On behalf of the Freeport Community, we would like to welcome you to the City with a Smile.
As the old saying goes, life is what you make of it, and the same holds true in Freeport. We offer many activities and events that can meet your social and recreational needs, from softball leagues to hunting and fishing, programs and festivals to public service projects.
We also offer many resources for home improvement, beautification and organization. Along with access to health care and education, we take pride in our quality of life and want to thank you for choosing Freeport!
• 836-2112
City Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Office will be closed on legal holidays.
Mayor: Mike Eveslage
Council Members: Jake Renneker
Tim Hennen
Nick Arnzen
Sarah Blake
City Clerk/Treasurer: Jon Nelson
Council Meetings: Last Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
Visit www.freeportmn.org or call (320) 836-2112
EDA (Economic Development Authority): Contact city hall for info on meeting dates
PLEASE NOTE: If you are considering any type of construction or improvement to a future or existing property or building, you will need to complete proper building permit forms.
CenterPoint Energy ....................................800-245-2377 (Emergency) ...................................................800-722-9326
WATER/SEWER Public Works Department ........................320-836-2112
Halfway between Alexandria and St. Cloud, Freeport is located in the very heart of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon.
Whether you’re planning a short visit or thinking of making Freeport your home, you will find an array of businesses and recreational activities available to you. Freeport has an amazing small-town atmosphere.
The Village of Freeport is located in the northeastern corner of Oak Township on the line of what was the Great Northern Railway. It came into existence shortly after the Great Northern, after which the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad Co. built its line from East St. Cloud across the Mississippi and thence to Melrose.
It was at this point that John Hoeschen, who had shortly before come from Germany with his parents, seven brothers and two sisters, opened the first store, while his brother, Joseph, built the first hotel in the village. The two buildings were the first businesses, but previous to this period, several farmers had settled in the area. Henry Wahls owned the town site. The east end, which later became the church and school site, was owned by Frank Benolken. Wahls was the first settler. Other farmers that settled in the immediate neighborhood of what is now the village were the Borgerding family, Henry Hemker and Herman Rieland. The second general store was opened by Anton Rieland in 1884 and the third in 1886 by Joseph Hoeschen, who had sold his hotel business to Joseph Buttweiler.
The village was first named Oak Station, but owing to complications arising in the names of Oak Station and Osakis, it was changed to Freeport. The new name appears to have been suggested by the Benolkens, who came from Freeport, Illinois.
Freeport was incorporated as a village in September 1892. The first officers were Henry Benolken, president; Gothard Harren, recorder; Moritz Hoeschen, Frank Borgerding and H.S. Leitch, trustees; John Hoeschen, treasurer; Carl Finken, marshal and street commissioner.
Previous to the incorporation, two blocks in the village had been platted, known as John Hoeschen’s and Joseph Hoeschen’s Block. In order to obtain the population required for an incorporated village, the territory had to include several surrounding farmhouses and extend the corporate limits. When the articles of incorporation had been accepted, the Village of Freeport was laid out in 16 blocks. Later, the two additions, Beste’s Addition in 1900 and Schoener’s Addition in 1912, were platted. The first sidewalk and oak plank walk were laid in 1894 from the Woling Hotel corner to the church. The village hall was built in 1895, originally a frame structure which was later brick veneered. The steel jail cell was made by Richter and Sons, who then constructed a large blacksmith shop which is still in use. The waterworks system was installed in 1903, and in 1913, a new electric light system was completed. The population of the
Freeport History of
village as given by the census of 1910 was 450.
The railroad station was perhaps the first building in the town proper. The first agent was Mr. Gates, who was succeeded by an agent by the name of Freetag. In 1885, Henry S. Leitch became the agent, and he held the office for 28 years.
