G.A.R. Hall & Meeker County Historical Society

Litchfield, Minnesota

Meeker County was created on February 23, 1856, by the Seventh Territorial Legislature.  Before this time the land was a hunting ground for the Native Americans.  The Dakota, let by Little Crow, claimed the land up to the northern border of Meeker County.  Land further north was claimed by the Chippewa.  Meeker County was named after Judge B.B. Meeker of St. Anthony.  There is no record that he actually had any part in the creation of the county. 

The first settlers in Meeker County had arrived in 1855.  John Huy, Benjamin Brown and Mr. Mackenzie made their way up the Crow River searching for pine timber.  Although they found no pine trees on the edge of the Big Woods, they did find the land favorable for settling.  In 1856 they erected a claim shanty and called their village Forest City.  At the same time  Manannah  was settled in NW Meeker County. 

Both Forest City and Manannah were involved in the Dakota War in 1862.  Forest City is well known today for its stockade.  It was built on September 3, 1862, and housed hundreds of settlers during the Dakota War that began in Acton, 4 miles southwest of Litchfield.  The stockade immediately was tested on September 4.  Several area building were burned and it is estimated 65 horses were taken or killed.  But the settlers were secure in their new stockade.   Eleven settlers from Manannah staying in Forest City returned home, and four were killed by the Dakota Indians in what was called the “Manannah Massacre”.  Later a stockade was built at Manannah in 1863.

Forest City served as the county seat, although Greenleaf had been settled and was also seeking to have an important place in the county.  With the arrival of the railroad in 1869 and the settlement of Litchfield along the rail line, both communities began to fade in their importance.   After the Civil War, a large number of immigrants moved to Meeker County, mainly coming from the northern European countries and Kentucky and West Virginia.  Early businesses included fur, wood products, wheat, followed by flax, barley and other grains.  A creamery was organized in Litchfield in 1885, and by 1890 hogs and cattle filled out the farming program.   By 1900, alfalfa and corn became more prominent in agriculture for the region. 

The dairy industry continued to grow, and by 1920 Meeker County featured 17 creameries and a cheese factory.  Around 1920, local creameries joined together to organize First District Association.  Soon a state-wide group was formed that eventually became Land O’Lakes Creamery.  Meeker County Resident John Brandt helped organize Land O’Lakes and was its president until his death. 

Farming is still an important part of Meeker County, including dairy and poultry.  The county features over 100 fishing and swimming lakes.  More information and numerous pictures from the individual townships can be found by clicking on the map at the bottom of this page. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Map of Meeker County in 1874. 

For more information click on each township.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Now Dassel Township)