Situated in the center of Watonwan County, Saint James, Minnesota serves as the county seat. Like many other Minnesota cities, Saint James owes its existence to the railroad.
In 1867, the directors of the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad determined that the halfway point between Saint Paul and Sioux City would be the center of Watonwan County and that this would be the ideal place for a railroad depot.
Intending to create a city as well as a stop along the rail line, General Sibley, a member of the board of directors of the railroad, proposed a Dakota Sioux name for the town that would be developed there, but it was a long name and he couldn't remember it the following day. E.F. Drake, the president of the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad, suggested a simpler name, one that everyone could remember - Saint James. Thus, this point on the map was named before the first building was erected.
The railroad completed its track from Lake Crystal to Saint James in 1870, building a temporary railroad shanty in June of that year. By July, a town had been laid out.
S.C. Clark chose the first lot in the new town, selecting a place for an enclosed office building, at the spot where the Saint James Hotel would later be built. In September, J. Dean and Company built an office for a lumberyard, although no lumber would be available until the end of October. As lots were chosen, buildings were erected, and Saint James had the appearance of a town within six weeks.
By late November, the railroad had been completed, and the first passenger train rolled into Saint James on November 22, 1870, carrying officers, directors, and stockholders of the railroad, along with their families. After eating dinner at the Saint James Hotel, they returned to Saint Paul.
That first winter, there were nine stores in business, the Saint James Hotel remained open, along with the Union House, and two saloons.
Saint James was incorporated as a village in February of 1871, a school district was organized in August, and a two-story schoolhouse was constructed in October. The population of Saint James was six hundred by February of 1872.
The St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad donated a lot to the first Christian denominations who expressed an interest. The First Baptist Church of Saint James was organized in February of 1871, and that congregation completed the first church building in Saint James by September of the following year. A Presbyterian congregation in the summer of 1871, sharing the Baptist church building every other Sunday. A Catholic Church constructed its own building on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 7th Street in 1876.
In 1878, Watonwan County moved its county seat from Madelia to Saint James, building a new courthouse in 1895.
In 1890, the Omaha Railroad built a roundhouse, with twenty-five stalls, for servicing its locomotives, and the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway added a line through Saint James in 1899.
By the turn of the 20th century, the city had more than a hundred business firms, four large hotels, four banks, an opera house, a creamery, flour mill, and four large grain elevators. There were several livestock buying firms in Saint James, two newspapers, eight churches, seven lodges or fraternal organizations, and a library and public reading room, as well as three carriage and wagon manufacturing firms, a cigar factory, steam laundry, and a bottling works. The city had modern sewer and water systems, and an electric works. Between 1880 and 1900, the population of Saint James had gone from 444 to 2,607.
By 1940, the city had added several stores selling food, furniture, clothing, hardware, and jewelry. There were auto repair shops and filling stations, nine lumber and hardware stores, drug stores, restaurants, and several other businesses. The population of Saint James in 1940 was 3,400 and, after a slight drop between 1900 and 1910, it was continuing to grow. The city had a park, a gymnasium, and auditorium attached to its high school, a volunteer fire department, and ten churches.
The Omaha Railroad located its division offices in Saint James, with a dispatcher's office serving all of its lines west of Minneapolis-Saint Paul. Six Omaha Railroad passenger trains and several freight trains used the Omaha lines, and the Minneapolis and the St. Louis Railroad had daily passenger service. Additionally, four bus lines came into the city each day.
Celebrating the historical importance of the railroad, the community celebrates Saint James Railroad Days each summer.
Today, the population of Saint James is more than four thousand. The Tony Downs Food Company is a major employer.
