Counties

The Minnesota Historical Election Archive hosts data about 94 counties in Minnesota.

Choose a county below to view more details about legislative districts and candidates from that county.

County	Summary
Aitkin County	Aitkin County is located in Northeastern Minnesota and was established on May 23, 1857 (as "Aiken" County) by the Territorial Legislature. The county was named for William Aitkin, a clerk for the American Fur Company who married Stripped Cloud in 1818, a member of a prominent Ojibwa family. The city of Aitkin is the county seat. Source: Aitkin County website.
Andy Johnson County	Andy Johnson is a defunct county that was located in Northwestern Minnesota and was established in March 1863 by the State Legislature. In March 1863, during the Fifth Legislature, an act was passed renaming Toombs County to Andy Johnson County. Andy Johnson County was named after Tennesseee Military Governor (and later U.S. Vice President and President) Andrew Johnson. Sources: The Weekly Pioneer and Democrat, March 13, 1863 (p. 8). Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Anoka County	Anoka County is located in east central Minnesota and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. The county was named from the Dakota word “anokatanhan” (on both sides of the river) and the Ojibwa word “onokay” (working waters). The city of Anoka is the county seat. Source: Anoka County website.
Becker County	Becker County is located in northwestern Minnesota and was established on March 18, 1858 by the Territorial Legislature. The county was named after George L. Becker, a St. Paul Alderman (1854-1856), Mayor of St. Paul (1856), and State Senator (SD 01, 1868-1872). Becker was also a candidate in 1857 for one of an expected three at-large U.S. House seats and placed third, but when Minnesota received only two seats in 1858, the top three finishers drew lots and Becker came up short. Detroit Lakes is the county seat. Source: Becker County website.
Beltrami County	Beltrami County is located in northern Minnesota and was established on February 28, 1866 by the State Legislature and was organized in 1896. The county was named after Italian Giacomo Beltrami who explored the area. Portions of Beltrami County were used to establish neighboring Roseau County in 1895, Clearwater County in 1902, and Lake of the Woods County in 1923. Bemidji became the county seat on May 17, 1897. Source: Beltrami County website.
Benton County	Benton County is located in central Minnesota and was established on October 27, 1849 by the Territorial Legislature. It was one of the nine original counties of Minnesota and one of the first three to be organized. It was named after Missouri Democratic U.S. Senator Thomas Hart Benton. Foley is the county seat. Source: Benton County website.
Big Stone County	Big Stone County is located in west central Minnesota along the South Dakota border and was established on February 20, 1862 by the State Legislature. Big Stone is named from Big Stone Lake and is translated from a Dakota term for the granite quarries at Big Stone Lake. Big Stone was not officially organized until February 8, 1881. Ortonville is the county seat. Source: Big Stone County website. Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
Blue Earth County	Blue Earth County is located in south central Minnesota and was established on March 5, 1853 by the Territorial Legislature after the ratification of the Treaties of Traverse des Sioux and Mendota ended ownership by Native American tribes. Blue Earth is named from "Mahkato," the Dakota word for "bluish-green earth." Mankato is the county seat. Source: Blue Earth County website.
Breckinridge County	Breckinridge County is a defunct county that was located in Northwestern Minnesota along the North Dakota border and was established in 1860 by the State Legislature. Breckinridge County was named for Kentucky Democrat and U.S. Vice President (1857-1861) John C. Breckinridge. The county name was changed to Clay County during the Fourth Legislature on March 8, 1862. Sources: Clay County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Brown County	Brown County is located in south central Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Brown County is named for prominent trader, speculator, newspaper publisher and editor, and Democratic Territorial Council Representative Joseph R. Brown (HD 06, 1854-1856; HD 10, 1857). New Ulm is the county seat. Source: Brown County website.
Buchanan County	Buchanan County is a defunct county that was located in Northeastern Minnesota and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Buchanan County became part of Pine County in 1862 after Pine County voters approved a March 1861 act attaching the county to Pine. Buchanan County was named after Democratic President James Buchanan (1857-1861). Fortuna was the county seat. Sources: Minnesota History Bulletin, Volume IV, 1921-1922"Some Changes In Local Boundaries and Names In Minnesota," (p. 242). White Bear Lake Press, "Speculation, politics, fraud and controversy: The short, colorful history of ‘Buchanan County,'" January 15, 2015.
