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Wilkin County, Minnesota

48 topographic sheets cover 14 settlements here, and 7 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

7 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Minnesota within the United States
Wilkin County within Minnesota

What the record shows

  • 145 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 7 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 7 buildings.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 14 populated places in this county; 14 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

7

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
Femco Farm No. 2building198080002184
J. A. Johnson Blacksmith Shopbuilding199696000174
David N. Peet Farmsteadbuilding198080002187
Stiklestad United Lutheran Churchbuilding198080002183
Tenney Fire Hallbuilding198080002186
Wilkin County Courthousebuilding198080002182
Wolverton Public Schoolbuilding198080002188

Wildfire, 1992 to 2019

13 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 13 of them, burning about 5,099 acres. 1 started naturally and none was recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined6
Equipment and vehicle use3
Debris and open burning2
Natural1
Recreation and ceremony1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
7 October 2003Missing data/not specified/undetermined2,855 acresMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesROTHSAY
1 May 1992Debris and open burning910 acresFergus Falls Wetland Management DistrictMEADOWS
21 May 2012Equipment and vehicle use900 acresFergus Falls Wetland Management DistrictFFR DNR ASSIST
28 April 2003Missing data/not specified/undetermined288 acresFergus Falls Wetland Management DistrictBROWN (SOUTH)
6 May 1996Missing data/not specified/undetermined56 acresFergus Falls Wetland Management DistrictGERMUNDSON
7 May 2018Equipment and vehicle use55 acresFergus Falls Wetland Management DistrictBELLMORE WF
18 April 2015Missing data/not specified/undetermined21 acresFergus Falls Wetland Management DistrictHAUGRUD WF
27 April 1998Recreation and ceremony5.0 acresFergus Falls Wetland Management DistrictWIRTH

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

Storms, 1950 to 2025

60 of 364 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 364 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 7 injuries and about $2,663,600 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind136
Hail126
Tornado35
Flash Flood35
Flood15
Funnel Cloud14
Heavy Rain2
Lightning1

