Sheryl Bakewell 320-760-5616

Glenwood, MN Area Guide

Glenwood is a city in and the county seat of Pope County, Minnesota that serves as a shopping center in a widely diversified farming area. As of the 2000 census, Glenwood had a population of 2,594. The Glenwood Development Corporation promotes new business development in the community and many new plants and businesses have located in Glenwood, such as the nationally known businesses of American Solutions for Business, Healthland, and Watkins Airport Support Products.

History

Glenwood Township, on the southeast side of Lake Minnewaska, was named for the great glen or valley occupied by this lake and for the woods around its shores, contrasted with the prairies that form the far greater part of this county. The city of Glenwood, the county seat at the northeast end of the lake, in Glenwood and Minnewaska Townships, was first settled in 1856 and was first platted in part on September 26, 1866, by Kirk J. Kinney and Alfred W. Lathrop on land owned by Kinney, who named it for his home in New York; it was incorporated as a village on February 23, 1881, and as a city in 1912. The first building was the Kinney and Lathrop store, where Lathrop served as first postmaster when the post office was established in 1867; the Little Falls branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad came in 1882 and the Soo Line in 1886. Glenwood is set amid rolling hills on the eastern shore of Lake Minnewaska and has been the county seat of Pope County since 1866. For this and more information about Glenwood’s rich history, please click here: http://www.lakesnwoods.com/Glenwood.htm

Parks and Recreation

Barsness Park
The Barsness Park system is home to a wide variety of amenities to meet all of your parks and recreational needs. With meandering trails to picnic tables and two buildings for rent, the Barsness Park system is a wonderful place to spend time by yourself enjoying nature or being with the ones you love. For more information, please contact the Glenwood City Offices at (320) 634-5433.

Events

Kid Day/Take A Kid Fishing/Bike Rodeo
This June, come and be a part of the 12th Annual Take A Kid Fishing Day and Bike Rodeo.

Hospice Motorcycle Weekend
Held annually in June, the Pope County Hospice Motorcycle Weekend is celebrating its 12th year. Every year the Pope County Hospice Motorcycle Weekend is held with the theme: Ridin’ for A Cause. For more information, please visit: http://www.pchmotorcycleweekend.org

Traditional Fourth of July in Terrace
Come and celebrate America’s Independence Day the way it ought to be celebrated at the Traditional Fourth of July in Terrace. For more information, please visit: http://www.terracemill.org/events.html

Waterama Celebration
The annual Waterama Celebration hosts numerous events, allowing neighbors and family to bond. Please visit the event’s official website for more information. http://www.waterama.org/

Lake Minnewaska Triathlon
Held in August, the Lake Minnewaska Triathlon is one event you shouldn’t miss! Please click here to visit the official Lake Minneswaka Triathlon home page. www.minnewaskatriathlon.com

Tour de Prairie Lake Bikes Ride
Held annually in August, the Tour de Prairie Lake Bike Ride wonderful tour of Pope County for anyone who loves to bicycle and enjoy the outdoors. The ride offers the wonderful chance to view beautiful scenery and the chance to ride for a cause. All proceeds go towards the building of affordable housing through the work of the Habitat for Humanity of Prairie Lakes, Pope County Chapter. Riders can choose to do 20, 40 or 70 mile routes that all start and end in Glenwood at the City Park by Lakeside Ballroom. Please visit the event’s official website for more details. http://www.habitatprairielakes.org/

Chamber Cup Golf Tourney
The Chamber Cup Golf Tourney is held in September. Discover more about this wonderful event by contacting the Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at: (866) 634-3636.

Fiddlers’ Contest at Terrace
Please contact the Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to learn more about the Fiddlers’ Contest at Terrace. (866) 634-3636

Community Halloween Party
The 5th Annual Community Halloween Party is held at Central Square. The event is free and intended for Pope County families with young children to play various games, dig into tasty treats and take part in a cute and clever costume contest. Please visit the official event website for more information. http://glenwoodlakesarea.org/popup.cfm?pageid=12&rc_hidecontent=26&nEventID=250&CloseOnBlur=0&Color=6E98C2&FontColor=666666&BGColor=FFFFFF

Attractions

Central Square
Central Square is home to the Downstage Theatre, which seats 80 for an intimate audience experience and offers many original plays and performances. Adjacent to this is the Screening Room, where the West Central Cinema Club houses its monthly screenings of films from the past as well as award winning international films. Conferences, forums, recitals and meetings make regular use of the Central Square Complex meeting rooms and Exhibition Hall. A model-railroading museum is presently under construction. Future additions include a wood working shop area. Area events such as the Memory Walk, Memorial Day Program, Children’s Theatre Camp and performance, Festival of Nations and seasonal observances such as the Messiah Sing are always on the calendar. The complex includes an in house kitchen for catering events, rental space to various organizations and businesses as well as a condominium wing housing private owners. The Second Floor Gallery hosts a wide variety of arts and cultural exhibits, many of museum quality.