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Bowlus Minnesota Community Guide
Location:
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With a population of 276, Bowlus is a small town with a big
heart. Bowlus was platted on July 1, 1907 and was incorporated
into a village in 1910. A station house and numerous stores were
built, prospering from the rich trade from nearby farmers.
Bowlus is located in Two Rivers Township in the south central
part of Morrison County, approximately 25 miles north of St.
Cloud and 15 miles south of Little Falls. Our small town boasts
many amenities. The only town located next to the Soo Line Trail
which welcomes bikers, walkers and rollerbladers in the summer
and snowmobiles in the winter. We have a community center
located in a park where you are able to rest, play and enjoy the
center. We are located near the Mississippi River where you can
get some fishing in, visit Blanchard Dam, go “cross rock”
hunting and just have some good old fashioned fun. With an
abundance of businesses, a community center, ball field, hockey
rink and a park to welcome all ages, you will enjoy visiting our
town over and over.
Courtesy City of Bowlus |
Population:
Bowlus (city) |
1970 |
1980 |
1990 |
2000 |
2010 |
2000-2010 Change |
Actual |
Percent |
Population |
268 |
276 |
260 |
260 |
290 |
+30 |
+11.53 |
Land Area (sq. mile) |
1.30 |
1.29 |
1.25 |
1.25 |
1.25 |
0 |
0.00 |
Density (persons per sq. mile) |
206.15 |
213.95 |
208.00 |
208.18 |
232.00 |
+23.82 |
+11.44 |
Housing Units |
97 |
110 |
109 |
111 |
122 |
+11 |
+9.91 |
Households |
-- |
104 |
103 |
105 |
114 |
+9 |
+8.57 |
Persons Per Household |
-- |
2.65 |
2.52 |
2.48 |
2.54 |
+0.06 |
+2.42 |
Geography:
Bowlus is a city in Morrison County, Minnesota, United
States. Morrison County Roads 24 and 26; State Highway
238; and Main Street are four of the main routes in the
community. According to the United States Census Bureau,
Bowlus has a total area of 1.25 square miles (3.24 km2),
all of it land. The elevation is 1,109 ft (338 m) above
sea level.
From
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Demographics:
As of the census of 2010, there were
290 people, 114 households, and 79
families residing in Bowlus. The
population density was 232.0 inhabitants
per square mile (89.6/km2). There were
122 housing units at an average density
of 97.6 per square mile (37.7/km2). The
racial makeup was 98.3% White, 0.3%
African American, 0.3% Native American,
and 1.0% from two or more races.
There were 114 households of which
33.3% had children under the age of 18
living with them, 52.6% were married
couples living together, 10.5% had a
female householder with no husband
present, 6.1% had a male householder
with no wife present, and 30.7% were
non-families. 21.9% of all households
were made up of individuals and 8.7% had
someone living alone who was 65 years of
age or older. The average household size
was 2.54 and the average family size was
2.89.
The median age in Bowlus was 33
years. 24.1% of residents were under the
age of 18; 9% were between the ages of
18 and 24; 29.3% were from 25 to 44;
22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 15.5% were
65 years of age or older. The sexual
makeup was 55.2% male and 44.8% female.
History:
BOWLUS, a city in sections 11-14 of Two Rivers Township,
platted in July 1907, was named by officers of the Minneapolis, St. Paul
and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad (Soo Line). It was incorporated as a village
on September 8, 1908, and separated from the township on February 27, 1919.
The Soo Line came in 1907, the same year the post office opened, and the
townsite was platted by Tri-State Land Company on land originally owned
by Henry Armstrong, Sr., whose son developed the post office of Stella. Courtesy Minnesota
Historical Society
The original homesteader on land which is now Bowlus was John Gross
who filed in 1866. After working the land for seven years he transferred
the land to his son, Phillip. Ensuing years saw the land
sold to Martin Czech then to C.A. Campbell and finally to the Tri State
Land Company in June 1907. Tri-State platted the town and sold the
first city lots. The town began to grow, with numerous businesses
springing up to serve the town and surrounding area. School District
#10 was organized in 1870; in 1910 a two story brick public school was
built on land donated by the railroad. A Post Office was established in
1907 and the Bank of Bowlus in 1911.