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 1950Tornado (F2)not stated4 hurt, $2,500no account filed
July 1955Tornado (F3)not stated3 hurt, $250,000no account filed
April 2006FloodCountywide$552,000The Red River at Wahpeton/Breckenridge rose above flood stage around 2 AM CST on March 30th and remained above flood stage until around 8 PM CST on April 9th. The river peaked at roughly 15.95 feet around 3 AM CST on April 1st. Unofficially, 15.95 feet would be the sixth highest modern-day river stage recorded. Overland flooding also occurred in addition to the river flooding. Roughly 35 bridges and 35 roads around the county were closed due to flooding. A 6 mile stretch of Minnesota Highway 210 east of Breckenridge was covered with flowing water. U.S. Highway 75 was closed at the railroad underpass at Kent, while the Red River bridge from Kent to Abercrombie was also closed. The Minnesota Governor authorized the National Guard to assist in the flood fight, providing generators and support to the Wolverton area. After the spring flood of 1997, many communities along the Red River looked at ways to mitigate flood effects. For Breckenridge, a higher permanent levee system was in the process of being constructed. A majority of the dike work had been completed, but some stretches were still unfinished and needed temporary patches. A diversion was also constructed on the Otter Tail River at Breckenridge, which diverted floodwaters from the Otter Tail River north of the city and then back into the Red River. Wilkin 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.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindTenney$500,000Several large grain bins were caved in by the strong wind and a couple of empty grain cars were blown over.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindBreckenridge$250,000Numerous large trees were snapped or uprooted at various locations along a roughly 3 mile wide path centered along MN Highway 210. Farm machinery was moved about, doors and roofing materials were torn off farm buildings and homes. Peak winds estimated at 90 to 100 mph at multiple locations.
June 1979Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
June 2008Tornado (EF1)Foxhome$150,000The tornado tracked for about two miles to around two miles north of Foxhome by 6 PM CDT. A machine shed was moved off its foundation. Several large trees were broken down or snapped off near the ground in local shelter belts. The peak winds were estimated at 95 mph with a maximum width of 50 yards.
July 2020Tornado (EF1)Foxhome$50,000This tornado began in Wilkin County, but ended in Otter Tail County, on the north side of Fergus Falls. The tornado was wrapped in downburst winds and rain, with a total track length of about 11 miles. The tornado uprooted or snapped numerous trees in shelterbelts along its path. It also snapped a few power poles and tore the roof off and collapsed the walls at a welding and manufacturing shop near the Fergus Falls airport. Peak winds were estimated at 100 mph.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindCampbell$50,000A tool shed was blown down. Debris caused broken windows on the house. Several large trees were snapped off.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindWolverton$50,00010 aluminum transmission structure were blown over by the strong wind.
March 2019FloodWolverton$50,000no account filed
April 2019FloodWolverton$50,000no account filed
May 1996Tornado (F1)Campbell$50,000no account filed
May 1996Thunderstorm WindRothsay$50,000no account filed
August 2008Flash FloodBreckenridge$40,000The city park was flooded and several streets were blocked off due to street flooding.
June 2002Tornado (F2)Rothsay$25,000A brief tornado touchdown demolished a 76x296 foot roof on a turkey barn.
July 2002Thunderstorm WindCampbell$25,000A small aircraft hangar was blown down with the debris scattered over one-half mile away.
June 1986Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
July 1977Tornado (F1)not stated$25,000no account filed
July 2011Thunderstorm WindTenney$20,000A few large trees were blown down at a farmstead. Wind damage continued intermittently through Tenney to Nashua, and across southern Campbell and Champion townships.
July 2008HailCampbell$20,000The hail varied in size from penny to golfball.
August 2008Flash FloodKent$20,000U.S. Highway 75 was flooded at the railroad underpass near Kent.
July 2002Thunderstorm WindCampbell$20,000Widespread tree and roof damage was observed. Trees were uprooted and power lines were blown down.
April 2012Tornado (EF0)Kent$15,000This tornado touched down near a farmstead and then tracked intermittently to the east for about a half mile. The tornado tore all of the tin roofing and roof panels from an open faced pole shed. It also tore down several tree limbs in the farmyard and tossed a trampoline on top of the garage. Peak winds were estimated at 80 mph.
July 2002Thunderstorm WindCampbell$15,000A garage was blown down.
June 2013FloodWolverton$10,000Overland flooding developed over portions of Wolverton Township drained by Wolverton Creek. Six to ten inches of very heavy rainfall the preceding evening collected in farm fields, ditches, and smaller streams through the early morning then steadily drained towards Wolverton Creek and the Red River. Wolverton Creek overtopped and partially washed out rural township and county roads at several locations.
June 2009Flash FloodWolverton$10,000Farm access roads and a 140 acre field were flooded. U.S. Highway 75 north of Kent was underwater and remained closed due to damage from earlier spring flooding. Portions of southern Roberts and northern McCauleyville townships along the Whiskey Creek drainage basin received 5 to 7 inches of rain from late afternoon into the late evening of the 16th.
July 2002Thunderstorm WindTenney$10,000A power pole was snapped and trees damaged.
July 2016Flash FloodBreckenridge$5,000Fields and farm access roads were flooded near the Doran Slough.
June 2013Flash FloodWolverton$5,000Widespread flooding was reported in and around Wolverton. A total of 8.25 inches of rain was reported in town with over nine inches reported just outside of town to the south.
June 2013Flash FloodKent$5,000Water was reported over U. S. Highway 75 near Kent.
July 2011Tornado (EF1)Breckenridge$5,000This tornado touched down in a farmstead shelterbelt just east of Lake Breckenridge and tracked near a second residence during its roughly one mile path. Some large trees were knocked down, a number of large branches were broken down and a few shingles were lifted off the house. A two cubic yard metal dumpster was lifted and thrown about 100 feet into a nearby ditch. Peak winds were estimated at 95 mph.
June 2009Flash FloodMc Cauleyville$5,000Several fields and farm access roads were flooded in McCauleyville and Nordick townships. The U.S. Highway 75 bridge over Whiskey Creek closed with water running level with the bridge deck. The highway was also closed at the railroad bridge underpass due to long term flooding issues.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindCampbell$5,000Several large trees were snapped off.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindFoxhome$5,000Four inch diameter branches were blown down.
July 1999Thunderstorm WindRothsay$5,000A semi truck was overturned on Interstate 94.
June 2014Flash FloodBreckenridge$5,000no account filed
May 2012FloodRothsay$5,000no account filed
June 2009FloodWolverton$5,000no account filed
March 2009FloodWolverton$5,000no account filed
April 2009FloodWolverton$5,000no account filed
July 2008HailKent$5,000no account filed
May 1964Tornado (F3)not stated$2,500no account filed
August 2010Flash FloodNashua$2,000Multiple heavy downpours of 3 to 4 inches of rain produced localized flooding of farm fields and farm access roads near the Rabbit River drainage.
September 2014Flash FloodWolverton$1,000Several farm access roads and fields were flooded across Wolverton Township.
July 2010Flash FloodLawndale$1,000Roughly 1.50 inches of rain fell in 15 minutes.
July 2001Thunderstorm WindRothsay$1,000Several large branches were blown down.
September 2014Flash FloodLawndale$500Numerous fields and farm access roads were flooded across Atherton and Prairie View townships.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindWolverton$500Large branches were blown down.
July 2002Thunderstorm WindTenney$200Branches were blown down.
August 2002Thunderstorm WindWolverton$200Tree limbs were blown down.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindKent$200Several trees were downed by the strong wind.
August 2025HailCampbell-Hail was mostly pea size, with a few stones around quarter size. Time estimated by radar.
August 2025Thunderstorm WindWolverton-Wind gust measured on NDAWN site Wolverton 2E.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindWolverton-Measurement on 10 meter NDAWN sensor.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindMc Cauleyville-RWIS measured gust north of Kent along US Highway 75.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindFoxhome-Ndawn measured gust at Foxhome.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindMc Cauleyville-MN dot mesonet station MN135 Kent, MN.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindRothsay-Measurement on 10 meter NDAWN sensor.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindFoxhome-Combination of quarter sized hail and strong winds striped and destroyed cornfields. Time estimated from Radar.

Mines and quarries

5 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 5 workings inside this county. All of them still produce. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction4
Stone, Crushed/Broken1

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

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Winona Quarry and MillStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Foxhome Pit and MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Kost Bros PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Rasmussen PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Turner Pitsd MillSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer

Every populated place in the county

14

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.