Founding & History of Kanaranzi, MN

Kanaranzi, a village in Kanaranzi township was platted in 1885 but never incorporated.  Kanaranzi was a station on the Burlington railroad, established in 1885. Kanaranzi was named after the township in which it is located.  The name is derived from the name of the creek, the Kanaranzi Creek, which is spelled Karanzi on early maps. Karanzi is a Dakota word meaning “where the Kansas were killed”.

The post office was opened in 1886 with G. T. Bandy as postmaster.   A school building was built in 1899. Kanaranzi had a bank, Kanaranzi State Bank.

In 1902 a hall was built by German immigrants just south of the townsite.. They named it the KDUV Dance Hall — the Kanaranzi Deutsche Unbeholfen Verein.  It was more of a social club than a dance hall, families came for wholesome good fellowship on holidays and special occasions. Only people from a 9-mile radius could be members.  The hall closed in 1952 when features like indoor plumbing and running water were required by the state.

Kanaranzi, MN Today

Kanaranzi is primarily a residential community today.  The population was estimated to be 70 in 2011. Both the bank and school are now closed.  The post office closed in 1992.