School District No. 102, comprising the Village of Freeport and the adjacent vicinity, was organized in 1874. The first schoolhouse, a small log building, was soon replaced by a larger frame structure. It was soon found necessary to build an addition in 1890 that was large enough to accommodate two rooms. Teachers during the early part of the school’s existence were the two Borgerdings — by then Fathers Henry and Thomas, O.S.B. — Henry Benolken, Mr. Moersch, John Steichen, Joseph Hilt, Louis Wiber and Joseph Heinen. Prof. Gothard Harren was the first principal after the two rooms had been added, with John A. Maus as assistant. In 1896, a third room was added, and in 1901 the new brick building, which is now the village’s school, was erected. It contained four rooms and a basement and was attended by about 225 pupils. Prof. Gothard Harren had been retained as the principal of the institution since 1890, a period of over 23 years.
The Freeport post office was established in 1879, with John Hoeschen as first postmaster. It was originally known as the Oak Station office. Mr. Hoeschen was followed by Henry Benolken. Then came Moritz Hoeschen, followed by John W. Kuhn.
The Village of Freeport had a church, a school, two banks, two creameries, three general stores, two hardware stores, two grocery stores, one hotel, two blacksmith shops, one shoe and harness store, a millinery business, electric light, waterworks and the usual activities found in a hamlet of this size.
Schlicht Filling Station, Freeport, circa 1960.
Chamber of Commerce Contact
Services Community
Sara Hoffner, executive director Melrose Area Chamber of Commerce Office: 320-256-7174 | Mobile: 320-493-8944
www.melrosemn.org 223 Main Street E, PO Box 216 Melrose, MN 56352
For more information visit page 14 of the Melrose Resource Guide
The Star PostMelrose 408 E. Main St. Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 351-6579 www.star-pub.com carol.m@star-pub.com
The Star PostAlbany 561 Railroad Ave. PO Box 310 Albany, MN 56307 (320) 845-2700 Fax: 320-845-4805 www.star-pub.com carol.m@star-pub.com
CATHOLIC CHARITIES SENIOR DININGALBANY
Located at Pondview Estates, 334 Golfview Drive. Meals are served Monday - Friday beginning at 11:30 a.m., and home-delivered meals are provided for the communities of Albany, Avon, Freeport, Holdingford, New Munich, Meire Grove, Greenwald, Melrose, Sauk Centre, St. Joseph, St. Martin, St. Rosa, Richmond, Cold Spring, Paynesville, Belgrade, Brooten, Elrosa and St. Stephen for seniors 60 + who meet program criteria. Partially funded under contract with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging as part of the Older Americans Act and administered by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud. Volunteer opportunities are always available for all the route areas. For more information, please call 320-845-4070, email at albanysrdining@ccstcloud.org, call St. Cloud office at 320-229-4584 or visit the website at ccstcloud.org.
FREEPORT LIONS CLUB
The Freeport Lions Club has been proudly serving the community since May 10, 1965. Service projects include many wonderful projects and causes, which enhance our Freeport community.
Meetings are every fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m., January through May at Charlie’s Cafe and September through December at Ackie’s Pioneer Inn. Meetings are not held in June, July or August. We are always seeking new members willing to serve our community. If you are interested in serving as a Lion in Freeport, please contact Rich Primus at 320-293-3410.
The Freeport Fire Department members are Joe Laing (front, from left), Tyler Scherping, Chris Williams, Secretary Loren Goebel, Adam Hoppe, Kurt Ritter, Kyle Rademacher and Jason Hoppe; (middle, from left) Jamie Engelmeyer, Zach Hoeschen, Ryan Meyer, Corey Oevermann, Scott Blais and Matthew Beste; (back, from left) Noah VanBeck, Josh Pung, Assistant Chief Branden Roering, Chief Andy Grieve, Assistant Chief Larry Hoeschen, Scott Hoeschen and Steve Notch. Not pictured are Chris Herdering, AJ Olson and Gary Schmitz.
PHOTO
Sacred Heart Parish Freeport
The weekday Wednesday Mass held in Freeport is the “school Mass” during the school year. The children usually have something unique at those Masses.
106 Third Ave. NE, Freeport MN 56331 www.sacredheartfreeport.org
Sacred Heart Mass Schedule: Wednesday 8:15 a.m. and Friday 8:15 a.m.
