Residents return to Granite Falls for the small-town community feel
Granite Falls is a small city and the county seat of Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. Fewer than 3,000 residents live in the area, which was named after granite rock deposits and small waterfalls in the nearby Minnesota River. Though the city's population is slowly shrinking, it's not uncommon for residents born and raised in the area to move back after a time away. "A lot of it has to do with the small-town community feel," says Brad Peterson, Granite Creek council member at large. "People move back here from the Twin Cities because they want to live in a less busy area, and they want their kids to grow up in a small town with small schools." Granite Falls also has a quaint downtown area and ample outdoor recreation.
Housing options in a close-knit, bike-friendly community
Most of the area's homes are on gridded streets with wide roads. Tall trees line the sidewalks, shading them for a nice bike ride or stroll. "You can let the kids ride their bikes around town and not have to worry about them," Peterson says. "Everyone knows one another and looks out for each other." Workers' cottages, Cape Cods, bungalows and other early-20th-century designs on the gridded streets range from $50,000 to $150,000. Larger houses, like ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals and split-levels, range from $160,000 to $290,000.
Small class sizes and a shared campus for three schools
Yellow Medicine East School District serves the city, which has fewer than 700 students, according to the district website. "There are probably only 40 to 50 kids per grade in the city, and class sizes are small," Peterson says. Children begin learning at Bert Raney Elementary School, rated B-minus by Niche. Yellow Medicine East Middle School is rated C-plus, and Yellow Medicine East High School is rated B-minus. The three schools share one campus, with the elementary school in a separate building from the middle and high schools.
Indoor and outdoor facilities for sports and recreation
Rice Park and River's Edge Disc Golf Course are along the Minnesota River, across from the little downtown area via a pedestrian bridge. "The park's new playground is one of only eight of its kind in the country," Peterson says. "It's handicap accessible, and there are three 30-foot towers." Some flooding occurs around the Minnesota River, but homes are out of the flood plains. Kilowatt Community Center has an indoor pool, fitness rooms and an indoor track. There are also outdoor tennis courts and a field for soccer and football in the middle of a rubberized track.
Quirky shops and everyday necessities downtown
Prentice Street is the city's main downtown area with restaurants and specialty shops. "We have pretty much everything you need here, including a nice grocery store," Peterson says. "Sometimes you need to go to Walmart in Montevideo for something specific, but Granite Falls has all the necessities." Carl's Bakery is a local shop famous in the surrounding area, serving many bread flavors and over 20 types of doughnuts. "Whenever people say they're going to Granite Falls, their friends will ask them to bring back some doughnuts," Peterson says. Another downtown highlight is the Granite Falls Popcorn Stand, which the local Kiwanis organization runs. Open only in the evenings, the stand donates all profits to fund children's activities in the town. It first opened in the early 1920s.
Rodeos and family friendly activities
Western Fest is an annual event held in the third week of June. Large crowds attend the rodeos, which feature contestants from all over the country. On the day before the first rodeo, there are events and activities downtown, including face painting, a fishing contest, an open mic night, line dancing classes and a kiddie parade.
The rural community is a far drive from any big city
U.S. Route 212 and Minnesota highways 67 and 23 meet in Granite Falls. Route 212 leads about 130 miles to Minneapolis, where the nearest international airport is located. Municipal Hospital & Granite Manor and related clinics and doctors' offices are in the city. Martin Mariette – Yellow Medicine Quarry is another local employer, as are machining and manufacturing industries along the railroad. The area's train track is still operative as part of a short freight line between Hopkins and Appleton.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
