History

Albany’s

HISTORY

The City of Albany was incorporated in 1890, but not without a struggle. The fi rst petition to incorporate, signed by 33 male residents of the proposed area of incorporation, was presented to the Stearns County Board of Commissioners Nov. 30, 1888. The County Board issued a notice calling for an election on the issue at the District 59 schoolhouse the following January. The Great Northern and Soo Line Railroads once bounded the city, but have since been removed and the right of way now is utilized for pedestrian (hiking/biking) travel. One of the lines running from Avon through Albany to Sauk Centre is now a paved bike, hike and snowmobile trail called the Lake Wobegon Trail. The water plant was installed in 1902 and electricity in 1909. Beautiful Pine and Pelican Lakes are about 4 miles northeast of Albany. It wasn’t an accident that the commercial development on Railroad Avenue (Main Street) was almost confi ned to one side of the street. The railroad designed it that way, the objective always being to receive revenue from people who used the rails. The land within the 300-foot railroad right of way was not for sale, only for lease. Businesses allowed to lease the land from the railroad were those who shipped by rail – livestock, grain, general merchandise, farm implements, automobiles and so on. Retail merchants and service businesses hesitated to build on the railroad right of way with only a 30-day lease, so they built on the north side of Main Street. The City celebrated 125 years in 2015. Two Rivers Settlement in 1862 John Schwinghammer, Jr., laid the fi rst claim in Two Rivers Settlement. The Obermiller and Platz families followed one year later. A halfway house was in Albany during the mid-1860s to accommodate pioneer travelers and traders on the Red River Trail. Seven Dolors parish was organized and a log church was built in 1868. This church also served as a school. Isador Obermiller served as fi rst postmaster in 1870 with the coming of the Great Northern Railroad north of Albany. The settlement was relocated in 1872 and named Albany. A monument was erected on County Road 54, 1/2 mile east of Albany, in 1982 by the Stearns County Historical Society.

Professional Movers for Your Home or Business! Full service white glove delivery!

GIVE US A CALL TODAY! Product Delivery, Discard & Debris Removal

We strive to exceed your expectations! D.O.T# 11444430 Doug Legatt 320-250-2855 www.WeHaulForYou.com

Albany Mutual Insurance Company

Pat Raeker, Manager • Betty Mrozek, Of ce Assistant HOME OFFICE: 141 Fifth Street, PO Box 301, Albany, MN 56307 320-845-2375

A Century of Serving Our Neighbors

OUR AGENTS:

Advantage One - Albany ..............320-845-4020 Advantage One - Long Prairie ......320-732-6611 Advantage One - St. Cloud ..........800-320-7262 First State Agency - Sauk Centre 320-352-7200 Heinen Insurance..........................320-597-2672 Kensington Insurance ..................877-254-3191 Lieser Insurance ...........................320-243-7144 Marshik Agency ............................320-632-2328 North Risk Partners - Albany .......320-845-7070 North Risk Partners - Melrose .....320-256-7401 Scegura Insurance .......................320-746-2582 Schif er Insurance .......................320-845-2887 Schmidt Insurance .......................320-356-9440 St. Martin Insurance .....................320-548-3556 Vanguard Insurance .....................320-732-6629