Eucharistic Adoration: Every Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (quiet prayer and reflection)
7, 8, 9 - Annual Men’s Fast Pitch Softball Tournament
SEPTEMBER 2026
- Caramel Apple Ride
- Freeport Fall Fest
DECEMBER 2026
- Freeport Santa Night
There is no sign proclaiming Freeport the Softball Capital of the World, nation, state or county. But if it wanted to, the town could make a good argument for that case. Freeport has 30 sanctioned softball teams in four different leagues.
Freeport Little League Softball & Baseball
Freeport has some nice advantages for those wishing to play on its diamonds. One of the biggest is that the community is easily accessible from I-94. Another is that the diamonds are very good diamonds.
Those advantages mean there are a number of people coming into Freeport. While some of them do play on more than one team, it is still very likely that, in any given week during the summer, there are more people coming to play softball in the community than actually live here.
There is a diversification of the leagues. There is a co-rec slow pitch, a men’s slow pitch and a fast pitch league. The men’s slow pitch is unique. It is a wood bat league. The community also offers two lighted diamonds.
Freeport also boasts a beautiful baseball diamond that is home to the Black Sox.
Freeport summers are filled with the excitement and sounds of ballgames. Bud Heidgerken runs the Freeport Men’s Fast Pitch League (13 teams) as well as youth girls softball and boys youth baseball, each program including grades 1-9.
“If kids don’t play ball when they are young, they won’t play ball when they are adults,” Heidgerken says.
Girls softball teams — 14U, 12U, 10U, and 8U — compete in the Osakis League. Boys baseball teams — 14U, 12U, 10U, and 8U — compete in the Stearns County League.
In 2024, 80 boys participated in baseball and 96 girls in softball, demonstrating the popularity of summer sports in Freeport and the surrounding area.
In 2025, a Legion team will be added.
Recreation
BIRCH LAKE STATE FOREST
Birch Lake Campgrounds & Hiking Trails (located nine miles north of Melrose) 29 campsites; $17.00 per night For additional information, visit www.dnr.mn.us or call (320) 223-7841 (Managed by Parks and Trails, Sauk Rapids Area Office)
HEMKER ZOO
County Road 39, Freeport 320-836-2426 | www.hemkerzoo.com
ALBANY GOLF CLUB
18-Hole Golf Course • 320-845-2505
A public 18-hole golf course located adjacent to Interstate 94, a block from Main Street in Albany. Many water hazards provide challenges for the golfer attempting to shoot even par. Visit www. albanygolfcourse.com for membership rates, green fees and other activities offered to the public.
CAMPING
Cedar Lake Memorial Park, Upsala (320) 573-2983
El Rancho Manana, Richmond (320) 597-2740
MEADOWLARK COUNTRY CLUB
9-Hole Golf Course (320) 256-4989
FISHING
Minnesota is known for its fishing. Favorite spots are part of family lore (sometimes kept very secret), and stories of ‘the one that got away’ can be heard every week after the state fishing opener.
While that opener is a big deal, for many Freeport area residents, one that comes close is the annual Freeport Family Fun Fishing Tournament held every year at nearby King’s Lake. A big attraction is that it’s for children. Tournament organizers make sure all the children who participate leave with something. Those landing big fish earn tournament prizes, but all receive various donated gifts from the tournament sponsors. The tournament is held every year in June.
AVON BEACH
Avon has one of the few public beaches in the area. The beach is close to the Lake Wobegon Trail. Amenities include a sand beach, picnic tables and restrooms open to the public daily until 10 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
A project named “Back the Beach” aims to make the City of Avon beach a family-oriented place and keep it that way so that everyone that utilizes it feels comfortable and has an enjoyable experience. It involves patrolling of the beach by unlicensed uniformed beach patrol officers who have the authority to enforce the City of Avon beach ordinances, which include enforcement of no alcohol, no smoking, no glass, etc. as posted by signs and stated in the ordinance.
Country Club Dr. Melrose, MN 56352
in Freeport inFreeport
The agriculture industry continues to be an integral part of Freeport’s success. Dairy and turkey, along with pork, beef and crops are the dominant agricultural industries in our area.
