In the fertile Red River Valley of northern
Minnesota rests the small community of Hendrum. Once inhabited by the Dakota
Sioux and Chippewa Indians, this flat land became settled by Scandinavians thus
forcing the tribes to move to other areas. The settlers were a hardy group of
people, mainly farmers, who endured many hardships including grasshoppers,
plagues, diptheria epidemics, and many natural disasters such as floods,
blizzards, and tornadoes. Farming is still the main livelihood in this area with
crops of wheat, sugar beets, soybeans, and sunflowers being grown in
abundance. Floods, blizzards, and occasional tornadoes are still part of
this area. Because of the flat, rich soil, the communities business districts
revolve around agriculture and it is no surprise that its location is in what is
known as the bread basket of the world. Hendrum was named for a community in
Norway called Hindrumgaard. Located in Norman County in the Red River is one
mile west and the Wild Rice River is one half mile east. Today 318 people make
Hendrum their home.
In July 2007, Hendrum celebrated its 125th anniversary with a huge birthday bash. Thousands of current and former residents enjoyed a three-day get-together that included an all-school reunion, parade, helicopter rides, dances and the firing of the old town cannon. It was a great tribute to the early pioneers who first settled this area, as well as to all those who followed. The sheer number of folks who "came home" for the celebration was indicative of the fondness felt by people who have lived any part of their lives in this small, friendly town.
1882 - City of Hendrum legally established
1897- The year of the big flood
1910- Building of the first concrete sidewalks in Hendrum
1915- First electric lights
1920- A special election in which a bond issue passed to build an electric light plant
1923- The Village proposed to construct a well in the park
1925- Village paid $100 to dig a well in the park
1927- Provided for buying site for new creamery
1930- The Village received a request by Fire Dept. for a used auto to mount firefighting equipment and to make alterations to the fire hall to house equipement
1936- By vote the Village was authorized to issue bonds for the erection of a water tower
1951- Sold electric service to Red River Valley Coop Power in Halstad
1956- fire Department was reorganized
1963- a new water tower was built
1967- Planning Commission was appointed by Village of Hendrum
1971- Public hearing to provide a sewage lagoon on land purchased from Mildred Rask
1976- Hendrum Development Corporation organized
1978- Park project which included a new shelter
1982- Hendrum celebrated its Centennial
1995- Hendrum Economic Development Authority established
1997- Flood of the century
1998- Fire hall remodeling project
1999- Permanent levee constructed for flood protection and renovation of an enlargement of the sanitary sewer system
2007 - Hendrum celebrated its 125th Anniversary