Newfolden, Minnesota is located along the Middle River, in Marshall County, which is in the northwestern part of the state. US Highway 59 intersects County Road 28 in Newfolden. Nearby communities include England, Florian, Foldahl, Holt, Middle River, and Strandquist. Thief River Falls is about eighteen miles south of Newfolden. A post office has been in operation in Newfolden since 1896, and the community was named for Folden, Norway. When the Soo Line Railroad decided to acquire land to build a station and village in a wooded area along the Middle River in 1903, settlers thought that a better place for the rail station would be in their village of New Folden, which was two miles south, in the center of New Folden Township, and already had a post office and store. The railroad found that the river and woods of the new site to be a more attractive site, and they could purchase it cheaply. The Soo Line named its new village Baltic, for the Baltic Elevators that were built along the rail line. The mostly Scandinavian settlers of the village did not like the name, however, so they moved the post office from New Folden to the new site, and named it Newfolden. In 1904, the railroad purchased a 160-acre homestead from a local farmer and 40 acres from another. By 1905, Newfolden had a population of 180, and included a milling company, three stores, a lumber company, a livestock shipper, implement dealership, two hotels, a restaurant, a hard and soft drinks establishment, grist mill, a drug, confectionary and tobacco store, and a bank. Never a large town, Newfolden has a population of just over three hundred as of the 2010 census, but its business district is alive, and the small town has a community center, fire station, churches, schools, government offices, and a number of businesses.
Recommended Resources
The cattle farm in Newfolden, Minnesota produces purebred Black Angus cattle, offering substantial acreage, good grazing, and fresh water, as well as the ability to range through fields and wooded areas. Holding annual production sales in the early spring, it sales schedules are posted, with a gallery of photographs depicting the farm and its animals. A profile of the farm, and contact information is included.
http://www.circlejangus.com/
Marshall County Central Schools
Headquartered in Newfolden, Minnesota, the public school district serves the towns of Newfolden, Viking and Holt, in the Red River Valley. The district offers a PK-12th grade curriculum through an early childhood program, Viking Elementary School, Newfolden Elementary School, MCC High School, and a community education program, each of which are highlighted here, along with a district calendar, menus, and a staff directory.
http://www.newfolden.k12.mn.us/
Maintained by the Newfolden Coop Elevator Association, the grain elevator serves Red River Valley farms from its location in Newfolden, Minnesota. Wheat, soybean, corn, and oat futures are listed, along with cash bid prices, discounts, and protein scales. The association board of directors are listed, along with a calendar of events, contacts, blogs, and a discussion forum.
http://www.newfoldenelevator.com/
Newfolden Evangelical Free Church
Serving the Newfolden, Minnesota community, the congregation is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church in America. A statement of beliefs and an overview of its programs and ministries are put forth, along with a calendar of weekly services and programs, upcoming events, and outreach activities, staff contacts and office hours, and an archive of recent sermons.
http://www.newfoldenefc.org/
Newfolden: Best Kept Secret in Northern Minnesota
The official municipal web site offers a profile of the community, a calendar of events, town meeting schedules and minutes, staff contacts and office hours, public notices and information about city services and facilities. A gallery of photographs and a city newsletter are included, and various municipal forms and ordinances may be downloaded from the site.
http://www.ci.newfolden.mn.us/