Carlton County	Carlton County is located in northeastern Minnesota and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Carlton is named for Reuben B. Carlton, a farmer and early settler of Fond du Lac who was a blacksmith for the Ojibwe. Carlton served in the 1st State Legislature (SD 26, 1857-1859). The city of Carlton is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Carver County	Carver County is located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Carver County is named for 18th Century explorer Jonathan Carver who wrote about his travels in Minnesota in his book "Travels Through the Interior Parts of North America in the Years 1766, 1767, 1768." Chaska in the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Cass County	Cass County is located in North Central Minnesota and was established on September 1, 1851 by the Territorial Legislature. Cass County is named for Brigadier General and explorer Lewis Cass who also served as Michigan Territorial Governor (1813-1831), U.S. Secretary of War (1831-1836), U.S. Minister to France (1836-1842), Michigan U.S. Senator (1845-1848), 1849-1857), and U.S. Secretary of State (1857-1860). Walker is the county seat. Sources: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Chippewa County	Chippewa County is located in West Central Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1862 by the State Legislature. Chippewa County is named for the Chippewa (Ojibwe) Native American Tribe. Montevideo is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Chisago County	Chisago County is located in East Central Minnesota along the Wisconsin border and was established on September 1, 1851 by the Territorial Legislature. Chisago County is named for its largest lake Ki-Chi-Saga, which means 'fair and lovely lakes' in Ojibwe. Center City has been the county seat since 1875 following Taylors Falls (1852-1863) and Chisago City (1863-1875). Source: Chisago County website.
Clay County	Clay County is located in Northwestern Minnesota along the North Dakota border and was established on March 8, 1862 by the State Legislature. Clay County was organized on February 27, 1872. Clay County was previously known as Breckinridge County, named for Kentucky Democrat and U.S. Vice President (1857-1861) John C. Breckinridge. Clay County is named for Kentucky U.S. Senator 1806-1807, 1810-1811, 1831-1842, 1849-1852), Kentucky U.S. Representative (1811-1814, 1815-1821, 1823-1825), Speaker of the House (1811-1814, 1815-1820, 1823-1825), and U.S. Secretary of State (1825-1829) Henry Clay. Moorhead is the county seat. Sources: Clay County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Clearwater County	Clearwater County is located in Northern Minnesota and was established on December 20, 1902 by the State Legislature. The area was previously part of Beltrami County. Clearwater County is named after the county's Clearwater Lake and Clearwater River. Bagley is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Cook County	Cook County is located at the far Northeastern tip of Minnesota along the Ontario border and was established on March 9, 1874 by the State Legislature. Cook County was named for Major Michael Cook, a carpenter from Faribault who served in the State Senate during the first four legislatures (SD 05, 1857-1861, SD 08, 1861-1863) and was killed at the Battle of Nashville in 1864 during the Civil War. Grand Marais is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Cottonwood County	Cottonwood County is located in Southwestern Minnesota and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. It was organized on July 29, 1870. Cottonwood County is named after the Cottonwood River which has many cottonwood trees alongside it. Windom is the county seat. Sources: Cottonwood County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Crow Wing County	Crow Wing County is located in Central Minnesota and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. It was organized on March 3, 1870. Crow Wing County is named after the Crow Wing River. Brainerd is the county seat. Source: Crow Wing County website.
Dakota County	Dakota County is a Southeastern Metropolitan County along the Wisconsin border and was established on October 27, 1849 by the Territorial Legislature as one of the original nine counties. Dakota County is named after the Dakota people for whom Dakota means "alliance" or "league." Hastings has been the county seat since 1857 following Kaposia (1853-1854) and Mendota (1854-1857). Sources: Dakota County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Dodge County	Dodge County is located in Southeastern Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Dodge County is named for Democratic Wisconsin Territorial Governor (1836-1841, 1845-1848), U.S. House Delegate (1841-1845), and U.S. Senator (1848-1857) Henry Dodge. Mantorville is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Douglas County	Douglas County is located in West Central Minnesota and was established on March 8, 1858 by the Territorial Legislature. Douglas County is named after Illinois Democratic Secretary of State (1840-1841), State Supreme Court Associate Justice (1841-1843), U.S. Representative (CD 05, 1843-1847), and U.S. Senator (1847-1861) Stephen Douglas. Alexandria is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Faribault County	Faribault County is located in South Central Minnesota along the Iowa border and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Faribault County is named after Jean Baptiste Faribault who came to Minnesota in 1803 and farmed and traded with the Dakota. Blue Earth is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Fillmore County	Fillmore County is located in Southeastern Minnesota along the Iowa border and was established on March 5, 1853 by the Territorial Legislature. Fillmore County is named after New York U.S. Representative (CD 32, 1833-1835, 1837-1843), Comptroller (1848-1849), U.S. Vice President (1849-1850), and President (1850-1853) Millard Fillmore. Spring Valley is the county seat. Source: Fillmore County website.
