History

• The Village of Green Isle was incorporated in November of 1883. Green Isle didn’t become an official city until 1974.
• The area around Green Isle was settled by several families as early as 1855. The railroad came through in 1881.
• Green Isle is located in Sibley County at the intersection of Highways 5 and 25.
• Bodies of water close to Green Isle include a series of 3 lakes collectively called Mud Lakes, along Washington Lake and Shauer Lake. Near Green Isle there is also Silver Lake, High Island Creek, and the Minnesota River.
• The 1st mayor of Green Isle was Hugh D. Brown.
• The 1st baby born in the Village of Green Isle was James O’Meara.
• The Green Isle Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1888 and the 1st Fire Chief was Dennis Neavin.
• The 1st school in Green Isle was built in 1885. It was a 4-room frame building.
• The 1st church in Green Isle was built in 1865.
• Green Isle had a total of 4 grain elevators and 1 sawmill during the period of 1885 to 1905.
• Green Isle was named after The Emerald Isle — Ireland. It’s logo is “A Bit Of Ireland.”
• The Green Isle Irish baseball team baseball team has made 18 State Tournament appearances since 1972, and has won the championship 10 times, including in 2003.

Businesses

• Green Isle is home to several large businesses. They include: Fahey Consignment, Latzke Trucking, Locher Brothers Distributing, and Wentzlaff Construction.
• The Green Isle Community School is one of the town’s largest employers.
• The Grey Fox Tavern is now open under the ownership of Duane Kriese.
• Farm Bureau Insurance Agent, Wade Scott, has completed the remodeling of 321 McGrann Street and is now open for business. Wade Scott also has another office located in Waconia.
• The Country Corner is under new ownership, is currently being remodeled and will open for business in the near future. Once open, new owner, Ken Schwalbe, will offer 24/7 pay-at-the-pump gas, diesel fuel and a new deli section that replaces the restaurant.

Festivals & Events

• The people of Green Isle celebrate Oktoberfest every year during the 2nd weekend in September.
• The Green Isle Fire Department holds a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser every year. It typically takes place on the 1st Sunday in May.
• The Green Isle Lions Club will host a DINNER & COMEDY SHOW on Saturday February 6th, 2010 from 6:00pm-11:00pm. The proceeds will go to community projects.
• The people of Green Isle held their 1st Annual Community Night Out in 2009. The 2nd Annual Green Isle Community Night Out will be held on August 4th, 2010.

People

• The City of Green Isle has a population of approximately 430 people.
• The Mayor of Green Isle is Randal Bruegger. Bruegger was 25 when he was first elected in 2004 and he began his 2nd term as Mayor of Green Isle in 2009. He said he ran for the position in order to make a difference in the community.
• In 2011 the Green Isle City Council voted unanimously to appoint Steve Wilson to the seat vacated by Laurie Pepin. The seat will be on the 2012 general election ballot.
• The City of Green Isle City Council unanimously appointed Mark Wentzlaff to a seat on the council left open when Councilor Chuck White resigned in 2011. Wentzlaff will complete the remainder of White’s term, which expires at the end of 2012.
• In 2011 the City of Green Isle raised funds for a new fire department pumper truck following the loss of it’s previous truck in a crash in Jessenland Township. Fire Chief Scott Vos brought forward nearly $46,000 in checks and pledges during a city council meeting to go towards the replacement truck.
• The City of Green Isle celebrated Oktoberfest In The Park in 2011. The city celebrated with a kickball tournament and an antique tractor pull. The Shamrock Medallion Hunt was also held.
• In 2011 Trevor Flannery, who is 13 years old, from Green Isle won an international pedal pull championship. Flannery took part in the competition in Fairfield, Iowa and won after successfully pulling 570 pounds. Trevor, who is the son of James and Kristine Flannery, won the 2010 State Champion Pedal-Puller title as well after successfully pulling 375 pounds. Trevor had also won the National Pedal Pull Championship in 2007, as well as in 2010.
• In 2010 twenty-three Minnesota fire departments were awarded more than $1.4 million in federal grants for new equipment and training. Amongst them was the Green Isle Fire and Rescue, which was awarded over $18,000 for operations and safety.

Click on the title below to listen to the Town Days Podcasts

• Mayor Randall Bruegger

  23 Feb 12