Small Town Series

St. Joseph is a growing small town in Stearns County just west of St. Cloud with a population of 7,029 according to the most recent census. The town was originally plated in 1855 and named after the church which was established prior to the town.

St. Augusta is an incorporated city just south of St. Cloud in southeastern Stearns County. The town is quite large in that it encompasses approximately 30 square miles and has a population of 3,497 people according to the most recent census.

Fairhaven is an unincorporated town in southeastern Stearns County in Fairhaven Township. The town has a population of 358 people based on the most recent census. Fairhaven is located along County Roads 7 and 44.

In1856 in Central Minnesota a fort was built north of what is now the town of Kimball. That fort and settlement was called Maine Prairie. In 1886 the railroad went through a location south of Maine Prairie where present day Kimball is now located.

Every small town has a story and this is the story of Ronneby. Ronneby is an unincorporated community in Maywood Township in Benton County 2 miles east of Foley on Highway 23.

Avon is a small town in Central Minnesota in Stearns county nestled between numerous lakes, hills and industry. The small town of 1,396 people is the focus on this edition of WJON's Small Town series.

Royalton is a small town in Central Minnesota between Rice and Little Falls along Highway 10 and the Platte River residing in both Morrison and Benton Counties with a population of 1,281. Most of Royalton is in Morrison County.

Royalton is a town of 1,281 people in Central Minnesota north of Rice in both Morrison and Benton Counties along the Platte River and Highway 10.

Foley is county seat for Benton County in Central Minnesota which has a population of 2,603. Minnesota highways 23 and 25 intersect in Foley.

WJON's Small Town series takes us this time to Gilman, Minnesota. Gilman is a town of 224 people located north of Foley where Highway 25 and County Road 3 intersect in Benton County. I talked with Mary Ostby from the Benton County Historical Society, Gilman City Councilman Andy Schommer and former Gilman City Councilman and longtime Gilman resident Randy Spiczka.