Bowlus, named after a
railroad man, was platted on July 1, 1907 and incorporated into a
village in 1910. Spurring the action was news that the Soo
Railroad would be built through the town. A station house and
numerous stores were built, prospering from the rich trade from nearby
farmers.
Because of the heavy stands of Oak, Maple, Elm and
White Pine lumbering became an important business in Bowlus. Many
logging related businesses grew. A saw mill, heading mill,
planning mill, lumber yard and barrel factory all prospered.
Maintaining a bridge to Royalton over the Mississippi River was
difficult; many of the wooden bridges constructed were swept away by ice
and log jams. One such ice jam happened in the spring of 1906.
Just above the bridge was an immense gorge of ice and logs. A
handful of Bowlus men worked for hours to free the frozen water from
around the bridge. Using 200 pounds of dynamite the men cleared
about 100 acres of ice, some more than 4 feet thick, freeing 10 million
feet of logs and saving the bridge.
Because of poor economic
conditions and suppression of their language and faith many Polish
people emigrated at the close of the 19th century. Father Pierz in
letters back to Prussia extolled the virtues of Central Minnesota and
encouraged Prussian citizens to come to Minnesota. By 1880
more than 60 farms in Two Rivers Township were settled by Silesian (SW
Poland) families. Since most were Catholic, in 1909 a committee
petitioned the railroad for a tract of land to build a church. The
railroad donated a full block of land for the project and Martin Czech
donated two acres to the south of the proposed church to be used as a
cemetery. St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, with a seating
capacity of 400, was built at a cost of $12,475. Local farmers
provided the stone for the foundation and stained-glass windows were
purchased in Minneapolis for $590. In 1913 a parish house was
built next to the church.
Blanchard Dam-construction began in
1924. A typical work crew worked 10 hours per day and six to seven days
a week. Their wages were $.30 per hour and length of employment was
approximately 18 months. In February of 1925 a power plant was
installed consisting of a turbine of 9,000 horse-power capacity,
directly attached to a generator capable of furnishing 7,500 kilowatts
per hour under a full head of water.
Many unique and distinctive
enterprises have called Bowlus home over the years. For a time
June grass (similar to Kentucky Blue grass) was harvested and the seed
shipped to other parts of the country. For several years people
could raise cucumbers for the Gedney Pickle Factory. Twice a week
a buyer would come to town to collect the cucumbers and pay the growers.
A broom factory also had a short existence in Bowlus.
Courtesy
Region Five Development Commission
Street scene, Bowlus Minnesota, 1909
LakesnWoods.com Postcard and Postcard
Image Collection - click image to enlarge
Visit The Bowlus Photo
Gallery for more recent and historic area photos Government:
Bowlus
City Hall
212
Main Street PO Box 98
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-5283
Regular Business Hours: unknown
City Council Meetings: 1st Monday of each month at 7:00
pm
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|
Title |
Term Ends |
Name and Address |
|
Phone |
Mayor |
12/31/2022 |
Joseph Larson
217 N 2nd Avenue
Bowlus, MN 56314 |
|
(320) 733-3140 (320)
630-8294 |
Clerk |
12/31/2022 |
Judith
Rose Barnes 113 Fremont Street S
Bowlus, MN 56314 |
|
(320)
380-1106 |
Treasurer |
12/31/2024 |
Molly
Sobania 11755 45th Street
Bowlus, MN 56314 |
|
(320)
293-1776 |
Council
Member |
12/31/2022 |
Terri Trettel
203 S 2nd Avenue Bowlus, MN 56314 |
|
(320)
584-7400 |
Council
Member |
12/31/2024 |
Kelly Larson
217 2nd Avenue N
Bowlus, MN 56314 |
|
(320)
260-1476 |
Council
Member |
12/31/2024 |
Jake Wentland 221
2nd Avenue S Bowlus, MN 56314 |
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(320)
630-5389 |
State |
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MN House - District
9B |
12/31/2022 |
Ron Kresha (R)
207 State Office Building St. Paul,
MN 55155 |
|