Freeborn County	Freeborn County is located in South Central Minnesota along the Iowa border and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Freeborn County is named after Democratic Territorial Councilman (4th District, 1853-1857) William Freeborn. Albert Lea is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Goodhue County	Goodhue County is located in Southeastern Minnesota along the Wisconsin border and was established on March 5, 1853 by the Territorial Legislature. Goodhue County was named after James Goodhue, founder of the Minnesota Pioneer newspaper and the first printer-editor in the state. Red Wing is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Grant County	Grant County is located in West Central Minnesota and was established on March 6, 1868 by the State Legislature. Grant County is named after General Ulysses S. Grant who would be elected president (1869-1877) later that year. Elbow Lake is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Hennepin County	Hennepin County is located in East Central Minnesota and was established on March 6, 1852 by the Territorial Legislature. Hennepin County is named after Franciscan missionary and explorer Louis Hennepin who traveled the area in the late 17th Century. Minneapolis is the county seat. Sources: Hennepin County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Houston County	Houston County is located in the Southeastern corner of Minnesota along the Iowa and Wisconsin borders and was established on February 23, 1854 by the Territorial Legislature. Houston County is name after Tennessee U.S. Representative (CD 07, 1823-1827), Tennessee Governor (1827-1829), Texas President (1836-1838, 1841-1844), Texas U.S. Senator (1846-1859), and Texas Governor (1859-1861) Sam Houston. Caledonia is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Hubbard County	Hubbard County is located in North Central Minnesota and was established on February 26, 1883 by the State Legislature. Hubbard County was named for Republican State Senator (SD 1872-1876) and Governor (1882-1887) Brigadier General Frederick Hubbard. Park Rapids is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Isanti County	Isanti County is located in East Central Minnesota and was established on February 13, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Isanti County is named from a division of the Dakota alliance known as the Izatys. Cambridge is the county seat. Sources: Isanti County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Itasca County	Itasca County is located in North Central Minnesota and was established on October 27, 1849 by the Territorial Legislature as one of the original nine counties. Itasca County is named from the Latin words "truth" and "head." The Mississippi River flows into Itasca County, originating from its source Lake Itasca westward in Clearwater County. Grand Rapids is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Jackson County	Jackson County is located in Southwestern Minnesota along the Iowa border and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Jackson County is said to be named after either Democratic Territorial Representative Henry Jackson (HD 03, 1849-1850) or U.S. President Andrew Jackson (1829-1837). Jackson is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Kanabec County	Kanabec County is located in East Central Minnesota and was established on March 13, 1858 by the Territorial Legislature. Kanabec County was named by state legislator William Folsom of Taylors Falls after the Ojibwe word for "snake," since the Snake River winds north to south through the county. Mora is the county seat. Sources: Kanabec History Center website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Kandiyohi County	Kandiyohi County is located in Central Minnesota and was established on March 20, 1858 by the Territorial Legislature. Kanabec County was named from the Dakota word meaning "where the buffalo fish come" as fish swim upstream to spawn in nearby rivers. Kandiyohi merged with Monongalia County in 1870. Willmar is the county seat. Sources: Kahdiyohi County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Kittson County	Kittson County is located in the Northwest corner of Minnesota along the North Dakota and Manitoba borders and was established on March 9, 1878 by the State Legislature. The county was organized on February 25, 1879. Kittson was part of Pembina County prior to its dissolvement and included a western part of Roseau County prior to its establishment in 1894. Kittson County was named after pioneer fur trader and railroad developer Norman Kittson. Hallock is the county seat. Sources: Northwest Regional Development Commission's Visit Northwest Minnesota website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Koochiching County	Koochiching County is