Did you know that Cologne Minnesota’s story begins with two villages? Benton and Cologne were separate entities. Both incorporated in 1881. They were named for different reasons. Benton was named after Thomas H Benton a prominent American statesman. Cologne was named by its founders after Cologne Germany their homeland.
Cologne Minnesota is a small city in Carver County. It’s about 30 miles from Minneapolis. Its location was strategically important. The Hastings and Dakota Railroad connected Glencoe and Minneapolis. This railway passed through Cologne. The railroad was a major factor in Cologne’s growth.
For almost ten years the two villages prospered. Farming and milling were their main industries. Then in 1891 Benton and Cologne merged. Benton was officially annexed much later in the 1970s. Main Street in the early years was bustling. There were general stores saloons and other businesses. A grist mill and grain elevator also served the community.
Cologne has seen its share of famous visitors. Charles Lindbergh campaigned there in 1918. George H W Bush also visited during his 1984 vice-presidential campaign. The town’s history was preserved on film. “Cologne From the Diary of Ray and Esther” documented life in the German-American community. This amateur film was added to the National Film Registry in 2001. It’s one of only a few amateur films to receive this recognition.
Cologne boasts several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The Paul Mohrbacher House dates back to 1880. It was the home of one of Cologne’s founders. The Philip Guettler House built in 1902 and the John Knotz House from 1905 are also historically significant. They represent different eras of Cologne’s development.
Today Cologne is described as a vibrant small town. It maintains its heritage while looking to the future. It offers a high quality of life to its residents and visitors. It combines its rich history with new opportunities. Cologne blends its past with the present. It’s a testament to the enduring spirit of a community.