Heritage
of Sauk Centre
PALMER HOUSE National Registry of Historic Places Built in 1901 and located on the corner of Main Street and Sinclair Lewis Avenue. Still has the original tin ceilings and Venetian stained glass windows, and was only the second building in the state of Minnesota to have electricity installed. The public is welcome to browse through the lobby, enjoy the many historic photographs, dine in both the restaurant and pub area and reserve hotel rooms during their stay in Sauk Centre. ORIGINAL MAIN STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT National Registry of Historic Districts This 10-block district is considered the inspiration for Sinclair Lewis’ 1920 novel, “Main Street,” and the concept of “Main Street” as a symbol of American small towns. Comprises 74 contributing properties. THE RED SCHOOL HOUSE Located on the corner of Highway 71 and 3rd Street North. SINCLAIR LEWIS BOYHOOD HOME National Registry of Historic Places 810 Sinclair Lewis Avenue. Tours are available throughout the summer months. Harry Sinclair Lewis, Nobel Prize winner, grew up in this home, along with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. E.J. Lewis, and brothers, Fred and Claude. Call Sinclair Lewis Foundation at 320-352-5359 for tours.
430 South Main Street. The library was completed in 1904 in the Renaissance Revival style, with a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation. The library is located in the upper level, while the Sauk Centre History Museum occupies the lower level. The library hours are Monday and Friday, 12-4 pm, Tuesday and Thursday, 2-6 pm, and Wednesday, 10 am-2 pm History Museum hours: Monday and Friday noon to 4 pm, Tuesday and Thursday, 2-6 pm, Wednesday 10 am-2 pm or by appointment. Call 320-351-8777. During the summer months, the museum will be also be open on Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Stop in to see a comprehensive display of period fashion and militaria.
Photos courtesy of Sauk Centre History Museum
SAUK CENTRE HISTORY MUSEUM/ SINCLAIR LEWIS PUBLIC LIBRARY
STOCKADE MARKER A boulder on the corner of 7th Street and Birch Street designates the place where a stockade was built to protect settlers as the Sioux Indians, led by Chief Little Crow, fought a desperate struggle to regain their Minnesota lands during the Uprising of 1862. STEARNS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS Located on the corner of 12th and Ash Streets. Annual fairs began in 1901 and continue to present day. The grounds are also used during the summer for horse shows, auctions and community events. 1-877-396-6577 | www.star-pub.com
THE CEMETERIES Greenwood, Calvary, St. Paul’s and Oakland. Just east of town are located four cemeteries where many early pioneers, Civil War veterans and townspeople are buried, including Alexander Moore (founder of Sauk Centre), Frank Eddy, the first representative of Minnesota Congress to be born in the state, and Sinclair Lewis. SINCLAIR LEWIS PARK, BANDSHELL and FOUNTAIN Located at 826 Park Road. The most recent addition to the park is the mural in the bandshell done in 2017.
2022 Sauk Centre Resource & Visitors Guide | Page 23