(651) 296-4247 |
MN Senate - District
9 |
12/31/2024 |
Paul Gazelka (R)
Minnesota Senate Bldg. Rm 3113 St. Paul, MN
55155 |
|
(651) 296-4875 |
MN Governor |
12/31/2022 |
Governor Tim Walz
75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. Paul, MN 55155 |
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(651) 201-3400 (800) 657-3717 |
Federal |
|
|
|
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US House - District 8 |
12/31/2022 |
Pete Stauber (R)
461 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 |
|
(202) 225-6211 |
US Senate |
12/31/2022 |
Amy Klobuchar (DFL)
425 Dirksen Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 |
|
(202) 224-3244 |
US Senate |
12/31/2022 |
Tina Smith (DFL)
720 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 |
|
(202) 224-5641 |
US President |
12/31/2024 |
Joe Biden (D) 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 |
|
not available |
Post
Office:
US Post Office
172 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-8226
Toll Free:
(800) ASK-USPS
Regular Business Hours: Week Days
7:15 am - 11:15 am Saturday
8:00 am - 9:30 am
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Utilities:
Utility Type |
Utility Name |
Utility Phone |
Electricity |
Minnesota Power Company |
(218) 722-2641 |
Natural Gas |
n/a |
n/a |
Wastewater |
City of Bowlus |
(320) 584-5283 |
Water |
City of Bowlus |
(320) 584-5283 |
Telephone |
CenturyLink
Communications |
(877) 837-5738 |
Cable TV |
n/a |
n/a |
Major
Employers:
Employer |
Products/Services |
Employees |
n/a |
News:
Weather:
Map:
Minnesota State
Highway Map of the Bowlus Minnesota area Events:
Bowlus Fun Days
This fun event is always held the first Sunday in
July. The event is started by a polka mass at St. Stanislaus
Church, a parade, water fights by local volunteer firefighters
in neighboring towns, live music all day, children’s pedal pull,
bingo, games for all ages, raffle, beer garden, lots of great
food followed by spectacular fireworks. This is one of the
highlights of summer for many.
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Bowlus Fun Days, Bowlus Minnesota, 2007
LakesnWoods.com Photo |
Attractions:
Recreation:
Soo Line Trail
Grease your chains, secure your
helmets and hit what might soon be the longest stretch of paved
highway available for free-spirited individuals looking to throw
their inhibitions to the wind for an afternoon, a day or even a
weekend of bicycling. This is truly one of the most beautiful
bike trails around. The Soo Line Trail connects to the Lake
Wobegon Trail in Stearns County where you will cross the river
on a scenic covered bridge, one of the longest covered bridges
in Minnesota! When you go through our town, stop by for some
refreshments, lunch or dinner, check out our new community
center, or just stop to shoot the breeze with the locals.
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Lakes:
Lake
Name |
Size
(acres) |
Lake info |
Lake Map |
Rec Map |
Topo Map |
none |
Health Care:
Schools:
Churches:
Media:
Motels:
Resorts:
Campgrounds:
View of Bowlus Minnesota, 2007
LakesnWoods.com Photo |
Businesses:
American Legion
201 2nd Avenue N PO Box 73
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-5869
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Bieniek Tree Service
102 1st Avenue N
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 333-8810
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Bowlus Auto Center
125 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-5457
Bowlus Auto Center has been in business since 2011, but the
experts here have over 40 years of experience in auto repair. If
you are tired of the high pressure do-it-right-now sales
approach when bringing your car in for maintenance, give Bowlus
Auto Center a try.
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Bowlus Fire
Department 212 Main Street Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 290-9464
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Bowlus Gas and
Grocery
292 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-5603
Sinclair gas station and
convenience store featuring fresh, hot coffee in Bowlus, MN.
