History

• The City of Nicollet was founded in 1856 by several different people. It was named after the french explorer Jean Nicollet.
• The City of Nicollet is located in Nicollet County on Highways 14, 99, and 111. It is near Swan Lake.
• Nicollet has several founders and various locations at first. At one time it was known as “Eureka” and then “Swan City” as well as “Dakota City.” None of these sites were very successful until the railroad came through the area. The name of Nicollet was decided upon in 1858.
• The present-day townsite for Nicollet was founded by James Stewart in 1874. The location was chosen due to the railroad.
• The Sisseton Sioux Indians led by Chief Sleepy Eye called the area home at one time. They lived in an area near Swan Lake.
• During the heyday of the railroad, Nicollet had up to 6 passenger trains running at one time.
• The 1st fire department in Nicollet was created in 1893.
• The 1st school in Nicollet was a private school in an old feed mill in 1883 taught by Miss Nette Wethille. The 1st public school was built in 1885 for 1-thousand-450 dollars, and the first teacher there was Gustav Chilgren.
• Many years ago, pike were forked out of Swan Lake by the wagon load. Some were even used by local farmers for fertilizer. There is a picture of fish 5-feet long taken from Swan Lake.
• Ice was a big industry in Nicollet at one time. Ice from Swan Lake was taken for both commercial and residential needs and stored away for use during the summer.
• Nicollet had a “Pest house” at one time. Any single man who had a communicable disease had to live in the pest house until he recovered.
• In 1905 an epidemic of influenza made life miserable for a good share of Nicollet’s population.

Businesses

• The public school system in Nicollet is one of the town’s major emploers. Their nickname is the Raiders.
• Some of Nicollet’s large businesses include: Hewitt Machine and Manufacturing, a maker of roll-a-docks and boat lifts, Nicollet Food Products, makers of dried milk and other food, and Schmitt Meat Market.
• The Nicollet Public School completed their last major expansion in 2006 adding a new community center, an auditorium, a new gym, a fitness center and walking track, a teen center, expanded day care facilities, and other amenities.
• Schmidt’s Meat Market of downtown Nicollet took home 5 awards during the 2009 Minnesota Association of Meat Processors Convention in St. Cloud. Schmidt’s was awarded Grand Champian of their Dried Beef, and Reserve Grand Champion awards for their Bacon, Original Beef Jerky, Sweet Mustard Brat and the Wild Rice and Blueberry Brat. The competition involved over 447 entires in 24 product catagories.

Festivals & Events

• Nicollet’s big celebration of the year is “Friendship Days.” The annual summer festival is held in June, and features a queen coronation, softball tournaments, a parade, carnival rides, and much more.
• The Nicollet American Legion holds a Fish Fry every year, typically on the first Saturday in February. Thousands of people flock to the event to feast on fish.
• The Nicollet American Legion holds a popular Steak Fry on the last Saturday of every month.
• The 3rd Saturday od every month has a Pork Chop Fry at the Nicollet Conservation Club.
• Nicollet holds a city-wide garage sale every year, typically in May.

People

• The current population of Nicollet is approximately 1,000 people. The Mayor is Glenn Thompson.
• The Chairman of the Nicollet School Board was named to the 2010 All-State School Board. Mike Holmin is 1 of only 7 school board members in the state to receive the prestigious honor from the Minnesota School Board Association. Award criteria include strong leadership, excellence in boardmanship, communication skills, visionary thinking, and a demonstration of concern for students, staff, and taxpayers. Holmin is currently serving his 10th year on the Nicollet School Board.
• In 2010 the Nicollet Public School welcomed a new Principal. The Nicollet School Board approved a 215-day contract with Mike Scott during a meeting, and his first day on the job was July 1st, 2010.
• The 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year for Nicollet was awarded to Michele Metzger. She teaches high school, 5th and 6th grade band, and elementary music classes.
• In 2010 Mitch Olson, the oldest son of Oren and Julie Olson, of Nicollet was featured in an issue of the “Dairy Star” newspaper. Olson is a 6-year veteran of the U.S. Army who returned from his second year-long deployment overseas in 2009. During his last deployment he served as a door gunner on a Blackhawk helicopter. He was featured in the “Dairy Star” story titled “Out of the Blackhawk, Back on U.S. Soil.” When Olson’s time in the miltary is up in 2011 he intends to return to Nicollet with his wife Jayme and their three daughters and work the family dairy farm.
• Despite interruptions from severe weather in June 2010, Friendship Days celebrations were underway and a new Miss Nicollet was crowned. Miss Nicollet 2010 is Taylor Meurer, the daughter of Wayne and Shirley Meurer. Crowned First Princess was Samantha Scheurer, the daughter of Mike and Melinda Scheurer. Crowned Second Princess was Alyssa Lawrence, the daughter of John Lawrence, and named Third Princess was Samantha Nourie, the daughter of Chad and Lynnette Nourie.
• The oldest continuous registered Holstein herd in the nation celebrated 125 Years in 2010. Forest-Lawn Holsteins of Nicollet celebrated the landmark day with about 500 people on hand for the morning breakfast at the farm. There was also a celebrity milking contest, where Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau came in first, Ruth Klossner second, and in third was KNUJ’s Jim Bartels. Other activities included: the Minnesota State Holstein Field Day sponsored by the Minnesota Holstein Association, a Minnesota State Junior Clipping Contest, a noon meal, a program and a judging contest that day. Paul and Cindy Swenson are the 5th generation to run the farm and Cindy said they take a great deal of pride in that.
• KNUJ’s Hometown Hero for the month of January 2011 was Pat Mead of Nicollet. Pat has been described as “A Little Angel” and “The Energizer Bunny.” Along with the countless ways in which she helps out at her church, she also helps with the daily medical needs of several individuals in and around Nicollet. She works the bloodmobile in Nicollet as well, delivers Meals On Wheels, and much more. The Hometown Hero recognition is sponsored by KNUJ AM and FM and select Thrivent Financial For Lutherans agents.
• The Nicollet School Board chose former member Mike Holmin to replace Kelly Cook who cited “changing professional commitments, family obligations, and the ever-increasing demands of the school board” as the reasons for her resignation. After considering several potential candidates, including those that had run in the last election, the board chose Holmin. Board member George Grubb replaced Cook as the vice chairman of the board as well.
• Friendship Days took place in June of 2011 and included the Miss Nicollet Talent Show, followed by karaoke in the park into the night. There was a craft show, antique tractor pull, kiddie parade, and demo derby, as well as fireworks at dusk.
• Miss Nicollet 2011 was Whitney Wills, the daughter of Doug and Tammy Wills. Crowned First Princess was Autumn Johnson, the daughter of Chat and Rachel Johnson. Named Second Princess was Jenna Johnston, the daughter of Scott and Sharon Johnston, and Nicollet Third Princess was Brittany Enter, the daughter of Kevin and Beverly Enter.
• The 2011 Nicollet Snow King was Garret Miller and the Snow Queen was Samantha Lawson. Snow Week activities included special dress-up days, such as “Ugly Sweater Day”, a wrestling tournament and chess tournament, a Pennies For Patients fundraiser and the Snow Week Dance.

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