This is a guide to the city of Saint James. Sites representing local and county governments, businesses, churches, schools, and individuals are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Augustana/East Sveadahl Ministries
Both affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the site promotes and represents two churches in Saint James, Minnesota, the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. James (organized in 1884) and the East Sveadahl Lutheran Church, although no history is currently given for the latter church. Photos, locations, contacts, worship schedules, and calendars of events are included.
http://www.augustanachurch.org/
Created and maintained by the St. James Economic Development Authority and the St. James Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau, the guide to the city offers information about doing business in Saint James, moving to the city, finding work, or getting involved in community affairs. Information about things to do in Saint James, or obtaining senior services, such as housing, healthcare, and so on.
https://discoverstjamesmn.com/
First Lutheran Church of Saint James
Meeting at their facilities on 6th Avenue South, the Saint James, Minnesota congregation is affiliated with the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Sunday morning and Wednesday evening service schedules are published to the site, along with a calendar of upcoming programs and events. An introduction to its ministries is given, and staff contacts and hours are included.
http://www.flcstjames.org/
First Presbyterian Church of St. Cloud
Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Saint James, Minnesota congregation was founded in 1870. Its pastoral and administrative staff are introduced, along with office hours and contacts, announcements, and weekly service schedules, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and service opportunities are published to the site. Sermon video, a blog, and a profile of the church are included.
https://www.fpcstjames.com/
Offering delivery service within the city limits of Saint James, Minnesota, its location, hours of operation, and contacts are published to the site. Its menu items are described, along with its daily specials, and online ordering. Locally owned and operated since 1976, the pizza restaurant is open seven days a week. Information about its policies on the use of its private party room is also posted.
http://jakespizzastjames.com/
Located on South Seventh Street in Saint James, Minnesota, the real estate company is staffed and open six days a week, and open on Sundays by appointment, offering free market analysis for home sellers, its relationships with local lenders, and contact information. Homes, commercial properties, and farmland available for sale are featured, along with apartment rentals, and an introduction to its brokers and salespeople.
http://mayberryreality.net/
Roundhouse is a non-profit organization operated by members of the Saint James Model Railroad Club in Saint James, Minnesota. Operating layouts in G Gauge, O Gauge, HO Scale, and N Scale, the focus of the organization is on HO Scale, and its mission is to educate visitors about the impact that the railroads have had on the United States in general, and Saint James in particular. Photos, contacts, and a calendar of events are posted.
http://www.roundhouseinc.org/
South Central Electric Association
SCEA is a member-owned rural electric cooperative in southern Minnesota. Headquartered in Saint James, Minnesota, the cooperative has members in Watonwan, Cottonwood, Martin, Jackson, Brown, and Blue Earth counties. Its board of directors and staff are identified, and information about capital credits, rebate programs, and its renewable programs are put forth. Payments may be made online.
http://www.southcentralelectric.com/
Written by local reporters and published in Saint James, Minnesota, the newspaper offers news and information to residents of Saint James and Watonwan County primarily, but also extending into the adjoining counties. Local and regional news reports, sports coverage, entertainment features, and lifestyle issues are covered. Obituaries, classified advertising, employment opportunities, and subscription information are included.
https://www.stjamesnews.com/
The veterinary medical facility and animal hospital in Saint James, Minnesota. Its location is posted and shown on a map, along with office hours, appointment policies, and contacts. Its services and capabilities are outlined, along with payment options, and online forms. Educational articles on a variety of topics related to animal health are featured, such as choosing a pet and working through various problems.
https://www.stjamesmadeliavet.com/
The official municipal website posts its office hours and contacts, a list of council members, council, packets, meeting agendas, and minutes, city ordinances, annual reports, election information, and maps, as well as a guide to city programs and services, its parks and recreation facilities, campground, swimming pools, airport, and liquor store. A new resident guide is included.
https://www.ci.stjames.mn.us/
Organized in 1860, the county is located in southern Minnesota. Its largest city and county seat is Saint James. The official county government site introduces the county board, offers election information, fee schedules, and commission agendas and minutes. Administrative contacts and hours of operation are detailed, and property taxes may be paid online. Demographics, a calendar of events, and employment opportunities are included.
http://www.co.watonwan.mn.us/
