A rural town full of agriculture and manufacturing jobs
Long Prairie is a small town of about 3,600 that brings life to the very rural area of Todd County, serving as the county seat. Historically, Long Prairie has been a destination for Latino immigrants, with the current population being more than a quarter Hispanic, according to U.S. Census data. “A lot of them come here because of the job opportunities,” says Luan Thomas-Brunkhorst, director of the Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have several manufacturers, including a meat packaging plant, an egg plant, a trailer manufacturer and a lot of dairy.” Brunkhorst, who has lived in Long Prairie since 1999, adds that a growing Amish population contributes to the area’s agriculture as well. Many jobs are also through the public school system and the county at the historic courthouse that overlooks downtown. The downtown area is quaint but full of local businesses. The community also has several traditions, including an annual Latino festival, Prairie Days and the county fair.
Older and newer houses throughout the community
Single-family homes are predominant throughout Long Prairie, dating from the late 1800s through the early 2000s. Century-old cottages sell for around $100,000 to $230,000. Ranch-style and split-level homes built in the mid-1900s range from around $120,000 to $290,000. Similar houses from the 1980s through the early 2000s sell between $210,000 and $400,000. Most residential areas are in a suburban grid layout with homes on approximately quarter-acre lots. There are a few dozen waterfront homes along Lake Charlotte that rarely go on the market. In recent years, only one has been sold for nearly $290,000.
Local downtown businesses on Central Avenue
Century-old attached storefronts line downtown’s Central Avenue, which has diagonal street parking. With nearly a dozen places to eat, locals can hit up Countryside Restaurant for homestyle cooking, Griff’s Pizza for its signature chicken alfredo pizza or Mi Pueblito Market & Restaurant for Mexican food and produce. Downtown also has several shops, including different boutiques and the Bargain Barn Outlet thrift store. For everyday groceries and essentials, there’s a Coborn’s on the south side of town along U.S. 71. The Amish community and surrounding farms also provides produce. “Some Amish families will have stands outside their homes with fruits and vegetables,” Thomas–Brunkhorst says. “We also have a farmers market, which they sometimes attend.” The farmers market is held at Minnesota National Bank and typically runs from the first week of June to the end of September.
Lake Charlotte Park, a drive-in theater and other activities
Lake Charlotte Park is a common summertime destination for locals. It’s the city’s largest park, featuring a sandy beach, fishing docks, a playground and a disc golf course. Thomas–Brunkhorst says, “If it’s hot, the beach is jampacked with families and a lot of Latino music in the background.” Boaters can access the lake from a ramp just down the road from the park. A softball field known as Soldier Field turns into an ice skating rink in the winter. Long Prairie Veterans Park serves as a reminder of those who fought in the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima with a large mural, helicopter and tank. The Long Prairie Country Club offers a public 18-hole golf course and a clubhouse with a restaurant and pro shop. Locals have been pulling up to the Long Drive-In Theatre since the 1950s to watch movies from their cars. It stays open from June through September and films play Thursday through Sunday night.
Prairie Days and the Todd Country Fair
Two of the biggest events of the year happen in June: Prairie Days and the Todd County Fair. Prairie Days shuts down Central Avenue for a car show, craft fair, games and live music. “After nine years, Prairie Days is finally getting to the point where people realize this is ours,” Thomas–Brunkhorst says. “Next door in Browerville, the whole town always comes out to their event. Here, people used to be like, ‘Should we come? Should we just stay home?’ But now, we’re starting to see bigger turnouts.” The county fair is the town’s oldest tradition, starting in 1883. It features carnival rides, a rodeo, tractor pulls and live music.
Associate's degrees at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Secondary School
Kindergarten through sixth-grade students attend Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Elementary School, which receives a C-plus grade from Niche. Students in grades 7 through 12 attend Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Secondary School, graded a B. High schoolers can earn an associate’s degree on campus through Central Lakes College.
Access to U.S. 71
U.S. 71 runs north and south through Long Prairie, which leads 18 miles to Sauk Centre. It’s also the starting point for a 40-mile drive to Alexandria and a 120-mile trip to Minneapolis, which takes about two hours.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
