Olivia, Minnesota is the county seat of Renville County. The main routes through the city are US Highways 71 and 212. Concentrated just east of the intersection of Highways 71 and 212, the city’s borders have extended in a strip around Highway 71 to the west. Danube is west of Olivia, while Bird Island is to the east. These are Olivia’s closest neighbors. Willmar is about twenty-five miles north of Olivia. The small city of Olivia is largely agricultural yet today. In 1878, there was a small prairie settlement there, which was incorporated as a village in 1881. Olivia was named by Albert B. Rogers, a civil engineer employed by the Milwaukee Railroad, who was responsible for naming the towns established along the railroad line. In the case of Olivia, the town was named for the first station agent placed in Ortonville, whose name was Olive. The village of Olivia was chosen as the county seat in 1894 by election but the Minnesota Supreme Court reversed the election on appeal, returning the seat to Beaver Falls. A 1900 election again gave the designation to Olivia, after which four Olivia residents took the county records from Beaver Falls in the middle of the night, bringing them to Olivia. They were jailed, and the records were returned to Beaver Falls, but the 1900 election results were upheld in 1901, and Olivia has been the seat of government for the county since. Still rural, agriculture is a significant part of the area’s economy. Olivia is home to nine seed research companies, two seed production companies, an edible bean plant, a worldwide corn broker, and other industries related to agriculture, Olivia was recognized by the state legislature as the Corn Capital of the World. In 1973, a large corn statue was erected at Memorial Park to commemorate the fact that modern hybrid seed corn production began in Olivia. Never a large city, Olivia’s peak population year was in 1980, when its population was 2,802.
Recommended Resources
Locally owned and operated, the grocery store is on West Lincoln Avenue in Olivia, Minnesota. An overview of the store is presented, including its in-store services, departments, weekly advertising, discount coupons, recipes, and contacts. Directions, hours of operation, and employment opportunities are published to the site, and a shopping list may be completed online.
http://bdmarketolivia.com/
Based in Olivia, Minnesota, the public school system offers a PK-12th grade curriculum through a high school and preschool in Olivia, and and elementary school in Bird Island. Campus locations, schedules, staff and faculty contacts, and a school calendar are posted, along with policy information, reports, school board members, agendas and minutes, and district forms and notices.
https://bold.k12.mn.us/
Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church
Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the church is located on West Chestnut Avenue in Olivia, Minnesota. Offering Sunday School each Sunday morning and worship services on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, its schedules and a calendar of events are published to the site, along with a prayer list and prayer request form, an overview of its ministries and programs.
http://crossofcalvary.net/
The Chamber is a membership organization made up of business owners and others in the Olivia, Minnesota region. Member benefits, a member directory, and a profile of the organization is put forth, along with a profile and history of the community, area resources, and Chamber projects and programs. A calendar of events is included, along with community promotional material.
http://www.oliviachamber.org/
Specializing in the sale and servicing of Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram vehicles, the auto dealership is on West Lincoln Avenue in Olivia, Minnesota. Its location, hours of operation, and contacts are posted to the site, and its new and used inventory may be viewed online, or searched by year or make. Special offers are highlighted, and its finance options, service center, and parts departments are featured.
http://www.oliviachryslercenter.com/
Established in 1928, the nine-hole golf course in Olivia, Minnesota features bent grass greens and tee boxes, a driving range and putting green, pro shop and rental carts, golf lessons and instruction. Its location, course news, tee times, rates, scorecard, membership information, and course photos are posted to the site. A calendar of events, course records, and course champions are featured.
http://www.oliviagolfclub.com/
Located on South 10th Street in Olivia, Minnesota, the library is part of the Pioneerland Library System. Its hours of operation are posted to the site, with staff contacts, and a calendar of events, as well as an overview of its services, reference and research facilities, programs, and policies. New items are highlighted, and several online resources are available to account holders.
https://www.olivia.lib.mn.us/
The official web site for the Olivia, Minnesota municipal government identifies city council members, offers administrative contacts and office hours, council meeting agendas and minutes, a zoning map, employment opportunities, and a a guide to local attractions and events, schools, churches, parks, and public facilities, including the city compost site, liquor store, and senior services.
http://olivia.mn.us/
Family owned and operated, the dealership in Olivia, Minnesota offers snowmobiles, snow sleds, ATVs, side by sides, and golf carts, new and pre-owned. Its location, hours of operation, company information, contacts, and a financing form is available. Its new and pre-owned inventory may be viewed online, with featured products highlighted, and its services are discussed.
http://www.stsportsolivia.com/
Headquartered in Olivia, Minnesota, Thurston is one of the largest hybrid seed corn brokerage firms in the United States. Its services include wholesale contracting, seed production contracting, custom quality assurance programs, and inventory management, specializing in a range of hybrid seed corn and soybean activities to support its wholesale and production contracting services.
http://www.thurstoninc.net/