located in North Central Minnesota along the Ontario border and was established on December 19, 1906 by the State Legislature. The county separated from Itasca County at that time. Koochiching County is named from the Ojibwe word meaning "neighbor lake and river" referring to the county's Rainy Lake and Rainy River. International Falls is the county seat. Sources: Koochiching County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Lac qui Parle County	Lac qui Parle County is located in West Central Minnesota along the South Dakota border and was established on March 6, 1871 by the State Legislature. Lac qui Parle County is taken from the French translation of the Dakota words meaning "the lake that speaks." Madison is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Lake County	Lake County is located in Northeastern Minnesota on the Ontario border and was established on March 1, 1856 by the Territorial Legislature. Lake County is named for Lake Superior which borders the county to the South. Two Harbors is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Lake of the Woods County	Lake of the Woods is located at the tip of North Central Minnesota bordering Manitoba and Ontario and was established on January 1, 1923 by the State Legislature. The county separated from Beltrami County. Lake of the Woods is named after a lake of the same name within the county which was so coined "Lac aux Iles" (Lake of the Islands) by French explorer Jacques De Noyon. Baudette is the county seat. Sourcses: Lake of the Woods County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Le Sueur County	Le Sueur is located in South Central Minnesota and was established on March 5, 1853 by the Territorial Legislature. The county was named for French explorer and trader Pierre Charles Le Sueur who first came to Minnesota in the late 17th Century and travelled St. Peter's River (Minnesota River). Le Center is the county seat. Source: Le Sueur County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Lincoln County	Lincoln County is located in Southwestern Minnesota along the South Dakota border and was established on March 6, 1873 by the State Legislature. The county was created from the western part of Lyon County. Lincoln County is named after Republican U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) following three previous attempts to so honor him in the state in 1861, 1866, and 1870. Ivanhoe is the county seat. Source: Lincoln County website.
Lyon County	Lyon County is located in Southwestern Minnesota and was established by two acts of the State Legislature on March 6, 1868 and March 2, 1869. Lyon County is named after Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon who was the first Union Army general killed in the U.S. Civil War. Marshall is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Mahnomen County	Mahnomen County is located in Northwest Minnesota and was established on December 27, 1906 by the State Legislature. The name for Mahnomen County comes from, 'manoomin,' the Ojibwe word for wild rice ('mano' in Objibwe means 'spirit'). Mahnomen is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Manomin County	Manomin County is a defunct county that was located in East Central Minnesota and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. The area had previously been a part of Ramsey County until prominent farmer and Territorial Representative Abram Fridley succeeded in getting the legislature to carve out a 16-square mile section as an independent county. Manomin, also known as "Fridley's farm," was one of the smallest counties in the nation. The name for Manomin County comes from, 'manoomin,' the Objibwe word for wild rice ('mano' in Objibwe means 'spirit'). Manomin County was absorbed by Anoka County after an amendment to Article 11 of the state constitution passed in the November 2, 1869 election with 88.9 percent support. Manomin (now named Fridley) was the county seat. Sources: Winona Daily News, September 30, 1958 (p. 6). Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Marshall County	Marshall County is located in Northwest Minnesota along the North Dakota border and was established on February 25, 1879 by the State Legislature. Marshall County was named for Republican Governor (1866-1870) and Railroad Commissioner (1876-1882) William Marshall. Warren is the county seat. Source: Marshall County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Martin County	Martin County is located in South Central Minnesota along the Iowa border and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Martin County is named for either an early settler from Connecticut named Henry Martin or Democratic Wisconsin U.S. Delegate Morgan Lewis Martin (1845-1847) who introduced the act to organize the Territory of Minnesota. Source: Martin County website.
