Most of the population of Pine Island is in Goodhue County, but a portion of the city extends into Olmsted County, and that section of the city has been gaining population in recent years as it becomes a suburb of Rochester. Not to be confused with the actual island on Vermilion Lake, the city of Pine Island is situated along the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River, on the southwestern edge of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, with US Highway 52 serving as the chief route through the city. Bordering on Pine Island's southeastern limits is the city of Oronoco. Other nearby communities include Roscoe, Roscoe Center, and Berne. The first white settlers came to the area in 1854. H.B. Powers is acknowledged as being the first man to build a cabin there, with Josiah Haggard a close second. When Haggard's claim was jumped by a named Howard, he crossed the Zumbro and made a second claim, which was later preempted by Moses Jewell. The village was surveyed and platted in 1856 and 1857 and named for the Indian word for the area (Wa-zu-wee-ta), which was a description of the area as an island of pines, not because it is or ever was an island of land within a body of water. A post office was established in 1856. In 1878, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad came through. Pine Island was incorporated as a village in 1878, and as a city in 1883. In 1911, a group of dairies built a prize-winning, world-record cheese on a railroad flatcar. By 1920, there were forty-three cheese plants in the area, and half of them formed the Minnesota Cheese Producers Association with a large plant in Pine Island, situated across from Trailhead Park. Today, the small cheese factories are gone, but Land O' Lakes produces cheese there. The old Butter Factory houses bikes and bike helmets that are available to borrow at no cost. Organized in 1858, Pine Island Township exists as a separate political entity. Topics related to either the city or township are appropriate in this category.
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Recommended Resources
City of Pine Island, Minnesota
Situated along the banks of the Zumbro River, Pine Island is about fifteen minutes from Rochester and less than an hour from the Twin Cities. The official municipal web site offers a brief history and profile of the city, demographics, economic development resources, and public notices. Council agendas and minutes, administrative contacts and office hours, and a guide to local churches, schools, and businesses are included.
http://www.pineislandmn.com/
The auto dealership is located on White Pines Road Southeast in Pine Island, Minnesota. Specializing in the sale of pre-owned vehicles, its inventory can be viewed online, sorted by vehicle make, mileage, year or price range, and special offers are highlighted. Photos, mileage, and asking prices are posted, customer testimonials are offered, and its location is located, and store hours are posted to the site.
http://www.cjautoinc.com/
Hidden Meadows RV Park & Campground
Situated on a curve in the Zumbro River, the private recreational vehicle park Is near Pine Island, in southeastern Minnesota. A list of features and amenities is put forth, with a description of the facilities, its recreation hall, camp store, and playground. A map of the campground and a photo gallery are available, and its rules, rates, and a calendar of events are presented, and contacts are included.
http://www.hiddenmeadowsrvpark.com/
Independent School District #255 serves the Pine Island, Minnesota community, offering a PK-12th grade curriculum through a PK-4th grade elementary school and a 5-12th grade junior-senior high school. Maps, directions, schedules, and policies are highlighted, along with a directory of district administrative, faculty and staff, a district calendar, budget information, a student-parent handbook, and an overview of its community education programs.
http://www.pineisland.k12.mn.us/
Offering services and a home for seniors in Pine Island, Minnesota, Pine Haven Community includes the Pine Haven Care Center, a 66-bed facility that offers short-term rehabilitation and long-term care for those requiring skilled nursing care, Evergreen Place, a senior living community, the Pine Haven Rehabilitation Center, which is an extension of Pine Haven Care Center, and Pine Haven Foundation, a funding organization. Photos and employment and volunteer opportunities are featured.
http://www.pinehavencommunity.org/
Pine Island Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is a non-profit membership organization made up of business owners and others in the Pine Island, Minnesota region. Its membership tiers, the benefits of membership are discussed, and a guidebook for members and a membership form may be downloaded from the site in PDF format. A member directory, meeting locations and times, a community calendar, and a guide to area attractions are included.
http://www.pineislandmnchamber.com/
Pine Island Area Historical Society
Organized in 1998, the non-profit organization is headquartered in the Collins-Glamm Home on North Main Street, which is also home to the Pine Island History Centered, operated by the Society. Membership information, bylaws, and hours of operation are posted, along with a profile of the city, stories, and a photo gallery. An organizational newsletter, information about donating to the Society, and a gift shop offering historical books and a calendar published as a fundraising project.
http://www.pineislandhistory.org/