Community History
Beginnings
What is now Glencoe was first inhabited by indigenous Native American peoples for at least two thousand years. At the time of European arrival, it was inhabited by the Dakota Sioux. The town was first platted in 1855, and is named after Glen Coe, a valley in Scotland. The county seat was sited at Glencoe as part of the original founding; a year later, a post office (which continues in operation today) was established. The town steadily developed within the tight street grid pattern typical of that time.
Growth
Glencoe grew rapidly with the arrival of the Hastings and Dakota Railway in 1872, followed by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, changing from a small settlement to a thriving trade center. Incorporated as a city in 1909, Glencoe’s traditional downtown continued to develop to the north of what is now US Highway 212, along the TC&W rail line (the City once served as the operating hub for the TC&W railroad). The City’s growth continued apace as a regional trade center serving nearby cities and numerous family farms.
Changes and Challenges
The displacement of family farms by large-scale commercial farming beginning in the 1960s, and out-migration of younger people for study and opportunities in other cities gradually decreased the City’s importance and role as a regional trade center.
In that same time period, Glencoe, like most other cities in the US, began to follow a lower-density development pattern that shifted commercial development away from is center.
Opportunity
The City’s many assets, as well as upcoming improvements (including continuous four lanes for Highway 212) to the Twin Cities, are likely to lead to renewed growth as younger families, attracted by quality schools and relatively low cost of real estate, choose to settle in town.
Additionally, the City’s diversified economy (including healthcare, manufacturing, agricultural, and utilities), entrepreneurial spirit and diverse population position it as a community with high potential and a bright future.
What is now Glencoe was first inhabited by indigenous Native American peoples for at least two thousand years. At the time of European arrival, it was inhabited by the Dakota Sioux. The town was first platted in 1855, and is named after Glen Coe, a valley in Scotland. The county seat was sited at Glencoe as part of the original founding; a year later, a post office (which continues in operation today) was established. The town steadily developed within the tight street grid pattern typical of that time.
Growth
Glencoe grew rapidly with the arrival of the Hastings and Dakota Railway in 1872, followed by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, changing from a small settlement to a thriving trade center. Incorporated as a city in 1909, Glencoe’s traditional downtown continued to develop to the north of what is now US Highway 212, along the TC&W rail line (the City once served as the operating hub for the TC&W railroad). The City’s growth continued apace as a regional trade center serving nearby cities and numerous family farms.
Changes and Challenges
The displacement of family farms by large-scale commercial farming beginning in the 1960s, and out-migration of younger people for study and opportunities in other cities gradually decreased the City’s importance and role as a regional trade center.
In that same time period, Glencoe, like most other cities in the US, began to follow a lower-density development pattern that shifted commercial development away from is center.
Opportunity
The City’s many assets, as well as upcoming improvements (including continuous four lanes for Highway 212) to the Twin Cities, are likely to lead to renewed growth as younger families, attracted by quality schools and relatively low cost of real estate, choose to settle in town.
Additionally, the City’s diversified economy (including healthcare, manufacturing, agricultural, and utilities), entrepreneurial spirit and diverse population position it as a community with high potential and a bright future.
Videos
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Grand Opening of the Glencoe City Pool
The link was shared by a member of the Project Steering Committee, who noted the community's pride and sense of accomplishment in developing this community asset. |
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God's Country (a documentary film about Glencoe)
In 1979, famed French director Louis Malle came to Glencoe to film initial footage for a documentary to be aired on PBS. He returned six years later to complete the film. During those six years, conditions changed dramatically for small farming towns across the US. The documentary, named "God’s Country," provides a snapshot of life in the city in the 1980s, including struggles faced by local farmers and residents during that decade’s farm crisis. Learn more about the film here > |
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