History of our County

When Europeans first explored and then settled into what is now Kandiyohi County, hardship and conflict were two of their closest companions. If the wheels stayed on the wagon and the sun was shining with the temperature a comfortable 75 degrees and a pleasant breeze keeping the mosquitoes at bay, life should have been good. Chances are though, with a baby on the way, a garden to tend—necessary for winter survival—plus a cabin to build and grass to cut so your animals could also survive, you just might not have noticed the weather that day. Nature also exacted a high price from these hardy pioneers in other ways. Disease, accidents, child birth, and prairie storms all took their toll. Reading through the county’s early history you’ll encounter name after name with a short paragraph about their life and a final sentence that states matter of factly, “Killed by lightning.” You’ll see this often enough to realize that with storms rolling across a mostly treeless prairie, settlers unfortunately seemed to make the best lightning rods. Then, in 1862, a new problem not caused by nature erupted for the settlers when the Native Americans decided it was time to drive these European homesteaders from their ancestral hunting grounds. An unfortunate and bloody conflict ensued. From 1862 to 1866 the government, for the safety of the settlers, removed them all from this county and only soldiers at military posts remained. The Kandiyohi County Historical Society has placed markers throughout the county that give a short description of some of the most significant events that occurred in the county’s challenging early years. For a fun and informative day trip, maps are available at the historical society that locate these markers. This interesting day trip will take you across prairies, through woodlands, along lakes, and give you a more personal understanding of the land and the people who lived here before us. Encountering firsthand the locations where significant historical events happened makes history come alive. It’s worth the drive.

Guri Endreson Cabin

The log home of the Lars and Guri Endreson family, one of the first settlers in the county, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This cabin is one of the fewremaining original buildings in the county which actually survived the Dakota Conflict of 1862. It is located west of Willmar on Highway 12, then north 4 miles on County Road 5, then west on 67th Avenue Northwest, following directional signs. The story of Guri Endreson is one of incredible courage and strength in the face of unbelievable grief and fear, during the 1862 Conflict. Guri’s husband, Lars, and one of her sons was killed. Another son was wounded and two of her daughters were taken prisoner. By hiding in the cellar, Guri, her wounded son along with her infant daughter, managed to avoid discovery. The next day she traveled with her son and daughter by ox cart to the Erickson cabin where she found both Erickson and Solomon Foot badly wounded. She dressed their wounds, loaded them on her ox cart and traveled across the prairie to safety at Forest City. There she found her daughters who had escaped their captors. After the settlers were allowed to return home, she went back to her little cabin where she lived the remainder of her life. Historians list her among the great women in Minnesota history.

For additional information about the history of our region go to the Kandiyohi Historical Society Web Site.

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