Founding and History of Magnolia, MN

Magnolia, located in Magnolia Township, was platted in October 1891 and incorporated September 4, 1894.  Magnolia Township, organized in 1872, was named for the township and village of Magnolia in Rock County, Wisconsin, on suggestion of Philo Hawes, who had lived there.  

In 1872, a post office, was established just over the county line on section 18, Westside township.  This post office, known as Westside, was a station on the Worthington-Sioux Falls mail route. In 1876 the Sioux City & St. Paul railway from Worthington to Sioux Falls was built into Rock County.  The second station on the railroad was on section 13 near the large farm owned by Hon. Elias F. Drake of St. Paul, president of the Minnesota Valley Railroad. In his honor the station became known as Drake station.  In 1884 the railroad wanted to expand by building side tracks and it could not do this at the Drake location. It was decided to found a town a half mile further west, largely the idea of Ex-Lt. Gov. W. H. Yale who had large farming interests in the area.  In 1886 the old Westside post office was moved to Magnolia with Ira E. Crosby as the first postmaster.

Early Magnolia had a 8-grade two-story school.  The only church in Magnolia was the Holbert Methodist church.

Magnolia, MN Today

Magnolia had a population of 222 in 2010.  Magnolia has a post office, zip code 56158.  It is home to the United Methodist Church. Magnolia High School graduated its last class in 1981 and students now attend Luverne High School.  The Magnolia Elementary School remained open until 1994 when the district completely combined with the Luverne district.

The former Magnolia school building is now home to Southwestern Youth Services (SYS) a non-secure residential treatment facility that provides supervision, education and programs to meet the needs of young males who are experiencing legal, social, educational or behavioral problems.