event takes place at the Wright County Fairgrounds in Howard Lake, Minnesota, and includes a variety of activities such as parades, competitions, a carnival, food, and drinks. Sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and photos of past events are put forth, along with schedules and contacts.
http://howardlakegoodneighbordays.webs.com/
Published by the Herald Journal, the site features a history of the city and area resorts, period photographs, a profile of the community, and a guide to municipal offices and departments, schools, churches, organizations, businesses, and recreational facilities and opportunities, as well as nearby Middleville and Victor townships.
http://howardlakeheraldjournal.com/
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Public Schools
Independent School District #2687 serves the communities of Winsted, Waverly and Howard Lake, comprising an area of about one hundred and fifteen square miles, primarily in Wright County. Its high school and middle school are between Howard Lake and Winsted on County Road 6, while its elementary school and preschool are in Waverly and Winsted, Minnesota.
http://www.hlww.k12.mn.us/
The OCC congregation meets at its facilities on 5th Avenue in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Directions and a map show the location of the church, and an overview of its beliefs, its purpose, mission, and a statement of faith are set forth, with program schedules, a calendar of events, and sermon downloads.
http://www.howardlakechristianchurch.com/
St. James Lutheran Church and School
Currently affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, the Howard Lake, Minnesota congregation was formed in 1875. A history of the church and an introduction to its pastor are put forth, along with a calendar of events, volunteer or mission opportunities, and an overview of its Christian school.
https://www.stjameshl.org/
Affiliated with the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, the congregation was organized in 1884 as the Evangelical Lutheran Saint John’s Congregation, adopting its current name when it became a member of the American Lutheran Church in 1960. Its history and a roster of pastors, a church calendar, and contacts are posted.
http://www.stjohnshl.org/
The pizza place in Howard Lake, Minnesota was founded in 2011. Its history, location, and hours of operation are posted, and its menu, which includes appetizers, soups and salads, burgers and sandwiches, as well as dinner and a kid’s menu, is posted, and special offers are presented.
http://www.troublesrestaurant.com/
The annual summer fair is held at the county fairgrounds in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Photographs, video, and maps of the grounds are put forth, along with a fair schedule, a calendar of events, newsletter, guidebook, and sponsorships. Vendor forms and a list of web advertisers are presented.
http://www.wrightcountyfair.org/