Cold Spring blends nature, history and community spirit
Cold Spring draws people looking for a small-town atmosphere in the suburbs of St. Cloud. This community continuously supports the high school football and amateur baseball teams by rallying together at each game. The area is also home to the Sauk River Chain of Lakes, a popular spot for boating and other water sports. Cold Spring was founded in the 1800s and named after the area’s natural spring water, which continues to be used by Cold Spring Brewing Company, one of the oldest breweries in the state. It’s also home to Coldspring, one of the country’s largest granite suppliers and a significant financial backbone of the community.
From modest single-family homes to luxurious lakefront houses
Single-family homes are predominant throughout Cold Spring, where the median sale price is around $340,000. Some townhouses can also be found around the city. “It’s a very well-rounded community for housing,” says Broker Josh Hirschfeld of Hirschfeld Real Estate, who has lived in Cold Spring his whole life. “We have houses for first-time homebuyers and luxurious lakeshore properties.” Though a few Victorians and cottages date back to the 1920s, most homes were built between the mid-1900s and today. Ranch-style and split-level homes are very common and built right next to each other. Cold Spring also has some upscale communities. “There’s a fantastic housing development called River Links at the Rich Spring Golf Club,” Hirschfeld says. “They sell for around $500,000 on the low end and go up to $2 million for a luxurious lakefront property attached to the golf course.”
Parks connect to the Sauk River Chain of Lakes
Several parks are situated along the Sauk River, which leads to a system of 15 lakes known as the Sauk River Chain of Lakes. Boaters can launch from the ramp at Lions Park into the river and then head downstream to explore the lakes’ 3,200 acres of water. Lions Park also has a fishing pier and concrete tables and benches by the water for picnicking. Alexander Park is just a quarter of a mile upstream, with access to The Rocori Trail, which goes over the Sauk River Dam. It runs 15 miles between Rockville, Cold Spring and Richmond. During winter, the trail is used for snowmobiling. Throughout the warmer months, locals head to the park to have fun on the playground and splash pad or to attend a community event by the bandshell.
Shops and restaurants downtown, including longtime businesses
Downtown has a handful of small shops, restaurants and bars. Founded in 1874, Cold Spring Brewery is one of the oldest breweries in Minnesota. Its craft beer division, Third Street Brewhouse, is a popular spot to hang out inside or out on the patio. Cold Spring Bakery is another staple, serving the community since 1946. Red Truck Ice Cream sits across the street from Alexander Park. Hirschfeld says, “On a hot day, people will walk over from the park, and there will be a line out the door.” Downtown has several boutiques and antique shops. Locals head to Teal’s Market for groceries and everyday essentials. La Perla Market serves Mexican food and sells Mexican produce. Big box retailers like Walmart and Target are about 15 miles away in St. Cloud.
Community supports Rocori High School football team
Rocori School District is named after the three communities it serves: Rockville, Cold Spring, and Richmond. Students may attend Cold Spring Elementary School, which receives a B-minus grade from Niche. They’ll go on to Rocori Middle School, graded a B-plus, and Rocori Senior High School, graded a B-minus. “Friday night football is a big deal,” Hirschfeld says. “Everybody is there and they pack the stands.” The Rocori Titans football team competes in the Class AAAA Division of the Minnesota State High School League. They won the state championship in 2019 and came up short in the 2023 state championship.
Cold Spring Springers baseball and Hometown Pride Day
In the city logo, the “I” in “Cold Spring” is dotted with a baseball, representing the community’s pride in its amateur baseball team, the Cold Spring Springers. The team has been around since 1924. “Baseball is a big tradition in Cold Spring,” Hirschfeld says. “They get good crowds, and a lot of the players used to play for the high school.” The Springers won their last state championship in 2014 and appeared in the state championship tournament in 2022.
The community gathers every year to celebrate Hometown Pride Day. The three-day event, held every July, features a wide range of activities, including a car show, 5K run and games. The last night is capped off with Firefest, a country music concert with big-name acts that raises money for the local volunteer fire department.
Commuting to St. Cloud and Minneapolis
Locals take Minnesota Highway 23 to drive about 25 minutes to St. Cloud. It takes about 90 minutes to reach Minneapolis via I-94. According to Hirschfeld, many locals commute to Minneapolis for work. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is the closest major airport.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
