Situated in southeastern Minnesota, the city of Saint Charles was named for Saint Charles Borromeo, of Italy.
Saint Charles grew up along the Whitewater River in the mid-19th century. Founded in 1854, a post office was established there in 1855. Saint Charles Township was organized in May of 1858, and the City of Saint Charles was incorporated in February of 1870. The city was initially formed on land belonging to the Lewis H. Springer family, the area's first settlers, who had come in 1853. The Springers established the first store. Built in 1854, it became a public inn and post office.
The Winona and Saint Peter Railroad came through in February of 1864. This was followed by a route operated by the Chicago Great Western Railroad, and together they brought a sizable amount of trade into the city from both Olmsted and Winona counties. Today, the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern Railroad bisects the city from east to west.
Published by Joseph S. Whilton, the Saint Charles Union began as a four-page weekly newspaper in January of 1877. Electrical service was provided to the city in December of 1903, and the first motorized car came through the town in 1904.
Saint Charles is about twenty miles east of Rochester, and twenty miles west of Winona. The cities of Dover and Utica are about four miles west and six miles east of Saint Charles, respectively, while the unincorporated community of Saratoga is about six miles south.
Interstate Highway 90 passes through the southern part of the city. Other routes through Saint Charles include US Highway 14, Minnesota State Highway 74, and County Road 126.
The 2,700-acre Whitewater State Park is just north of Saint Charles, which claims the title of the Gateway to Whitewater State Park.
The 1854 Saint Charles plat included a public park, and the city has added quite a few others since. Parks, green spaces, and recreational areas in Saint Charles include the Saint Charles Golf Club and the adjoining Jessens Park, the Saint Charles City Park, the Winona County Fairgrounds, Whispering Hill Park, Brookwood Park, Kieffer Park, the Mel Brownell Aquatic Center, Meadowview Park, and Oakview Park.
The city has three properties on the National Register of Historic Places. These are Trinity Episcopal Church (1874), Saint Charles City Bakery (1876), and the Whitewater Avenue Commercial Historic District (1890s).
In 1870, the population of Saint Charles was just over a thousand, and it remained below two thousand until 1980. Today, its population is just under three thousand.
This is a guide to the city of Saint Charles, Minnesota. Websites representing the municipal government or any of its departments or services are appropriate for this category, as are any other government agencies located in Saint Charles, or any local businesses, organizations, churches, schools, or individuals.
Recommended Resources
The congregation meets at its facilities on East 5th Street in Saint Charles, Minnesota. The church council and committee chairs, committee members, and council meeting dates are published to the site, along with weekly meeting and program schedules, a calendar of upcoming events, weekly announcements, administrative contacts, office hours, an overview of associated organizations and programs.
https://www.faithlutheransc.org/
Located on West 12th Street in Saint Charles, Minnesota, the business offers wheel loaders, a large selection of construction equipment, tractors, and other agricultural equipment, attachments, and other items, which are specified here. Online auctions are also scheduled from time to time. Finance options are discussed, and its shipping and containerizing options are also specified. Contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.gomidwest.com/
Originally known as Mike’s Red Owl, the store has been in operation since 1979. The name was changed to Mike’s Supervalu in 1987, taking its current name in 2000. The much larger store is a full-service supermarket with a hot and cold deli, digital photo processing center, and a wide variety of food products. Its location, hours of operation, recipes, a meal planner, and advertising specials are included.
https://mikesfoodcenter.com/
Offering a PK-12th-grade educational curriculum through an early childhood education program, an elementary school, and a high school, the district also offers community education programs. Its campuses, schedules, and contacts are put forth, along with district policies, curriculum, instruction, and assessment, a quarterly newsletter, a district calendar, public notices, strategic plan, and student support services.
https://www.scschools.net/
St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce
The business membership organization was founded in 2007, and charged with promoting member businesses, boosting economic development in the region, and providing networking opportunities. Its board of directors and administrative contacts are posted, and a membership directory is published to the site, including a map showing the locations of St. Charles businesses. A gallery of photographs is included.
https://www.stcharlesmn.biz/
St. Charles: Gateway to Whitewater
The official municipal website for the City of Saint Charles, Minnesota presents a calendar of events, and a guide to the city government, including its administrative offices, elected officials, boards and commissions, council meeting agendas and minutes, as well as its parks and recreation programs, city services, and a directory of businesses, schools, churches, and civic organizations in the city.
https://www.stcharlesmn.org/
The Saint Charles, Minnesota business began as a way of supporting a hobby related to Rendezvous, which are pre-1840 reenactments of the fur-trading era, and currently has a permanent location as well as an online business. Its products, which include leather and hides, leather supplies, crafting tools, dyes, branding irons, and leather kits, and leather hardware, which are highlighted and made available for purchase online.
https://theleatherguy.org/
White Rose Bridal & Formal Wear
Carrying a large selection of designer gowns, the family-owned Saint Charles, Minnesota company carries only the top designers. Its location, directions, and hours of operation are put forth, and its products are featured online, and made available for purchase through the site. Its shipping and returns policies and fees, product and category indexes are presented, and new arrivals are highlighted.
https://www.whiterosebridal.net/
With options for one, two or three bedrooms, the Saint Charles, Minnesota motel is located a mile off of Interstate Highway 90, and only eight miles from Whitewater State Park. The accommodations are discussed, including a list of amenities, suggestions for local restaurants and area activities and recreational opportunities. Directions, office hours, contacts, and online bookings are available.
http://whitevalleymotel.com/
