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.

Maxwell – Donnelly Fairfax Crescent February 3, 1899

We had a couple from North Dakota stop by today inquiring about the Donnelly family (brothers, Michael and Cornelious Donnelly) who had land in section 30 of Wellington Township, Renville County. Michael and Cornelious along with their families… Read More

Henry Hauser’s speech given at the Fairfax-Minneapolis Club in 1929 in Minneapolis

I came to Fairfax about September 10, 1882. There was absolutely nothing there, except a crowd of men working on the R.R. track, west of town. There was no side-track, not a building, nothing but a stubble field… Read More

We NEED Renville County School Yearbooks (Annuals)! UPDATED 11/09/2025

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.

Fairfax Branch of the Red Cross taken from the book “Renville County in World War I: 1917, 1918, 1919” published by the Olivia Times in 1920

OfficersChairman: Wm. FissVice-Chairman: Dr. A.M. CrandallSecretary: Mrs. Ellen RussellTreasurer: Mrs. Emily F. Sell The Fairfax Branch was organized on June 18, 1917. Its activities covered a large field, the townships of Cairo, Wellington, and Camp being within its… Read More

High School Sports of Renville County Upcoming Exhibit!

The Renville County Historical Society & Museum (RCHS) is in the process of putting together a special exhibit for this fall & winter on the High School Sports of Renville County. RCHS is seeking the donation or loan… Read More

Killed in France, Fairfax Standard, December 26, 1918

The many friends in this vicinity of Captain Oscar Youngdahl better known at Professor Youngdahl will be grieved to learn of his death, which occurred in France on October 8. Deceased put in two years of earnest work… Read More

Calmer Carlson Dies in France, Franklin Tribune, 12-12-1918

Of Pneumonia and Influenza Oct. 9 Memorial Services Held Sunday Evening Memorial services in memory of Calmer Carlson were held Sunday evening in the Ft. Ridgely and Dale church and owing to the beautiful weather the church was… 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

Minimum Wages, Fairfax Standard, 11-28-1918

The Minnesota Minimum Wage Commission has established a scale of minimum wages to be observed in Minnesota, in the employment of women or minors, as follows: For mercantile, waitresses, office or hair dressing occupations, in St. Paul, Minneapolis… Read More