Sherburne County’s early settlers dreamed of creating
a county based on industrial strength.
The economic crisis and 1857 Depression killed the dream. Instead, Sherburne County became a farming center. Several industrial towns and plat sites
planned for Sherburne County hints at a potentially different character of the
county. If only dreams had come true.
Elk River originated as an industrial settlement by
first building a saw mill and grist mill.
The Elk and Mississippi Rivers’ steady water supply guaranteed success
to the mills. The Great Northern
Railroad railhead stopped in Elk River until 1866. The community was destined to grow into an
industrial giant.
At least four communities in Sherburne County failed
to develop like Elk River. Developers
platted and planned sites around the county.
All failed to develop. The failures
included: Liberty, a site planned for industrial growth in Big Lake Township;
Marseilles existed on paper near Becker; Groton was platted along the St.
Francis River in Blue Hill Township; and plans for the community of Wheeler
developed in Haven Township. All the
sites planned construction of sawmills and grist mills. Dreams collapsed with the economic downturn
in 1857.
Before financial ruin Sherburne County seemed destined
to industrial greatness. With the
increasing crisis of the economy and Civil War, the dream of industry faded and
agriculture expanded the county.
Imagine the potential character of Sherburne County if
only dreams had come true.
Elk River flour mill, circa 1887. from the SHC collections 1990.200.551
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