Upsala is in southwestern Morrison County, in central Minnesota. State Highway 238 passes through the city, connecting it with Elmdale to the northeast, and Saint Anthony to the south.
Upsala is surrounded by Elmdale Township. The North Two River enters the city in the lower west side, flows northward to the center of the city, then moves south again, to exit the city in the lower east. County Highway 19 connects Upsala with the body of water known as Cedar Lake, to the west.
Upsala was settled largely by Swedish immigrants in the latter part of the 19th century, and it remained primarily Scandinavian through the first half of the 20th century.
In 1880, the Northern Pacific Railroad extended its tracks through the area, and began to sell land for a townsite, prompting enough settlers to come to the area to create a town. John Swedback opened a general store, and started a sawmill, with his wife, Ericka, running the store.
Originally, the town was known as Swedback's Settlement, but the name was changed to Upsala when a post office was opened in the 1880s.
Another early businessman was John S. Borgstrom, who came to farm but soon began augmenting his income through photography, opening studios in Upsala and some neighboring towns. At different times, he also operated a confectionery shop and a hardware store, later working as an undertaker. In 1914, he formed a partnership with Peter Viehauser, J.W. Fauk, and Gust Lindgren to establish the Farmer's State Bank of Upsala.
August Johnson owned the land that formed the primary region of Upsala. He sold sixty acres to Borgstrom in 1913, and the town was platted. Upsala became a city in 1916, with Gust Nelson as its first mayor. Nelson platted the northern section of Upsala.
By 1915, Upsala had a bank, creamery, telephone company, lumber and furniture dealerships, dry goods stores, a confectionery store, millinery store, blacksmith shop, feed mill, meat market, garage, and an implement and harness shop. A movie theater, drug store, billiard hall, and a doctor's office were added in the 1920s.
Upsala has never been a busy town. Its population has been in the 300s and 400s since its census was first taken in 1920. It is an inland city and, although the railroad came through the city, there was no stop in Upsala. The city lacked even a major road until State Highway 238 was constructed in 1945.
The first school in Upsala was the Rundquist School, an elementary school built in 1887, and there were four others by 1900. In 1920, its schools were consolidated, a new brick schoolhouse was constructed, and the original school building was moved to serve as a post office. Today, Upsala Area Schools (ISD #487) provides a PK-12th-grade program, including an elementary school program and a high school program.
One of the first churches in Upsala included the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, which was organized in 1879 and is now Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Incorporated in 1888, the Swedish Mission Church is now known as Community Covenant Church. In 1891, the First Swedish Baptist Church was formed but has since closed. Later churches included Mount Olive Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, the Word of Life Free Lutheran Church, and Saint Mary's Catholic Church.
The Upsala Public Library is a branch of the Great River Regional Library System.
This is a guide to the city of Upsala, Minnesota. Websites representing the city government are appropriate for this category, as are those of local churches, schools, businesses, events, and individuals.
Recommended Resources
City of Upsala: Where Life is Always Looking Up
The official municipal website features office hours and contacts for the City Hall, which is located in the Stearns Bank Building on South Main Street, Upsala, Minnesota, as well as a guide to the city’s history, community organizations, churches, schools, services, and events. City newsletters, announcements, and notices from the city are posted, and a calendar of events is included.
https://cityofupsala.com/
Formed in 1888, the congregation has served the Upsala, Minnesota community for well over a century. Its location, Sunday service schedules, and a calendar of programs and events are published to the site, and an overview of its ministries, an affirmation of covenant, and its overseas missions sponsorships are discussed. Informational articles and sermon audio are included, and contributions can be made through the site.
http://www.upsalacov.org/
Situated on the bottom of the hill on Main Street in Upsala, Minnesota, Lange’s offers bulk fuel delivery of gasoline, diesel, greases, furnace oil, and motor oils. The business is also a Shell gasoline station, convenience store, and deli, serving breakfast, burgers, chicken, flatbread paninis, sub sandwiches, wraps, salads, and pizza. Its location, contacts, store hours, and deli hours are stated.
http://langeoil.com/
Offering fresh meats, sausages, and jerky, as well as fresh bakery goods and produce, the grocery market is located on North Main Street in Upsala, Minnesota. Its location, store hours, and contacts are published, and its full-line grocery store and meat market are highlighted, along with its custom meat smoking and wild game sausage making services. The supermarket’s awards are displayed.
http://www.paulkathyssupermarket.com/
Schultz Auctioneers / Landmark Realty
Founded by Mike Schultz in 1978, who opened his real estate brokerage, Landmark Realty, in 1984, the Upsala, Minnesota company specializes in residential, lakeshore, recreational, farm, and commercial properties in Morrison, Todd, and Stearns counties, as well as agricultural auctions and other properties. Auction schedules are posted, along with online bidding, real estate, and rentals. Office hours and contacts are posted.
http://schultzauctioneerslandmarkrealty.com/
District #487 enrolls students in PK-12th-grade in Upsala, Minnesota. District policies and plans are available in PDF format, as are various forms. The superintendent, dean of students, and school board are identified, and administrative contacts and office hours are included. Academic and activities calendars are posted, along with district departments, a student handbook, and an online library catalog.
https://www.upsala.k12.mn.us/
Located on 1st Avenue West, in Upsala, Minnesota, the auto dealership has been in business since 1964, carrying a wide inventory of cars, trucks, and other vehicles, from several manufacturers. Its location, store hours, and contacts are posted, and available vehicles are highlighted, with interior and exterior photos, mileage, asking prices, and other details. Customer testimonials are included.
https://upsalamotors.com/
Affiliated with the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, the church was formed in 1988. A brief introduction to the denomination is given, and the church’s location is shown on a map. Sunday and Wednesday schedules are given, and a calendar of upcoming activities and events are included. Information on what to expect when visiting the church is provided, and sermon video of recent sermons is included.
http://www.wordoflife-aflc.com/