Cold Spring Bakery items delivered fresh three times per week,
Peps Pork meat, Outlaw Pizzas, bagged ice, softener salt, Hot
Stuff pizza, and made-to-order deli items all available for you
to enjoy. Friendly staff for an enjoyable shopping experience at
Bowlus Gas & Grocery!
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Bowlus Liquor
114 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-8263
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Bowlus
Seed and Green
30 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-5050
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Elmdale's
Watering Hole
8384 State Highway 238
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 573-9240
Mon thru Fri Happy Hour 4pm to 7pm. Thur bucket beer 6/$12. Fri
8pm to 9pm $1.00 beers. Sat 8pm to 9pm $1.50 beers music at 9pm.
Sun keys for cash 3pm.
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Elmdale Community Center
8197 State Highway 238
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 573-4378
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Elmdale Creamery Association & Locker
8287 State Highway 238
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 573-2607
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Elmdale Town Hall
6016 30th Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 573-4144
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Frieler Tree Farms 4037
Dove Road Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 573-8733
We are a start up family owned and ran tree farm growing shades
trees and evergreens.
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Great River Heating & Cooling
1398 Great River Road
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 247-2010
Great River Heating and Cooling installs commercial
and residential Energy Star Equipment by Amana and Goodman. We
also work with in floor heating, Bosch Geothermal heat pump
systems, Boiler systems, Air source heat pumps, HRV systems and
much more. Call us for your heating and cooling needs and ask
about our green products that can cut your energy cost.
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Jim's Body Shop and Used
Cars
8094 State Highway 238
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 573-2034
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Jordie's Trailside Cafe
105 1st Avenue S
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-8193
Nestled along side the Soo Line Trail , the mother-daughter duo
Jordie and Sonya Stay established Jordie's Trailside Cafe. With
our "just like Grandma's" ambiance, unique and funky treasures,
we hope your visit is memorable. Take a look around at our many
items for sale and don't forget to save room for Sonya's
delicious home-made pies!
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Molus Transportation Inc.
3748 Dairy Road Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 573-3748
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Petersen's Modern Blacksmith
6145 90th Avenue
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 573-2092
Even though the forge has been gone for two decades, Daniel,
Dennis and Melvin Petersen continue a metal-working tradition at
Petersen’s Modern Blacksmith begun by their father’s uncle, Mark
Petersen.
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Potter Investment 17511
Marina Court Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-7454
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Psyck's Market
153 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-5136
• Groceries, Meats, Vegetables
• Complete custom processing of venison, beef and pork
• Ham, bacon and sausage smoking
• Amstar 24 hours gas
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Rahn's Oil and
Propane
292 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-5603
Rahn’s Oil and Propane is
an independent company, and locally family owned. That’s
important! The people who work here live in your communities,
share your values, and wake up to the same Minnesota
winter-weather you do. We understand the importance of
dependable service, and affordable prices.
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Reis' Lumber & Construction
52 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-5479
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Terri's Hair Salon
223 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-7400
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The Syrup Ranch LLC
1242 150th Avenue Bowlus, MN 56314 Phone: (320)
293-1097
In 2009, The
Syrup Ranch LLC tapped into our first maple trees and started
making our very own maple
syrup. We started winning awards at local events
immediately. As we grew, we became known for our high-quality
maple syrup and we started bottling and storing it. Now, our
syrup can be found in a multitude of shops. Don't let us just
tell you about our award-winning
taste. Let it speak for itself when you stop by for locally
sourced maple syrup today.
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US Post Office
172 Main Street
Bowlus, MN 56314
Phone: (320) 584-8226
Toll Free:
(800) ASK-USPS
Regular Business Hours: Week Days
7:15 am - 11:15 am Saturday
8:00 am - 9:30 am
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Aerial
Photo:
Topographic
Map: [click map to enlarge, zoom
in or zoom out]
Topographic map is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR -
click map to zoom or enlarge |
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