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Marshall County, Minnesota

54 topographic sheets cover 23 settlements here, and 3 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

3 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Minnesota within the United States
Marshall County within Minnesota

What the record shows

  • 220 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 3 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 2 buildings and 1 district.
  • 1 of the 3 listings was added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 23 populated places in this county; 23 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

3

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Larson Millbuilding197373000983
Old Mill State Park WPA/Rustic Style Historic Resourcesdistrict198989001667
K.J. Taralseth Companybuilding200202000938

Wildfire, 1993 to 2020

649 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 649 of them, burning about 65,724 acres. 3 started naturally and 354 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Arson/incendiarism354
Debris and open burning191
Equipment and vehicle use38
Missing data/not specified/undetermined35
Railroad operations and maintenance14
Recreation and ceremony6
Power generation/transmission/distribution4
Natural3
Smoking2
Fireworks1
Misuse of fire by a minor1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. Five of them were set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
30 September 2012Missing data/not specified/undetermined4,440 acresMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesCOUNTY 27 FIRE
3 May 2003Missing data/not specified/undetermined2,150 acresMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesAGASSIZ
23 April 1998Arson/incendiarism1,920 acresMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
15 April 2007Arson/incendiarism1,600 acresMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesLINCOLN
3 May 2003Arson/incendiarism1,590 acresAgassiz National Wildlife RefugeNORTH EAST WEIR FIRE
13 May 2013Missing data/not specified/undetermined1,570 acresMinnesota Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
21 April 2000Arson/incendiarism1,540 acresMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesCOMO FIRE
26 April 2006Arson/incendiarism1,496 acresMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesGRAIN BIN