The dairy industry continues to have traditional 60- to 90-cow farms with pipeline milkers, while many expansions now include a milking parlor, robotic milking systems, freestall cow housing and dairy herds of 150 to 1,000 cows. Farms are growing in size as family members decide to farm together versus separately. According to the 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture, Stearns County had 69,000 dairy cows on 720 dairy farms. The average cow produced 22,000 pounds of milk annually compared to 10,000 pounds of milk produced annually in 1975.
A few reasons for the increase are better feeding practices, improved genetics and increased use of technologies, which allow farmers to provide individualized care. Stearns County is the No. 1 county in Minnesota for milk production, total milk cows and total cash receipts for livestock sales, along with cattle and calves on inventory.
There are a number of turkey farms in the area as well. A majority of them have contracts with Jennie-O Turkey Store to raise a certain number of birds. A majority of the turkeys that are contracted with Jennie-O Turkey Store are processed at the plant in Melrose.
There are also pork and beef producers in the area; however, much of the hog finishing has gone to contract finishing, so not as many small farmers in the area have been choosing to raise pork.
Cash crops are also raised in the Freeport area. These crops include corn, soybeans and alfalfa. Some of these crops will be sold to the feed mills in town or hauled to another site. The majority of the alfalfa that is raised as cash crops is sold locally to dairy farmers or brought to a hay auction. Stearns County is the No. 1 county in Minnesota for hay production and oat production. The Freeport economy continues to be vibrant and is highly dependent on the agriculture industry.
For more information please visit page 27-28 of the Melrose Resource Guide
Education school Sacred Heart
CENTRAL EDUCATION DISTRICT
9 Second St. SW, Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 256-6026 | www.wced6026.org
For more information please visit page 28 of the Melrose Resource Guide
303 Second St. NE, PO Box 39 Freeport, MN 56331 (320) 836-2591 | www.shsfreeport.org
Mrs. Kristie Harren, Principal kharren@shsfreeport.org
Our Mission Statement: Led by the Holy Spirit and supported by our Tri-Parish and Christian communities, Sacred Heart School unites students, families and staff in their spiritual, social and academic journeys. We strive to inspire, challenge and empower one another to impact the world with the knowledge, values and gifts with which God has blessed us.
Catholic/Christian environment: Students are involved in liturgies, prayer services, social outreach and learning about their Catholic faith.
Please contact Sacred Heart School for more information!
• Highly-qualified teachers in Toddler Center - Grade 6 (licensed preschool and toddler center.)
• Strong academic curriculum studied and updated regularly.
• After school extracurricular activities including: guitar group Sacred Heart Strings, Sprinters Club, book club, chess and cribbage club, tech club, yearbook, robotics, Bible study, card club, 3D printing, creative digital, board games, crafts and sports clubs (softball, basketball, volleyball and open gym).
• Integrated technology throughout all grade levels.
• Music, art and physical education specialists.
• Care and educational opportunities for children ages 18 months - 12 years.
• Summer care and before and after school care for school-aged children.
• Parent/family involvement.
• Early childhood and kindergarden screening/ registration in February. Contact school for more details.
Albany Clinic offers area residents primary care services in a high-quality, cost-effective and caring manner. Our family medicine physicians and advanced practice providers care for patients of all ages. Onsite lab, imaging, physical therapy, ultrasound and diabetes education are offered at the clinic. Specialists also provide consultation for OB/GYN, orthopedics and podiatry.
To learn more about the various medical services at our hospitals and clinics, visit CentraCare.com.
(Located just off I-94 next to golf course and Seven Dolors Catholic Church)
• Rapid Recovery • Nursing Home Affordable Senior Housing • Assisted Living Apartments Enhanced Assisted Living • Memory Care
For information on CentreCare-Melrose, please visit page 35 of the Melrose Resource Guide CentraCare-Melrose 525 W. Main St., Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 256-4231 | centracare.com
ACCOUNTING/ FINANCIAL/ BENEFITS
Business Directory
Black Financial ....... page 5 (320) 356-9031
110 Avon Ave. N. Avon, MN 56310 www.blackfinancialservices.com
