In 1871, the first white settlers arrived in what would become Lucas Township in Lyon County. The settlers were R. H. Slater, Peder Eliason, E.T. Hamre, Hans Dahl, James Wardrop, and R.H. Price. The township was organized in July 1873 as Canton. The name changed to Lisbon, then Moe, and lastly to Lucas.

The first township meeting was held Aug. 5, 1873, and James Wardrop was elected chairman; O.H. Dahl and Joe Moe, supervisors; R.H. Price, clerk; N.T. Dahl, assessor and treasurer; T.S. Nordgaard and P.H. Dahl, justices; R.J. Benjamin and George Anderson, constables.

When the Willmar and Sioux Falls Railroad, a branch of the Great Northern Railway, was extended into Lyon County in 1888, communities were established including one in Lucas Township. It was officially announced in May 1888, that one of the stations on the new railroad would be located by Cottonwood Lake and the station would be called Cottonwood.

The town was platted in July, the rails were laid in August, and regular train service was begun on September 11, 1888. W.L. Barnett became the first station agent and he was also the first resident of the village. The well and water tower for the railroad were completed in September and the depot was built in October.

As the town progressed it became apparent that a post office was essential to the well-being of the community. Since 1872, the people in the area had received their mail from Vineland post office, the postmaster being Ole S. Reishus, whose office was located in his home on the Yellow Medicine River northwest of Cottonwood. Steps were taken to have the post office moved to the village and was renamed Cottonwood. In 1889, Chris H. Dahl took over the duties of postmaster. The first post office was in a small one story building next to Dahl Brothers’ store.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is a postcard picture that was taken on Main Street in Cottonwood in the early 1900’s. The view is looking west on Main Street.

Coming Home Days in Cottonwood is this weekend. The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a non-profit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 W Lyon St in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.