area ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria’s population of 14,335 swells in the summer months due to the large amount of tourism in the area. The city is located just a couple of hours northwest of the Twin Cities on I-94. The site of the 1858 settlement was established by William and Alexander Kinkead (for whom the city was named). An army fort was built in 1862 after an Indian uprising, and afterward, growth was steady in the town. The village of Alexandria was incorporated in 1877, and the first passenger train reached the settlement in 1878. The village became an official city in 1909.
BRANDON
Brandon, population 492, is located about 15 miles west of Alexandria on County Road 82. The village, which was an early stagecoach stop, was originally called “Chippewa” and was located north of the current townsite. When the railroad
TOWNS
was built through the area in 1879, the town re-formed alongside the tracks and was named after Brandon, Vermont, the birthplace of Stephen A. Douglas, for whom Douglas County was named. The town was incorporated in 1881.
CARLOS
Carlos, population 494, is located about nine miles north of Alexandria on State Highway 29. The city began to form in 1867 just after the Indian uprising. When the railroad was built in 1903, an area near the tracks was chosen as the official townsite. It was named after nearby Lake Carlos. The town was incorporated on July 7, 1904.
EVANSVILLE
Evansville, population 599, is located about 20 miles west of Alexandria on County Road 82. The village was platted in the fall of 1879, with the coming of the first railway train, and was incorporated in 1881. The village was named for the
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county’s first mail carrier, Evans, who carried mail on foot from Alexandria to Fort Abercrombie.
FORADA
Forada, population 161, is eight miles south of Alexandria on State Highway 29 and east on County Road 4. The railway village was platted in July 1903 by Cyrus A. Campbell and incorporated April 6, 1905. It was named for Campbell’s wife, Ada. Because there already was a city in Minnesota named Ada, he changed it to Forada (For Ada).
GARFIELD
Garfield, population 357, is located about seven miles west of Alexandria on County Road 82. The railway village was platted Feb. 17, 1882, and incorporated Sept. 9, 1905. The city was named in honor of President Garfield, who was shot and killed by an assassin just prior to the official naming of the railroad town.
