Sauk Centre, Minnesota is the birthplace of Sinclair Lewis, a novelist whose book, Main Street, was inspired by Sauk Centre, although he used the fictional setting of Gopher Prairie.
Sauk Centre is situated in Stearns County, roughly in the geographical center of Minnesota. The main routes through the city are Interstate 94, US Highway 71, and Minnesota State Highway 28, with US Highway 71 forming the city's Main Street.
West Union is about eight miles northwest of Sauk Centre, Melrose ten miles southeast, Elrosa twelve miles south, and Round Prairie thirteen miles to the north.
Sauk Lake is a large body of water that forms the city's northern border to the east, while a large portion of the lake extends into the center of the city on the west. The Sauk River extends from the lower part of the lake, flowing through the southeastern part of the city. Several other lakes are just outside of Sauk Centre, including Fairy Lake, Birch Lake, and Cedar Lake. The abundance of lakes makes Sauk Centre a popular destination for vacationers interested in boating or fishing.
Sauk Centre was settled in the 1860s. Most histories suggest that the choice of a name for the town was done by lottery, with each of the eight original landowners submitting suggestions. Sauk Centre was submitted by Alexander Moore, the man who platted the town. Although Sauk was the name of an Indian tribe, it is not known that they had ever inhabited the region that became Sauk Centre. At the time that it was settled, it was known to have recently been Dakota land ceded in the Treaty of 1846.
Although the city is situated near the geographic center of the state, Centre, in its name, was a reference to its being centrally located between many Native American trails and next to the Sauk River, which was then essential to trade. In the 1940s, the town lobbied for the right to retain the original British spelling.
Some early Sauk Centre business included the Capser Store, which was operated by Joseph Capser, a European immigrant who established it as a store and saloon.
The Sauk Centre House was the third business building in Sauk Centre. It served as a hotel, saloon, and brothel before burning to the ground in 1900. The Palmer House Hotel was built on the site of the Sauk Centre House and is still in operation.
The Great Northern and Northern Pacific rail lines (now owned by the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway) extended their lines to the city in 1878, once offering freight and passenger service.
Sinclair Lewis was born in Sauk Centre in 1885, spending the first thirteen years of his life there. Today, the Sinclair Lewis Boyhood Home is a National Historic Landmark. Other properties on the National Register of Historic Places include the Palmer House, constructed in 1901, the Minnesota Home School for Girls, and the Original Main Street Historic District, built between 1920 and 1947.
Sauk Centre has never been a large city but, except for slight declines in population between 1900-1910 and 1970-1990, it has enjoyed modest growth, reporting a population of over 4,000 in 2010.
Topics related to Sauk Centre, Minnesota are the focus of websites listed in this category. These may include local government sites, as well as Sauk Centre businesses, services, organizations, churches, schools, or individuals.
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Recommended Resources
The Sauk Centre, Minnesota Catholic K-6th grade school is located on Sinclair Lewis Avenue. Its philosophy of education, academic and religious education curriculum, and a staff directory are put forth, along with school calendars, a newsletter, and ways in which someone can help to support the school, including its Scrip program. Other resources include nurse’s notes, a wish list, and project reports.
https://www.holyfamilysc.org/
Situated on Main Street South, the Sauk Centre, Minnesota theater is highlighted, including its admissions policies and prices, special offers and matinees. Showtimes for currently running movies are provided, and the schedules for upcoming movies are included, including trailers when available. Promotions are announced, and digital advertising opportunities, on the big screen, are promoted.
http://www.mainstreettheatremn.com/
Sauk Centre Chamber of Commerce
The benefits of membership, its membership packages, and additional fees are put forth, along with payment options, a list of board members, and a business directory, sorted by the type of business or service. Other resources include visitor information, special offers, and a guide to local lodging facilities, restaurants, entertainment venues, shopping venues, and health, wellness, and medical programs and facilities.
http://www.saukcentrechamber.com/
Sauk Centre Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
The Sauk Centre CVB was created to promote the city as a destination for tourism and conventions. A video of the city taken from a drone is provided, along with a guide to the Elmerz Event Center, the Palmer House, Sauk Lake, Splash Pad, Sinclair Lewis Park and Campground, Our Lady of Angels Prayer Garden, the Sinclair Lewis Boyhood Home, and other attractions, a photo gallery, and a directory of recreational facilities and programs, lodging facilities, and trip planning.
http://www.visitsaukcentre.org/
Headquartered in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, Independent School District #743 offers a PK-12th-grade public school curriculum through Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary schools, all located in Sauk Centre. School calendars, supply lists, a student handbook, parent and student forms, and an overview of its athletics, fine arts, and community education programs are included. Volunteer opportunities are posted to the site.
https://www.isd743.org/
Established in 1928, The Sauk Centre, Minnesota club is a member of Rotary International, an international service organization that brings business and professional leaders together for humanitarian services, networking, and to advance the cause of peace and goodwill around the world. An overview of the parent and local organizations, a list of charter members, a calendar of events, a list of speakers, and contacts are posted.
https://www.saukcentrerotary.org/
The local snowmobile club promotes safe snowmobiling in the Sauk Centre, Minnesota region, improving and maintaining snowmobile trails, and taking part in other community improvement projects. Membership information and meeting schedules are posted to the site, as well as a calendar of events, a trail map, trail reports, and club news. Sponsors are acknowledged, and sponsorship opportunities are given.
http://saukcentresnocleats.com/
The official municipal website offers a profile of the city, capital project updates, a comprehensive plan, and a calendar of programs and events. The mayor, members of the council, and information about the city’s policies, regulations, programs, and permit requirements. Municipal department contacts, its public utilities commission, and a guide to area campgrounds and tourism are provided.
https://saukcentre.govoffice2.com/
Formed for the purpose of preserving the boyhood home of Sinclair Lewis, the Foundation conducts fundraisers and accepts members at various support levels, which may be accomplished or renewed online. A biographical sketch of the author, Sinclair Lewis, is set forth, along with photographs and details of his childhood home, now a museum. Its location, entrance fees, and contacts are posted to the site.
https://sinclairlewisfoundation.org/
Opening at the beginning of July each year, the Stearns County Fair is held at the fairgrounds in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. The multi-day affair includes a draft horse parade, carnival, live music, a rodeo, demolition derbies, animal shows, food, and several other activities and events, some of which may change from year to year. A calendar of events, vendor opportunities, and downloadable agreements and forms.
http://stearnscountyfair.com/
