History of Nerstrand
In 1856, Norwegian immigrant Osmund Osmundson moved to Wheeling Township in Rice County, where he homesteaded at the present site of Nerstrand, building a house and farm. In 1877, he built a store on what became the right-of-way for railroad tracks on what is now Main Street. In 1885, the Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad (later the Chicago Great Western Railway) was constructed, extending from Lyle, Minnesota, in Mower County to St. Paul. Osmundson platted the town on the line, naming it after his hometown of Nedstrand in Norway. Osmundson later became a state legislator. Thorstein Veblen, who grew up just outside of the town, became a nationally renowned sociologist and economist. His farmstead is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nerstrand’s first city hall was built in 1897. A newer one was built in 1907. That building, as well as homes belonging to Osmund Osmundson and
another famous Nerstrander, Tosten Bonde, are also considered national historic landmarks.
Numbers to Know
Nerstrand Fire Department (non-emergencies) 507-332-8000 Nerstrand Elementary Charter School 507-333-6850 Post Office 507-334-7719 Sheriff’s Office 651-385-3155 Nerstrand Utilities & Services Cable TV, Internet Jaguar 800-250-1517 Northfield Wi-Fi 612-991-4260 Municipal Utilities 507-332-8000 Water & Sewer –billed by the City of Nerstrand Garbage/Refuse- Flom Disposal , 507-334-5767 (Friday pickup) Government City Hall: 221 Main St., Nerstrand 507-332-8000 Mayor: Niki Portillo City Clerk: Dana Jans, cityclerknerstrand@gmail.com City Council: Jennifer Schwab, Jennifer Valek, Monica Gernadt and Tom Voge
Page 33 | Kenyon Community Guide 2021
