History, growth and accessibility converge in St. James
In the late 19th century, St. James emerged as a Union Pacific Railroad stop amidst the sprawling plains of southern Minnesota. Now, the city offers a suburban lifestyle within a developing community. “It’s an up-and-coming town,” says Realtor Malia Hedlund with EXIT Realty – Great Plains, who has sold in the area for four years. The St. James Industrial Park has bolstered the city’s momentum after undergoing an expansion in 2024. New companies, like Great River Energy, continue to generate opportunities and economic stability. Convenience is an additional draw, as residents have a small downtown area, shopping options and quick access to major state highways.
The grain elevators of CFS Coop are among the tallest structures in St. James skyline.
St. James was originally emerged as a stop along the Union Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s.
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Residents get active on the land, water, snow and ice
Recreation options in St. James range from small pocket parks to a 200-acre lake. St. James Lake is one of the biggest attractions in the area, featuring paddle boat launches, fishing docks and the waterfront Memorial Park. Visitors can play disc golf and volleyball, have a picnic or try out the skating plaza. The lake is also home to Tiell Campground, which offers parking for recreational vehicles, a shelter with utilities and a public community pool. The Southside Park Complex has an outdoor ice rink, and Eagle’s Nest Park, 6 miles away, provides trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. The St. James Golf Course is open to the public. Pet owners can head to the unleased dog park, which has agility courses and open play space.
Visitors to Memorial Park enjoy stunning St. James Lake views from multiple vantage points, including playground areas, open lawns, and rocky shoreline perfect for fishing.
The St. James Downtown Park offers convenient downtown location with historic architecture views, memorial monuments, and shaded seating areas perfect for urban recreation.
Unleashed Dog Park is where all the pups in Saint James can go to play.
The surrounding rural landscape allows easy access to parks and campgrounds for St. James' residents.
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A housing market full of Cape Cod and ranch-style options
Residential streets feature sidewalks, deciduous trees and suburban lots. Properties typically have front lawns, backyards and driveways, which keep many parked cars off the road. “Most houses are single-family, and styles include midcentury ranch and 1900s styles," Hedlund says. Cape Cods are also common, and prices often fall between $50,000 and $400,000. Options on the lower end tend to sit on smaller, more densely packed lots, while pricier homes offer more space.
Cape Cods, Tudors and ranch-style homes are common through out St. James.
Lots often sit around a quarter of an acre in St. James.
Homes from the early to mid 1900s sit in the shade of mature trees in St. James.
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Getting together for support groups and events
Clubs, fundraisers and annual celebrations foster an inclusive, volunteer-driven atmosphere in St. James. “All the communities around here have good support groups for everybody,” Hedlund says. The city has Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion programs, which offer veterans a space to connect and receive mental health resources. People also congregate for events, like the Railroad Days each June. The celebration spotlights local history with displays of model trains, exhibits at the Historical Society Museum and a parade. The weeklong festival also includes a golf invitational and a donut-eating contest. Memorial Park is a hub for community gatherings, such as a seasonal weekly farmers market and a free summer concert series. The Watonwan County Fair takes place in St. James each summer, and when temperatures drop, residents come together for an evening light parade during the Winter Carnival.
The St. James History Museum gives residents a place to dive into the legacy of this small but industrious city.
St. James is a city born out of the age of industry, featuring treelined suburban streets and easy access to parks and the great outdoors.
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Shopping and dining on First Avenue
Businesses clad in aged brick form a small downtown area along First Avenue. Shoppers may stop into the Collage Saint James boutique before refueling at Encore Coffee Café next door. Schmidt’s Bakery has made fresh donuts, bread and other sweet treats for over 100 years, and Jake’s Pizza & Sandwich Stop has been a local mainstay since 1976. Chain restaurants are also available, and Family Dollar and the Superfair Foods grocery store sell everyday items. Fairmont, 30 miles away, has the nearest Walmart.
Family Dollar offers easy access to daily essentials to the residents of St. James.
Residents head to First Avenue for dining, shopping and entertainment within St. James.
Super Fair Foods is one of the grocery options for residents of St. James.
Local shops and eateries line First Avenue in St. James.
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Education through the St. James Public School District
Children may begin at Northside Elementary, which scores a B-minus on Niche. St. James Middle/High School also earns a B-minus and offers career and technical education programs in fields like agriculture and business.
Northside Elementary School serves St. James families with age-appropriate programming where young learners explore academics, creativity, and social skills during formative years.
St. James High School serves the community with quality secondary education, where dedicated teachers help students achieve their academic goals and personal aspirations.
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Navigating Watonwan County and access to medical facilities
Three state highways—4, 30 and 60—cut through St. James. The 122-mile drive northeast to Minneapolis takes just over two hours, and Fairmont is 30 miles, or about 35 minutes, southeast. Residents can quickly access health care at the Mayo Clinic, which offers emergency services, and the Veteran Affairs Outpatient Clinic is available, as well. Though the city has no regular public transit, Watonwan County’s Take Me There Transportation buses provide scheduled rides throughout the region.
Written By
Grace Pitney
Photography Contributed By
Edward Pokoj
Video By
Bob Yukich
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Timothy Woolery,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Saint James, MN sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Saint James, MN over the last 12 months is $161,250, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to a move in ready acreage with all new siding and windows last year. The furnace AC and water softner less then 5 years old. The steel roof tops off all of the great outside features of this home. Once you enter the attached 2 stall garage you will notice that it has been completely sheet rocked and is heated with a thermostat. Once you are in the home you will notice the renovated
Super cute! This 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home is move in ready. The main floor boasts a nice front entry, living room with hardwood floors, kitchen with plenty of space for cooking and for kitchen table. The side door enters in to a fabulous porch/ mudroom which also leads to the attached garage. And of course 2 nice bedrooms with hardwood floors and nice size bathroom. The basement is an open
Quiet 10plex located on edge of St. James. Fully renovated & updated nice sized units available. Studio & 1 bedroom units that vary in size/layout. Quick access to Hwy 60, with off street parking available. Each unit has tenant controlled heat & AC. Coin operated laundry on site. Both shorter (3 mon. minimum) and longer term leases available. One furnished unit available for monthly cost. 1
A private entrance into a three-season porch takes you to a single story townhome. Large bedroom features a walk-in closet. Laundry set is in the unit. Ample storage space in the kitchen. Each individual townhome has its own furnace and air conditioner. Water, sewer, heat, and trash included. We allow cats and tank animals. Cats love the three season porches.
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