McLeod County	McLeod County is located in South Central Minnesota and was established on March 1, 1856 by the Territorial Legislature. McLeod County is named after fur trader and Territorial Council member (1849-1853) Martin McLeod. Glencoe is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Meeker County	Meeker County is located in Central Minnesota and was established on February 23, 1856 by the Territorial Legislature. Meeker County is named after Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court Associate Justice (1849-1853) Bradley B. (B.B.) Meeker. Litchfield is the county seat. Sources: Meeker County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Mille Lacs County	Mille Lacs County is located in East Central Minnesota and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Mille Lacs County is named for Mille Lacs Lake, from the French for "thousand lakes." Milaca is the county seat. Sources: Mille Lacs County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Monongalia County	Monongalia County is a defunct county that was located in West Central Minnesota and was established in March 1858 by the Territorial Legislature. Monongalia County was absorbed by Kandiyohi County in January 1871 following the passage of an act by the State Legislature on March 7, 1870 and the approval by voters of Monongalia County by a 104 majority on the November 8, 1870 ballot. Monongalia County was named after residents of the county of the same name in Virginia (now West Virginia) came to the region. Mongonalia comes from the Unami word "Monongahela" meaning "river of high or crumbling banks." Sources: The Weekly Pioneer and Democrat, April 8, 1858 (p. 6). The St. Cloud Journal, November 17, 1870 (p. 4). Kandiyohi County website.
Morrison County	Morrison County is located in Central Minnesota and was established on February 25, 1856 by the Territorial Legislature. Morrison County is named for fur trading brothers William Morrison and Allan Morrison, who also served as a Territorial Representative (HD 06, 1849-1850). Sources: Morrison County Historical Society website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Mower County	Mower County is located in Southeastern Minnesota along the Iowa border and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Mower County was named for carpenter, millwright, and lumberman John E. Mower who also served in the Territorial Council (District 1, 1854-1856) and State House (HD 22, 1875-1876). Austin is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Murray County	Murray County is located in Southwestern Minnesota and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Murray County is named for St. Paul attorney William Pitt Murray who served in the Territorial House, on the Territorial Council, the State House, and the State Senate as well as Ramsey County Attorney, Ramsey County Commissioner, and St. Paul City Council member. Slayton is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Nicollet County	Nicollet County is located in South Central Minnesota and was established on March 5, 1853 by the Territorial Legislature. Nicollet County was named after French explorer Joseph Nicolas Nicollet who published a map of the area in 1843. Saint Peter is the county seat. Sources: Nicollet County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Nobles County	Nobles County is located in Southwestern Minnesota along the Iowa border and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Nobles County is named after St. Paul machinist and wagonmaker William H. Nobles, who also served in the Territorial House (HD 06, 1854-1855; HD 02, 1856-1857) and on the St. Paul City Council (1855-1856). Worthington is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Norman County	Norman County is located in Northwestern Minnesota along the North Dakota border and was established on February 17, 1881 by the State Legislature. It was created from a portion of Polk County. Norman County is named for the large proportion of Normans (Norwegians) who comprised the county at the time. Ada is the county seat. Sources: Norman County Historical Society website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Olmsted County	Olmsted County is located in Southeastern Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Olmsted County is named for St. Paul newspaper owner and Mayor (1854) David Olmsted. Rochester is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Otter Tail County	Otter Tail County is located in West Central Minnesota and was established on March 18, 1858 by the Territorial Legislature. Otter Tail County is named after Otter Tail Lake and Otter Tail River, the names for which came from the Ojibwe words for the sand bar shaped like the tail of an otter where the river enters the lake. Fergus Falls is the county seat. Sources: Otter Tail County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Pembina County	Pembina County is a defunct county that was located in the Northwest corner of Minnesota along the North Dakota and Manitoba borders and was established on October 27, 1849 by the Territorial Legislature as one of the original nine counties. Pembina is named for the Ojibwe word for red berries that grow in the area. Pembina was renamed Kittson County by the State Legislature on March 9, 1878. