CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY

Alexandria was founded in 1858 – the same year Minnesota became a state. Brothers Alexander and William Kinkead of Delaware traveled along the Red River Trail, stopping to establish a settlement on the shores of Lake Agnes. Alexander served as the first Postmaster and the townsite was named “Alexandria” in his honor. In 1859 a state road was cut through the area, and the J.C. Burbank Stage line brought an influx of settlers. The site was abandoned in 1862, however, due to a Sioux uprising. The US Army erected a stockade here and when the uprising settled, people returned. Alexandria became a government post until treaties were signed with the Sioux and the troops left in 1866.

Douglas County’s boundaries were set in 1866. The county was named for Senator Steven Douglas who helped with its establishment. A government land office opened in Alexandria and the signing of the Homestead Act by President Lincoln brought a surge of European immigrants and Civil War veterans. Eventually the Soo Line crossed the county bringing more settlers. With the wealth of fish and game in the area and the ease of access provided by the railroad, the area became a popular vacation spot and remains so today!

Our historic landmarks - Kensington Rune Stone and Big Ole

In 1898, Swedish immigrant Olof Ohman found a greywacke stone in the roots of an aspen tree on his farm in Kensington, 15 miles southwest of Alexandria. The stone was 31” x 16” x 6”, weighed 202 pounds, and included Nordic runes and the date 1362. The inscription purports to be a record left by Scandinavian explorers in the 14th century. Since its discovery, much controversy has surrounded the stone’s authenticity. The stone has led scientists, geologists, and linguists to debate its authenticity and prove how a runic artifact, dated 1362, could show up in North America. The Kensington Rune Stone is on permanent exhibit at the Runestone Museum. Ohman’s farm site is now a Douglas County Park (Kensington Rune Stone Park) that features a Visitor Center with information on the historic stone.

The most eye-catching landmark in Alexandria is the giant Viking Statue named Big Ole. The 28-foot, 4-ton structure was created to accompany the Kensington Rune Stone to the 1965 World’s Fair in New York for the display “Minnesota, Birthplace of America.” After the fair the statue moved to its new home in Alexandria. He was moved a few times through the years, now standing at a park named in his honor, Big Ole Park, along Alexandria’s Second Avenue. Big Ole is cared for and maintained by the Runestone Museum Foundation.

Click here to view Big Ole live!
​CAMERA AND LIVE FEED BANDWIDTH PROVIDED BY ALP BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS AND EXPLORE ALEXANDRIA TOURISM

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