441 North Park Drive, Morton, MN 56270 info@renvillecountyhistory.com 507.697.6147

Preserving Renville County’s History since 1940!

The Renville County Historical Society seeks donations for their Shelving and Archival Boxes Fund to preserve local history. They utilize acid-free archival boxes from Gaylord, ensuring long-term preservation. Additionally, specific shelving and everyday supplies are needed for museum operations. Donations and purchases can be made via specified links or checks.

The Importance of Main Streets: Bird Island, Olivia and Willmar FINAL

This publication was shared by Rick Bonlender, Economic Development Professions of the Mid-Minnesota Development Commission on 1/28/2021. He requested anyone to feel free to use it as a template to write up your own Op-ed and post/circulate in… Read More

Basketball Results Prior to 1960

Found in the scrapbook for the 1960-1961 Danube Hawks basketball, belonging to Rod Black was a none dated clipping listing the basketball results from 1931-1959. Year —- Champion —– Runnerup 1931 Glencoe Brownton1932 Buffalo Lake Glencoe1933 Brownton Norwood1934… Read More

Fire Destroys Public School Building Last Wednesday Night published in the Bird Island Union March 9, 1916

Had a Good Start before Discovered–22 Below Temp Weather and Dep Snow Hampers Firemen–School to Resume Work Monday Morning. The Birds Island Public school building was totally destroyed by fire last Wednesday night. The fire was discovered by… Read More

BIRD ISLAND MUST WIN! DELEUDA EST OLIVIA! published in the Renville County Union newspaper on October 5, 1900.

Editor’s Note: Deleuda est Olivia translation: Olivia must be destroyed! The Renville County Union was published in Bird Island and would later on November 20, 1903, would be named the Bird Island Union. To the People of Renville… Read More

We NEED Renville County School Yearbooks (Annuals)! UPDATED 1/06/2026

The Renville County Historical Society needs your help to add to the Research Library’s Yearbook Collection. Yearbooks, platbooks, and phonebooks are key pieces of preserving the history of who lived in the area and when.

Tornado published in the Bird Island Blizzard July 21, 1881

Very, fortunately, we escaped the tornado of last Friday, although one of the hardest storms that we have ever had, accompanied by rain and hail struck this place on that day at about 3 o’clock P.M., lasting about… Read More

Contract for Hemp Mill to be Let Soon

Mills at Bird Island, Hutchinson, Lake Lillian and Grove City are Already Assured In a communication dated at Washington, March 30, Secretary of Commerce, Jesse Jones, announced the defense plant corporation has authorized execution of eight contracts for… Read More

George Paul Arlt, Bird Island Union, 12-12-1918

A Soldier’s Sacrifice George Paul Arlt Dies In France A telegram from the Adjutant General received Dec. 10, conveyed to Mr. and Mrs. Christ Arlt of Hector gave the sad news that their son, Geo Paul had been… Read More

War Fund Campaign, Bird Island Union, 12-12-1918

Report by Districts We give below a synopsis of the report of Renville County’s United War Fund Campaign. G. O. Bergan, Captain Sacred Heart District, cash $6084.50, pledged $4176.25, allotment $10,224.00 subscribed $10,260.75. Dr. A. M. Erickson, Captain… Read More