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Pennington County	Pennington County is located in Northwestern Minnesota and was established on November 23, 1910 by the State Legislature. Pennington County is named after Soo Line Railroad president Edmund Pennington. Thief River Falls is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Pine County	Pine County is located in Northeast Minnesota along the Wisconsin border and was established on March 1, 1856 by the Territorial Legislature. Pine County is named for the several bodies of water named 'pine' in the county. Pine City is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Pipestone County	Pipestone is located in Southwestern Minnesota along the South Dakota border and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Pipestone County is named for its red pipestone from which pipes were made by Native Americans. Pipestone is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Polk County	Polk County is located in Northwestern Minnesota along the North Dakota border and was established on July 20, 1858 by the State Legislature. The county was created from the now defunct Pembina County. Polk County is named for President James K. Polk (1845-1849) who signed the Organic Act organizing the Minnesota Territory on March 3, 1849. Crookston is the county seat. Sources: Polk County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Pope County	Pope County is located in West Central Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1862 by the State Legislature. Pope County was named after military surveyor General John Pope who commanded the U.S. Army's Department of the Northwest headquartered in St. Paul. Glenwood is the county seat. Sources: Pope County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Ramsey County	Ramsey County is located in East Central Minnesota and was established on October 27, 1849 by the Territorial Legislature as one of the original nine counties. Ramsey County is named after Minnesota Territorial Governor (1849-1853), St. Paul Mayor (1855), Governor (1860-1863), and U.S. Senator (1863-1875) Alexander Ramsey. St. Paul is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Red Lake County	Red Lake County is located in Northwestern Minnesota and was established on December 24, 1896 by the State Legislature. Red Lake County is named after Red Lake and the Red Lake River; Red Lake was named by the Ojibwe for its wine-like color at sunset. Red Lake Falls is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Redwood County	Redwood County is located in Southeastern Minnesota and was established on February 6, 1862 by the State Legislature. Redwood County is named for the county's cedar and willow trees. Redwood Falls is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Renville County	Renville County is located in South Central Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Renville County is named for guide, interpreter, and trading post operator Joseph Renville, whose mother was a Dakotah. Olivia is the county seat. Sources: Renville County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Rice County	Rice County is located in Southeastern Minnesota and was established on March 5, 1853 by the Territorial Legislature. Rice County is named for Democratic U.S. Delegate (1853-1857) and U.S. Senator (1858-1863) Henry Rice. Faribault is the county seat. Source: Rice County website.
Rock County	Rock County is located in the Southwest corner of Minnesota along the Iowa and South Dakota borders and was established on May 23, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Rock County is named for its prominent rock deposits. Luverne is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Roseau County	Roseau County is located in Northwest Minnesota along the Manitoba border and was established on December 31, 1894 by the State Legislature. The county was formed from the eastern part of Kittson County and on February 11, 1896 Roseau also annexed a portion of Beltrami County. Roseau County is named for Roseau Lake and the Roseau River which were French translation of Ojibwe for the reeds in the bodies of water. Roseau is the county seat. Sources: Roseau County Historical Society website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Saint Louis County	Saint Louis County is located in Northeast Minnesota along the Ontario border and was established on February 20, 1855 (as Doty County, changing its name to Newton County on March 3, 1855). On March 1, 1856, Newton County was renamed Saint Louis County. Saint Louis County is named for the Saint Louis River which flows through the southeast corner of the county into Lake Superior. Duluth is the county seat. Sources: Saint Louis County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Scott County	Scott County is located in the Southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area and was established on March 5, 1853 by the Territorial Legislature. Scott County is named for General Winfield Scott who served as the commanding general of the U.S. Army from 1841 to 1861 and was the Whig presidential nominee in 1852. Shakopee is the county seat. Sources: Scott County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Sherburne County	Sherburne County is located in the Northern Twin Cities metropolitan area and was established on February 25, 1856 by the Territorial Legislature. Sherburne County is named for Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court Associate Justice (1853-1857) Moses Sherburne. Elk River is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Sibley County	Sibley County is located in South Central Minnesota and was established on March 5, 1853 by the Territorial Legislature. Sibley County is named for Democratic Wisconsin U.S. Delegate (1848-1849), Minnesota U.S. Delegate (1849-1853), and Minnesota Governor (1858-1860) Henry Sibley. Gaylord is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Stearns County	Stearns County is located in Central Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. The county was intended to be named 'Stevens' after Washington Territorial Governor (1853-1857) Isaac Stevens but a legislative clerical error named it 'Stearns' instead after Territorial Council member (1854-1856) Charles Stearns. Saint Cloud is the county seat. Source: Stearns County website.
Steele County	Steele County is located in Southeastern Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Steele County is named after governmental contractor Franklin Steele of Saint Anthony. Owatonna is the county seat. Source: Steele County website.
