The city of Osakis is primarily in Douglas County, but a small portion extends into Todd County. The city is situated on the southern shores of Lake Osakis, with Minnesota Highway 27 serving as the main route through the city. Faille Lake forms a portion of the eastern limits to the city. Nearby communities include Alexandria, Belle River, Carlos, Forada, Gutches Grove, Little Sauk, Nelson, Sauk Centre, Villard, Westport, and West Union. The Lake Osakis area was home to the Dakota Indians as early as seven or eight hundred years ago, and evidence of village sites have been found along the lake. The Chippewas and Ojibwe moved into the area, and the area became a battle ground between the Dakotas and the Ojibwe. The Dakota called the lake O-Za-Tee, meaning fork in the road or river. The Ojibwe knew it as Oh-za-kees, meaning Place of the Sauk, as the Sauk Indians inhabited the area for a short time. When Nicolous Nicollet published his map of the region in the 1800s, he referred to the lake as Osakis. The first recorded white settlement of the area was that of Mary Gordon and her family, who settled on the Didier Corner in 1857, building a log home that became a stage stop on the road from St. Paul to Fort Abercrombie. A blacksmith shop and store opened near the inn, and other settlers occupied surrounding land. During the Dakota War of 1862, the area was deserted, as settlers fled to Sauk Centre and St. Cloud. When the conflict was over, Donald Stevenson acquired a claim originally made by John Potter, opening a grist mill and a freight line that ran from St. Cloud to Fort Abercrombie, then had the village platted and helped to organize Douglas County, although he moved on to the Dakota Territory not long afterward. The railroad came to Osakis in 1878, providing a means for local farmers to ship their wheat, potatoes and livestock to market. In recent years, tourism has become an important industry, its population tripling in the summer months.
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The official web site for the Osakis, Minnesota city government posts its code of ordinances, comprehensive plan, ordinances, a city newsletter, and floodplain and zoning maps, as well as council meeting schedules, agendas and minutes, an annual municipal fee schedule, administrative and departmental contacts, and a community profile. Public notices are posted to the site.
http://www.cityofosakis.com/
Organized in 1899, the independent Lutheran church is located on 141st Avenue in Osakis, Minnesota. A map and directions to the church are put forth, along with a comprehensive history of the church, a statement of beliefs and practices, worship schedules, a calendar of programs and upcoming events, fellowship and outreach ministries, prayer requests, and a sermon archive.
http://www.osakiselimchurch.com/
Chartered in 1903, the family owned financial institution offers financial guidance, resources, and checking, savings, money markets, certificate of deposits, individual retirement accounts, health savings accounts, residential mortgage loans, commercial and agricultural loan products. Its history, location, banking services, rates, and a calendar of events are posted to the site.
https://fnbosakis.com/
Lake Osakis Resort Association
Promoting the city’s attraction as a resort area, the site offers a guide to area hotels, resorts, and campgrounds, as well as local trails, recreational areas and opportunities, including birding and fishing, local dining facilities, shopping venues, attractions, and events. Lodging specials are highlighted, and maps of the area are included. Advertising options may be available.
http://www.lakeosakismn.com/
The annual two-day event is held on Lake Osakis in the city of Osakis, Minnesota each June. Schedules, eligibility requirements, registration fees, fishing area and hours are defined, along with rules and regulations, payouts, and penalties. A registration form may be downloaded from the site in PDF format, and tournament results from past events are posted to the site.
http://www.osakisminnesotalionswalleyetournament.com/
Osakis Area Chamber of Commerce
Made up of business owners and others from the Osakis, Minnesota region, the Chamber is a non-profit organization promotes the community at large as well as its business members. The benefits to membership are outlined, and meeting schedules, project reports, and a calendar of events are posted, along with maps, a history of the community, and a guide to local attractions, events, and businesses.
http://visitosakis.com/
Organized in 1909, the Association was set up to help local milk producers to get a better price for their product, and has grown to become a leading feed, agriculture and farm supply within a wide radius of Osakis, Minnesota. Locally owned and locally operated, the dairy, feed store, and farm supply store is on Minnesota Highway 27. Descriptions of its products and services are featured.
http://osakiscreameryassociation.com/
The OLA is a non-profit, membership-supported organization that was formed to promote the protection and improvement of Lake Osakis in Osakis, Minnesota. Membership information is put forth, along with details of its projects and activities, meeting schedules and minutes, and board of directors. A membership application may be downloaded from the site. General information and trivia about the lake are included.
http://www.osakislakeassociation.org/
The Osakis, Minnesota public school district is a PK-12th grade facility in the west-central part of the state. Its enrollment policies and an overview of its curriculum is put forth, including its academic and athletics programs and other activities, a school calendar, district policies, staff directory, employment opportunities, and access to various reports, forms and documents.
http://www.osakis.k12.mn.us/
Established in 1920 as a silo stave manufacturer and ready mix company, Osakis Silo still builds silos, fixes silos, and installs unloaders and equipment, but it also takes on other custom projects, such as roofs on water towers, buildings and homes, makes silos into deer stands or living spaces attached to houses, and installs roofs and chutes to make old silos usable. Its location, office hours, contacts, and services are featured.
http://www.osakissilo.com/
Serving students from preschool through the sixth grade, the Catholic school in Osakis, Minnesota does not require that enrolled students be Catholic. Its philosophy, history, and reasons why someone might choose St. Agnes for their children are put forth, along with a school calendar, school supply list, faculty and staff contacts, volunteer opportunities, and student sponsorships are discussed.
http://www.stagnesosakis.com/