City of New York Mills

City of New York Mills Welcome to the City of New York Mills official city government page.

Lloyd & Margaret Dreyer opened their first bowling alley in the basement of the City hall before moving to a new buildin...
06/02/2026

Lloyd & Margaret Dreyer opened their first bowling alley in the basement of the City hall before moving to a new building in located on East Centennial 84 Drive. Lloyd's Lanes was completed in September 1962 on the former Marquardt property on what used to be Highway 10 on the east side of Mills. The building was constructed of lightweight concrete blocks and had a concrete slab floor. The contractor was John Olson and Sons of Wadena. Lloyd Dreyer was thought to be going a bit overboard building a 6-lane center with potential of adding two more lanes in the future. The bowling alley featured a complete line of Brunswick gold Crown bowling equipment including Brunswick automatic pinsetters, a huge plus. They operated the business until it was sold to Mel and Sharon Rautio in 1971 and was renamed "Mel's Lanes". Mel and Sharon ran the bowling alley until 1995 when they then sold the business to Mark Flemming from New York and ran it as Imperial Lanes. Mark had been in the bowling industry with his family. This being "too small of a town" he planned to close in 2000. Flemming added automatic scoring instead of the manual scoring to the lanes. In 2000, Owen Tumberg bought the business from Flemming and opened "Mills Lanes". Owen bought the lanes for his wife Dolly to go with her new bowling ball! During the 22 years they did six expansions, adding a full kitchen and bar, purchased a full set of lanes and pinsetters from the Wahpeton College to increase it to an 8-lane center. They added a full dining room and 2 more bathrooms, re-attached the bowling area and house for extra storage, added back refrigerated walk in coolers and freezer and did several upgrades of automatic scorers and new bars in front and back. This last addition was done after the acquisition of a full liquor license in the fall of 2021. Mills Lanes offered a full menu and permission to serve strong beer, wine and set ups. In 2022, Chad Rudolph and Tiffany Ruther purchased the house and business, continuing under the name of Mills Lanes. They have continued to offer both league and open bowling along with tournaments and parties. The full menu has continued. There are very few wood lane centers left to experience. The maintenance requires sanding and recoating frequently, so as time goes on, more and more are being replaced by synthetic lanes.

Finberg Cabinets operated from the building which was originally built in 1951 by School District 47 as a school bus gar...
06/01/2026

Finberg Cabinets operated from the building which was originally built in 1951 by School District 47 as a school bus garage. Herb Barden was the contractor. When the new school bus garage was built this building was sold as a milk depot to Mid-America Dairy. Then Bob Thompson purchased the building and used it as a car clean-up station. Ron Finberg established Finberg Cabinets in 1971 and shared the building with Bob Thompson. In 1980 Finberg bought the building and remodeled it to also have display space in addition to his cabinet making area. Finberg Cabinets produced custom-made cabinets utilizing 15 different door fronts or styles that were ordered from as far away as Montana. The latest in modern equipment was used in making the cabinets.

In the fall of 1975, Lions Club members were asked by President Mike Parta to list some of the projects they would like ...
05/28/2026

In the fall of 1975, Lions Club members were asked by President Mike Parta to list some of the projects they would like to see worked on in the community. One project was to secure some land for recreational purposes. It was felt it was urgent to buy while property was still available close to the city. A joint committee of C&C and Lions Club members was formed, namely Dean Simpson, Ed buerkle, Dr Howard Legried, Mike Para, Larry Kroshus and Barry Markuson.
Four tracts of land were looked at with the committee recommending the purchase of two parcels of land, 5.8 acres which is now Lund Park and 6.9 acres that is west of the VFW Club, lying between Hiway 10 and Windy Lake from Robert and Arberta Grieger. This was done on November 30, 1976.
On January 13, 1977, the C&C approved plans to begin fundraising to develop the site closest to the city. Funds were to be used for building a picnic shelter, landscaping the 2 ball diamonds, fencing the area, erecting lights and putting in a base for a tractor pull area. The community responded very well with 94 contributors being included in the cornerstone club, founders club and building club. In addition, many other contributions of money and labor were received.
On April 26, 1979, the Lions Club approved a project to approve building bathrooms and a storage shed for the park. In June, 1979 the New Horizons Club paid for the construction of swing sets for the park. On July 16, 1979, during the KesaJula Festival the park was officially dedicated as the Howard Lund Park in appreciation of the continuous service of Howard Lund to the community of New York Mills. Pete Welter, the C&C President presented Mr. Lund with the plaque and Dr. Bernard Youngquist of Crookston gave the dedication address.
The New Horizons Club added a 10 station physical fitness course to the park in 1982. Many members and organizations have been helpful in upgrading the park and giving continuing support. It should be mentioned that Mel Rautio played a large part in the development of the softball fields, and fences, and that the Farmers & Merchants Bank has given continious financial support.
In October of 1980, a swimming pool committee was formed with Steve Brutlag and Duane Koehler as co-chairmen. Other members were Larry Hodgson, Bob Carter, Clint Kilde, Dean simpson, Mike Parta, Larry Kroshus, Dr. Howard Legried and Lowell Johnson. Robert & Arberta Grieger donated the land to be used for the pool and the Lions Club pledged $10,000 to start the drive for funds. In April, after $35,000 had been pledged by clubs and interested individuals, the committee went to the public with the fund drive. By July 16th the fund was at $63,000 and eventually $70,000 was raised from 265 donors.
Excavation was begun on June 19, 1981, with Steve Brutlag, Larry Hodgson, and Lowell Wilcox being hired to work full time and coordinate the volunteer help which ran as high as 25 people in a day. Farmers, teachers, businessmen, students and workers of all kinds pitched in to help build the pool. When it was completed, Greg Esala was hired as the pool director.
On Tuesday, September 8, 1981 the pool was dedicated as the Dr. Howard Legried Community Pool, with Steve Brutlag, Duane Koehler and Greg Esala giving remarks during the ceremony.
The pool has received additional money from the Lions Club in the following years. the pool committee also sponsored a Spring Ball, a raffle on a boat donated by Lund American and a community auction. There have been numerous upgrades to the pool through the years, and it still remains a popular recreation spot in New York Mills thanks to many generous and helpful donors who worked together to make it happen.

