History of St. James 

St. James has a rich history. The city was founded and created by the expansion of the railroad in the late 1800s. Many great and interesting people called St. James their home or business-place. Among those are Minnesota Governor Hammond and Reverend and Mrs. Theodore Mondale (Walter Mondale's grandparents). Visit St. James today and discover our interesting history in the making! 

The Beginning 

In 1867, the directors of the Sioux City and St. Paul railroads had a meeting. They decided to complete a railroad between the two cities and operate the railroad in two divisions. Upon consulting their maps, they ascertained that the point between the two divisions would be in the middle of Watonwan County. At that time, the entire area was destitute of any settlers for many miles. Read on [Naming and Settlement] to learn about the naming and settlement of St. James. 

At the Present 

St. James is a proud community of almost 5,000 people. The city has excellent medical services, housing opportunities, city services, scenic beauty, schools, churches, and more. Make St. James your home today!