Breckenridge is the Minnesota half of the Twin Towns
Breckenridge is the Minnesota half of the Twin Towns, where rivers and the Minnesota-North Dakota state border separate it from its larger counterpart. At the state border, the Bois de Sioux River meets the Otter River to become the Red River, and Breckenridge even has a plaque commemorating the river’s headwaters. While Wahpeton only has the Red River, the Otter River cuts through Breckenridge, optimizing its riverside spaces. Still, the river and state border between the cities don’t create a hard boundary, so residents share amenities, from parks and grocery stores to Breckenridge’s hospital. “They’re definitely sister cities,” says real estate agent Kaden Monsebroten with Prime Realty. “It doesn’t feel like you’re in a different city, even if you’re in a different state.”
Breckenridge's riverside recreation and community parks in Wahpeton
With both the Red and Otter rivers flowing through town, Breckenridge residents have plenty of space for fishing. “It’s especially popular for catfish on the Red River,” Monsebroten says. Anglers also reel in sturgeons, northern pike and smallmouth bass. Welles Memorial Park sits between the Red River and the curve of the Otter River, creating an ideal fishing space, but there’s also a playground and a 9-hole disc golf course. “On the north side of town, there’s a ton of space that’s not private property that you can use,” Monsebroten says. “You can find a spot right off the river and cast a line — it’s pretty open.” On the Wahpeton side of the river, Chahinkapa Park is the largest green space for both cities, complete with a zoo, skatepark and various athletic fields and courts all overlooking the Red River. Breckenridge Family Aquatic Center is open June through August.
Ranging home sizes and some riverside properties
Closer to Breckenridge’s city center, smaller homes like bungalows, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes sit along sidewalk-lined streets, with front walkways cutting through small yards. Alleyways behind homes lead to detached garages. These homes typically range from $50,000 to $160,000. Fanning out from the middle of Breckenridge, houses get larger, featuring more split levels and New Traditionals with attached two-car garages and driveways. These houses start at around $200,000 and reach up to $340,000. Properties on the Breckenridge side of the river are typically less expensive than those found in Wahpeton.
Some properties back the Otter River but don’t have docks and piers. Residents instead just walk into their backyards with their equipment in hand and fish from the shoreline. Some flooding is also prevalent along the Otter River, so homeowners may need to invest in flood insurance.
Breckenridge's public schools with postsecondary education options
Despite the Twin Towns sharing many amenities, they have different school districts. Students on the Minnesota side of the Red River start at Breckenridge Elementary School, which receives a B-minus from Niche. C-rated Breckenridge Middle/High School houses seventh through twelfth graders. High school students can take Postsecondary Enrollment Options to earn college credit or technical certifications.
Historic Breckenridge restaurants and Wahpeton's Walmart
Wilkin Drink and Eatery has been a Breckenridge staple since 1897 and is now a fifth-generation family owned restaurant with big windows letting in natural light and Tiffany-style lights over the bar. Favorites Drive Thru Deli has made-to-order sandwiches and soups ready at the drive-up window of the small shack. Drifter Coffee is located in the back of Drifter Chic Boutique and offers coffees and Italian sodas. Econo Foods is Breckenridge’s only grocery store, but Wahpeton’s Walmart Supercenter is 3 miles away.
The Wilkin County Fair and Headwaters Day in Breckenridge
Breckenridge hosts the Wilkin County Fair every late August, which includes carnival rides, live music, pageants and a demo derby. Named after the Red River’s headwaters, Headwaters Day in September offers a parade, car show, petting zoo, bull riding and live music in Welles Memorial Park. On the first weekend of June, Blue Goose Days is a cross-city celebration, with a parade going through both towns, though celebrations continue at the Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton.
Two bridges cross the river between Breckenridge and Wahpeton
Downtown Wahpeton is on the other side of the state border from downtown Breckenridge, connected by the Minnesota Avenue bridge. The only other bridge over the Red River is on the north side at Bypass Road, where Wahpeton residents can access Breckenridge’s hospital — St. Francis Medical Center. Fargo is the nearest big city, about 47 miles away, and is home to Hector International Airport, about 51 miles from Breckenridge.
Written By
Caroline Ernst