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1957 to 2025

60 of 448 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 448 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 4 injuries and about $3,502,900 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail209
Thunderstorm Wind159
Tornado36
Flash Flood18
Flood15
Funnel Cloud9
Lightning1
Heavy Rain1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
June 1976Tornado (F1)not stated4 hurt, $250,000no account filed
April 2006FloodCountywide$1,590,000The Red River at Oslo rose above flood stage around 1 AM CST on April 1st and remained above flood stage until around 10 AM CST on April 26th. The river peaked at roughly 37.70 feet around 8 PM CST on April 6th. Unofficially, 37.70 feet would be the fourth highest modern-day river stage recorded. The highest modern-day river stage of 11.16 feet (unofficial) was recorded on the Snake River at Alvarado on April 2nd. The Red River spread well out of it banks from around Oslo northward, essentially becoming a lake. Overland flooding also occurred in addition to the river flooding, with many roads around the county closed due to flooding. The ring-diked town of Oslo was completely surrounded by flood water. Minnesota State Highway 1 was closed east of Oslo and State Highway 220 was closed in spots north of Oslo. The Red River bridge at Oslo was closed during the peak of the flood as was the Red River bridge east of Grafton (ND). With Oslo being cut off, 20 of the town's children could not attend their school in Warren. For several days, these children gathered at the Oslo American Legion building to keep up with classwork. The Minnesota Governor authorized the National Guard to assist in the flood fight, working on dike patrols, security, and traffic control. Several Coast Guard units were brought in to assist residents with emergencies through the use of airboats and helicopters. After the spring flood of 1997, many communities along the Red River looked at ways to mitigate flood effects. Oslo is the only community located next to the Red River and its ring dike kept the floodwaters at bay. Marshall County received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damages caused by spring flooding.In summary, the total public and private flood losses experienced within the Red River of the North basin through late March and April 2006 were likely in excess of $20 million. This includes the following amounts. For Minnesota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8.5 million. For North Dakota state and local infrastructure (this total includes the damages listed for each county), $8 million. For Federal agencies (USACE, USGS, and USCG), $1.5 million. For the transportation industry costs due to traffic diversions caused by prolonged road and bridge closures, $1.5 million. For personal property losses due to floodwaters surrounding more than 500 individual farmsteads and rural homesteads, $1.0 million.
May 2000Thunderstorm WindMiddle River$500,000Straight-line winds hit Middle River, causing roof and tree damage. Several grain bins and barns were destroyed and the front of a building blew off and landed on a pickup truck. A window was also blown out of a trailer.
July 2020Tornado (EF1)Argyle$350,000This tornado was partially embedded in downburst winds and heavy rain. It tracked through one farmyard and across the town of Argyle, and ended about 1 mile east of town. Grain bins were crumpled, trees snapped, and shingles torn off roofs. In Argyle, a tall grain bin was caved in and its top conveyor was torn off at the elevator complex, and the bleachers were tossed at the baseball field.
July 1999Tornado (F2)Oslo$100,000The tornado lifted the roof off a warehouse, depositing it nearly 2 miles away to the southeast. A 6-ton truck was also pushed nearly 150 yards.
May 1996Flash FloodWarren$100,000no account filed
June 1999Thunderstorm WindWarren$75,000A roof was blown off a building in Warren and a greenhouse was destroyed. A tree was also blown over on a house and three mobile homes sustained damage.
July 2014Flash FloodAlvarado$50,000Street and basement flooding was reported.
August 2006Flash FloodArgyle$50,000Extensive street flooding occurred in Argyle after nearly 6 inches of rain fell in less than 3 hours. Water flowed to a depth of up to 2 feet in some streets and portions of U.S. Highway 75 were temporarily blocked. Ditches and fields were flooded in the surrounding area throughout the night and into the following forenoon.
April 2019FloodStephen Arpt$50,000no account filed
May 2019LightningArgyle$40,000The Minnesota Fire Marshal determined that a house fire started from a lightning strike. A corner of the house, the attached garage, and a back porch were all damaged by the fire.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindStrandquist$40,000Three wooden power poles were snapped along highway 59. Numerous nearby poplar trees were also snapped.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindWarren$30,000A farm drive-through shed was blown down along with numerous tree branches.
July 2020Flash FloodStephen Arpt$25,000Fields, farm yards, and farm access roads were flooded across central and northern Sinnott Township.
September 1964Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
June 2014Flash FloodMiddle River$20,000Flooding occurred along the Middle River in the town of Middle River, causing a few streets to be closed and several spots to be sandbagged. Farm fields and farm access roads were also flooded near the Middle River in eastern Spruce Valley and western Cedar townships.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindFlorian$20,000A grain bin was tipped over.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindGatzke$20,000Several large four to six inch diameter branches were knocked down by the wind.
August 2004Tornado (F1)Holt$15,000The tornado tore the doors and part of a roof off a 40x60 foot pole barn and spread debris around a farmstead. The tornado lifted near the Thief River.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindStrandquist$15,000Strong winds tipped over a grain dryer, ripped a steel quonset storage shed from its foundation, and tossed a hay ring a half mile.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindGrygla$15,000Power lines were downed in the strong wind.
July 2008Tornado (EF0)Stephen Arpt$10,000The tornado tracked for nearly a mile to about 3 miles north-northwest of Stephen. Branches were broken off in shelterbelts and minor crop swirls were noted. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.
July 2006Tornado (F1)Stephen$10,000This tornado originated in Kittson county 3 miles east-northeast of Donaldson at 1602 CST. The tornado blew over a road sign and caused additional extreme wind stress as crops were swirled by the winds. Peak wind speeds were estimated at 80 mph.
July 1998Thunderstorm WindGrygla$10,000Many trees were blown down in the strong wind, one landing on top of a house. A trailer home was moved off its foundation.
May 1996Flash FloodAlverado$10,000no account filed
June 2020Tornado (EF1)Middle River$6,000This tornado was viewed and recorded by at least two chase teams as it tracked intermittently for about 9 miles. The tornado snapped numerous trees in groves along its path, spreading debris up to 300 yards wide across one roadway. Peak winds were estimated at 100 mph.
June 2020Tornado (EF1)Florian$5,000This tornado snarled and snapped trees in multiple shelterbelts along its path. Peak winds were estimated at 105 mph.
May 2010Flash FloodEspelie$5,000Several farm fields and farm access roads were flooded.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindGatzke$5,000Several large tree branches were blown down along with heavy rain and pea sized hail.
August 2008Thunderstorm WindStephen$5,000A few hailstones and very strong winds flattened crops.
July 2002Thunderstorm WindWarren$5,000Strong winds blew a tree onto a house.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindGatzke$5,000Large trees and power poles were blown down.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindStephen$5,000Trees were uprooted and several small buildings were overturned.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindStrandquist$5,00012 telephone poles were downed along Highway 59 from Strandquist to 3 miles south of Karlstad.
April 2013FloodStephen Arpt$5,000no account filed
March 2009FloodStephen Arpt$5,000no account filed
April 2009FloodStephen Arpt$5,000no account filed
July 2001Flash FloodGrygla$2,000Street flooding was reported in Grygla. County roads, yards, and fields were also flooded along the Mud River. Several homes were completely surrounded by water.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindGrygla$2,000Trees were blown down by the strong wind.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindStrandquist$2,00012 large oak trees were flattened by the wind.
June 2016Flash FloodStephen Arpt$2,000no account filed
September 2024Flash FloodFlorian$1,000Public reports flash flooding, with 5.22 inches of rain reported northeast of Old Mill State Park.
August 2002Thunderstorm WindGatzke$1,000Many large trees were snapped off.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindGrygla$1,000Large trees were blown down.
July 2001Flash FloodViking$1,000Ditches overflowed near Viking.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindWarren$1,000Tree damage was reported in Warren.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindMiddle River$1,000Tree damage was reported north of Middle River.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindStrandquist$1,000Large tree limbs were blown down.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindAlvarado$1,000Several power poles were damaged by the wind.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindStephen$1,000Strong thunderstorm winds produced tree damage.
May 2024FloodBig Woods$500Oslo gage, on the Red River. Crested at 25.34 ft on May 30th at 11:15 AM.
August 2002Thunderstorm WindStephen$500Trees were blown down.
June 2001Thunderstorm WindStephen$500Large tree limbs were blown down.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindHolt$500Tree branches were blown down.
August 2001Thunderstorm WindStephen$500A large tree was blown down and another tree fell on a porch roof.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindOslo$500Trees were blown down.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindStephen$500Tree limbs were blown down.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindStrandquist$500no account filed
July 1996Thunderstorm WindAlverado$500no account filed
August 2002Thunderstorm WindStephen$300Trees were blown down.

Mines and quarries

12 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 12 workings inside this county. 11 still produce and 1 is closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction12

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Arnie Samuelson PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Benson Pit & MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Davidson Pit and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Donarski PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Erickson Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Falls Pit and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Harstad PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Hjelle PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Karlstad Pit and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Marshall County Newfolden PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Ornquist Pit and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Waswick PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer

Every populated place in the county

23

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.