Stevens County	Stevens County is located in West Central Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1862 by the State Legislature. Stevens County was named for former Washington Territorial Governor (1853-1857) and Washington U.S. Delegate (1857-1861) Isaac Stevens who commanded a surveying expedition. Stearns County was intended to be named after Stevens in 1855 but a clerical error changed it to Stearns instead. Morris is the county seat. Sources: Stevens County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Swift County	Swift is located in West Central Minnesota and was established on February 18, 1870 by the State Legislature. Swift County is named for Republican Lieutenant Governor (1863) and Governor (1863-1864) Henry Swift. Benson is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Todd County	Todd County is located in Central Minnesota and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Todd County is named after John Blair Smith Todd who was the first commander at Fort Ripley (a U.S. Army outpost then in the county) from 1849 to 1856 and who later served as a Dakota Territory U.S. Delegate (1861-1863, 1864-1865). Long Prairie is the county seat. Sources: Todd County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Toombs County	Toombs County is a defunct county that was located in Northwestern Minnesota and was established on March 8, 1858 by the Territorial Legislature. The area was previously part of Pembina County. Toombs County was named after Georgia U.S. Senator Robert Toombs (1853-1861) who later became Secretary of State for the Confederacy. In March 1863, during the Fifth Legislature, an act was passed changing the name of Toombs County to Andy Johnson County. Andrew Johnson was the Tennesseee Military Governor and later U.S. Vice President and President. Sources: The Weekly Pioneer and Democrat, March 13, 1863 (p. 8). Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Traverse County	Traverse County is located in West Central Minnesota along the South Dakota border and was established on February 20, 1862 by the State Legislature. Traverse County is named after Lake Traverse from the Dakota word meaning "lake lying crosswise." Wheaton is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Wabasha County	Wabasha County is located in Southeastern Minnesota along the Wisconsin border and was established on October 27, 1849 by the Territorial Legislature as one of the original nine counties. Wabasha is named for Sioux Nation chief Wa-pa-shaw. Wabasha is the county seat. Sources: City of Wabasha website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Wadena County	Wadena County is located in North Central Minnesota and was established on June 11, 1858 by the State Legislature. Wadena County is named after a trading post from an Ojibwe word meaning "a little round hill." Wadena is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Waseca County	Waseca County is located in South Central Minnesota and was established on February 27, 1857 by the Territorial Legislature. Waseca County is named for the Dakota word meaning "rich" for the fertile soil in the county. Waseca is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Washington County	Washington County is located in East Central Minnesota along the Wisconsin border and was established on October 27, 1849 by the Territorial Legislature as one of the original nine counties. Washington County is named for U.S. President (1789-1797) George Washington. Stillwater is the county seat. Sources: Washington County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Watonwan County	Watonwan County is located in South Central Minnesota and was established on February 25, 1860. Watonwan County is taken from the Dakota word meaning "where fish bait abounds." Saint James is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Wilkin County	Wilkin County is located in West Central Minnesota along the North Dakota border and was established on March 6, 1868 by the State Legislature following previous legislative namings of Toombs County in March 1858 (after Georgia U.S. Senator Robert Toombs) and Andy Johnson County in March 1863 (after Tennessee Military Governor and later U.S. President Andrew Johnson). Wilkin County was named for attorney and Minnesota U.S. Marshal Colonel Alexander Wilkin who died in the Civil War. Breckenridge is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Winona County	Winona County is located in Southeastern Minnesota along the Wisconsin border and was established on February 23, 1854 by the Territorial Legislature. Winona County is named after a female cousin of the Dakota chief Wabasha. Winona is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Wright County	Wright County is located in the West Twin Cities metropolitan area and was established on February 20, 1855 by the Territorial Legislature. Wright County is named for New York Democratic U.S. Senator (1833-1844) and Governor (1845-1846) Silas Wright who was a friend of the delegation tasked to name the county. Buffalo is the county seat. Source: Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).
Yellow Medicine County	Yellow Medicine County is located in Southwestern Minnesota along the South Dakota border and was established on March 6, 1871 by the State Legislature. The area was previously part of Redwood County. Yellow Medicine County is named for the Yellow Medicine River which flows through the eastern part of the county. The name comes from the Dakota word "Pejuhatazizi" referring to the long, yellow grasses the Dakota used for medicinal purposes. Yellow Medicine City was the county seat from 1872 to 1874. Granite Falls is now the county seat. Sources: Yellow Medicine County website. Minnesota Geographic Names, by Warren Upham (Minnesota Historical Society, 1969).