History Story

This 1915 photo card features the Norwegian Lutheran Church building that was built in 1907. This replaced an earlier pioneer church founded in 1872 by Norwegian immigrant families in Alexandria, Minnesota.  Services were held in Norwegian.  Each immigrant group in Douglas County, MN had their own churches of varying denominations and languages, except for the…

Like many towns in Minnesota, early Alexandria settlers who prospered had the wherewithal to build lovely homes in a variety of architectural styles. Skilled carpenters and craftsmen were found among the community, and constructing these homes provided steady employment.  The Alexandria Residential Historic District is on the National Register of Historic places, whose website describes…

One of the upstairs rooms at the Douglas County Historical Society in Alexandria is dedicated to those men and women from Douglas County who served in the Military.  One of the displays tells the story of Carl Albin Michaelson, who served in France during World War I.  On display is a copy of a letter…