Lake Crystal History

Lake Crystal History Official account of the LAKE CRYSTAL AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY!

Dedicated to sharing history, stories, videos, and photography of the City of Lake Crystal and surrounding area in Blue Earth County, Minnesota

Over the weekend we received a wonderful donation of items and scrapbooks from the Norman family! In one scrap book was ...
08/31/2026

Over the weekend we received a wonderful donation of items and scrapbooks from the Norman family! In one scrap book was this picture, mistakenly noted as the Mankato railroad depot, of the depot here in Lake Crystal. It is labeled as a group of men waiting to say goodbye to local veterans readying to go off to World War One, 1917-1918. Gatherings at the station like this were common during the First and Second World War, where our community would say goodbye or reunite with those who left to serve as they headed off or arrived by train. This group may have been a mix of family and friends with veterans, as Lee Ray Norman, marked on the right side with an x above his head, served during this war. Another Norman, Earl W., is marked with an x on the left. Can you identify anyone else?

We are in crunch time for the Scout Cabin, and we need your help! We have one month left and only need a few hundred dol...
08/17/2026

We are in crunch time for the Scout Cabin, and we need your help! We have one month left and only need a few hundred dollars more to reach the Historical Society’s minimum goal of $38,000 to save the 76-year-old building in Robinson Park. We need to reach this amount by September 21st!

We deeply appreciate all the donations we have received so far, as it has pushed us so close to this goal. If you are interested in donating, please stop by the museum when we are open Thursdays and Saturdays 12-4PM or during the Cruiz’ In Lake Crystal. Mail-in check or cash donations can be sent to our PO Box - 412 Lake Crystal, MN, 56055.

If you haven’t seen it, here is one of our displays on the history of the Scouts in town and a few items from the cabin and the group!

The dilapidated Chicago & Northwestern rail yard and train depot from the skies in the summer of 1973! What was once the...
08/13/2026

The dilapidated Chicago & Northwestern rail yard and train depot from the skies in the summer of 1973! What was once the transportation hub of the city, was then sitting abandoned and prepared to be moved. It closed in 1972, and would be sold to Elmer Rolloff Jr. of New Ulm. Two sides of the structure were razed for its relocation in June 1974.

When it was laid out by the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, & Omaha railroad in 1905, this yard contained the passenger depot, lunch room which later acted as a hotel, freight depot, water tower and pump house, coal and car repair sheds, and was 8 tracks wide.

This image shows how many buildings had been torn down and tracks torn up. The site today is even more empty, overgrown with trees and one main railroad track with a few side tracks. This is another aerial image donated by MinnStar bank!

On these hot summer days we really have to admire our ancestors wearing such heavy clothes back in the day! Check out th...
08/12/2026

On these hot summer days we really have to admire our ancestors wearing such heavy clothes back in the day! Check out this group on Humphrey Street in their elaborate dresses and suits. They are posed in front of Dan Owens Drygoods store in the Marston & Humphrey building, built in 1888. Shown on the left in front of his store is Dan Owens. Others in the group are Ohlena Bornes, Isabella Price, Esther Osten, May Webb, Christopher C. Jones, Hugh Jones (Michigan), and Nettie Gilmore Sherwin.

Next door, on the right, was Bartlett's Jewelry store. Upstairs over the store was the office of Merritt Nutt, land and real estate dealer, D. A. Reed, attorney, and the Union Hall, popular gathering place for Lake Crystal residents and the scene of many social functions, home-talent plays, and shows. Tokens from this store can be found in stores, for sale online, and in our museum. Also in our collection are four large stones from this building, saved when it was demolished in 1997.

(📸 Lake Crystal Tribune, via Crystal Study Club Scrapbook)

Cooperating in the P.T.A.-sponsored dental program at the Lake Crystal Public Schools, some of Lake Crystals most famous...
08/11/2026

Cooperating in the P.T.A.-sponsored dental program at the Lake Crystal Public Schools, some of Lake Crystals most famous dentists were busy back in 1950, applying sodium fluoride to the teeth of youngsters in the second, fifth and eighth grades. Shown here is Dr. W. H. James making the topical application of sodium fluoride to the teeth of a fifth grade student. In the background is Dr. D. N. Derksen, who was also on duty, and Mrs. Ronald Queen, a volunteer helper. Dr. Maynard R. James is the other Lake Crystal dentist cooperating in the program. The program was under the supervision of Miss Vernette Priebe, dental hygenist of the state health department, with offices at Mankato. This photo made the front page of the Lake Crystal Tribune on November 9th, 1950!

(📸 John T. Wiger)

08/06/2026

A then and now comparison of historic sites in Lake Crystal using photos and postcards from the Historical Society’s archives!

Check out this topographic map of Lake Crystal that was created using LiDAR imagery! While the colors exaggerate it, its...
08/05/2026

Check out this topographic map of Lake Crystal that was created using LiDAR imagery! While the colors exaggerate it, its neat to see the changes in geography. Although in comparison to the nearby Minnesota River Valley, Lake Crystal is very flat, with in-town elevation only differing between about 960 and 1000 feet above sea level.

LiDAR, or Light Detection And Ranging, maps can be used for historical and archaeological research, such as identifying old pioneer forts. The most prominent areas you can spot are more recent man-made geographical changes. From landfill like the cemetery peninsula, to the raised roadways like Highway 60. Railroads, like the current track dug into the hill near the Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant, or the former tracked of the line that lead to Garden City.

(📸 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

Our Farmfest in Lake Crystal belt buckle collection is now complete! We have all the years it was in town, 1976 and 1982...
08/01/2026

Our Farmfest in Lake Crystal belt buckle collection is now complete! We have all the years it was in town, 1976 and 1982 to 1989. Special thanks to Historical Society member Gary Sandstrom!

Lake Crystal from the skies in the summer of 1973! Just one from a set of aerial pictures kindly donated by MinnStar ban...
07/31/2026

Lake Crystal from the skies in the summer of 1973! Just one from a set of aerial pictures kindly donated by MinnStar bank, this has the best view of the center of town. We’ve said it before, but aerial images are so enjoyable because they are like a game of I Spy. Look how many historic brick buildings are still standing on Humphrey Street. Did you notice the present MinnStar bank is under construction? The old high schools metal shop additions were brand new at the time. What else can you spot?

Address

102 West Humphrey Street
Lake Crystal, MN
56055

Opening Hours

Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm

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