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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 |
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| Bowlus (city) | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2000-2010 Change | |
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| 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 |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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.
Visit The
Minnesota History Shop! |
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
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Bowlus
City Hall 212 Main Street PO Box 98 Bowlus, MN 56314 Phone: (320) 584-5283
Regular Business Hours: |
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| Title | Term Ends | Name and Address | Phone | |
| Mayor | 12/31/2022 | Joseph Larson
217 N 2nd Avenue Bowlus, MN 56314 |
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(320) 733-3140 (320) 630-8294 |
| Clerk | 12/31/2022 | Judith
Rose Barnes 113 Fremont Street S Bowlus, MN 56314 |
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(320) 380-1106 |
| Treasurer | 12/31/2024 | Molly
Sobania 11755 45th Street Bowlus, MN 56314 |
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(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 |
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(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 | ||||
| MN House - District 9B | 12/31/2022 | Ron Kresha (R) 207 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155 |
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(651) 296-4247 |
| MN Senate - District 9 | 12/31/2024 | Paul Gazelka (R) Minnesota Senate Bldg. Rm 3113 St. Paul, MN 55155 |
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(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 | ||||
| US House - District 8 | 12/31/2022 | Pete Stauber (R) 461 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 |
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(202) 225-6211 |
| US Senate | 12/31/2022 | Amy Klobuchar (DFL)
425 Dirksen Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 |
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(202) 224-3244 |
| US Senate | 12/31/2022 | Tina Smith (DFL) 720 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20510 |
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(202) 224-5641 |
| US President | 12/31/2024 | Joe Biden (D) 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 |
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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:  |
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| 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 |
| Employer | Products/Services | Employees |
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n/a |
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Minnesota State
Highway Map of the Bowlus Minnesota area
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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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Check Out
The Minnesota
History Shop! Good Goods and
Great Gifts! |
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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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Lake info | Lake Map | Rec Map | Topo Map |
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none - see Little Falls, Sartell, Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud |
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Royalton Public
Schools Independent School District #485 120 S Hawthorn Street PO Box 5 Royalton, MN 56373 Phone: (320) 584-5532 Grades: PK-12 Students: 952
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Royalton High
School 120 S Hawthorn Street Royalton, MN 56373 Phone: (320) 584-4200 Grades: 6-12 Students: 536
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Royalton
Elementary School 119 N Driftwood Street Royalton, MN 56373 Phone: (320) 584-4160 Grades: PK-5 Students: 412
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St. Edward's
Catholic Church 8550 State Highway 238 Bowlus, MN 56314 Phone: (320) 573-2975 Pastor:
Fr. David Grundman
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St. Stanislaus
Kostka Catholic Church 428 Main Street Bowlus, MN 56314 Phone: (320) 573-2132 History of St. Stanislaus Kostka's Catholic Church from 1984
Pastor: Father Gregory Sauer
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KFML-FM - "94
Rocks" 16405 Haven Road Little Falls, MN 56345 Phone: (320) 632-2992
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KLTF-AM
-News, Talk, Sports and Farm Information 16405 Haven Road Little Falls, MN 56345 Phone: (320) 632-2992
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WYRQ-FM -
"Your Country" 16405 Haven Road Little Falls, MN 56345 Phone: (320) 632-2992
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Morrison County Record
216 1st Street SE Little Falls, MN 56345 Phone: (320) 632-2345 Fax: (320) 632-2348 Weekly newspaper published on Sundays with a circulation of 20,210.
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| 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 |
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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: |
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© 2004-2025 LakesnWoods LLC All Rights Reserved |
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