Thanks to Kip Peltoniemi for sharing these fun historic images!
05/27/2026

Thanks to Kip Peltoniemi for sharing these fun historic images!

The "Boys' leave for service in World War I....Young men who entered the military service from New York Mills and adjace...
05/25/2026

The "Boys' leave for service in World War I....Young men who entered the military service from New York Mills and adjacent areas were pictured above just before they boarded the train that was to take them to Camp Dodge, Iowa, military training camp. The group was pictured in the latter part of February 1918. A celebration and send-off was had for the "Boys" and Miss Martha Sumi portrayed Miss Liberty.

Gold Star Mothers in WWII were women who lost a son or daughter serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during the conflict. Th...
05/25/2026

Gold Star Mothers in WWII were women who lost a son or daughter serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during the conflict. The term originated from families hanging service flags in their windows: a blue star meant a relative was actively serving, which was replaced by a gold star if they were killed. These mothers shared a profound bond and played several important roles during and after the war: Mutual Support and Resilience: following the massive casualties of WWII the national organization American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. originally formed after WWI expanded to welcome and support the hundreds of thousands of new mothers grieving their lost children. Hospital volunteering: members were highly active on the home front, dedicating countless hours to volunteering at military hospitals, assisting wounded veterans, and supporting active-duty troops. The Gold Star lapel button: following WWII, the U.S. Congress established the Gold Star Lapel Button. This official pin featured a gold star on a purple background surrounded by laurel leaves, designed to be worn by mothers and immediate family members as a proud, visible symbol of their ultimate sacrifice. Legacy and Remembrance: to honor this ultimate sacrifice, Congress officially designated the last Sunay in September as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day to recognize their grief, strength and patriotism.
Pictured here are the Gold Star Mothers of World War II that took part in memorial services in may, 1958. reading from left to right, they are: Mrs. Hannah Ruikka, Mrs. Agnes Pickrain, Mrs. Jalmer Bernu, Mrs. L.A. Williamson, Mrs. Waino Nissi, Mrs. William Ojala, and Mrs. Eino Hendrickson. Gold Star Mothers not pictured were Mrs. William Haataja, Mrs. John Huhta, Mrs. Edward Niemela, Mrs. Sander Sandbank, Mrs. William Fraki and Mrs. Alfred Kehus.

In the spot now occupied by the fire hall, Dale's Carpet & Furniture once resided. This building was moved in the 1980's...
05/22/2026

In the spot now occupied by the fire hall, Dale's Carpet & Furniture once resided. This building was moved in the 1980's to Main Street where Carol's House of Flowers was located, and later Designs by Tes. One photo below shows the buildings on this end of Front Street at the time of their construction in 1877. In 1905 a large portion of Front Street was destroyed by fire, including the buildings on this site. All of the buildings westward to the corner from where PKM Company stood (now part of the clinic's property) burned to the ground. Included were a hotel (The Clark House), bakery, and a store building. The fire started from a defective chimney in the old hotel which was operated by H.C. Hanson. The fire was thought to be extinguished but during a high wind the following day the entire west end of the block was consumed by flames. Before Dale's Carpet & Furniture, Dewayne Thompson had a jewelry store on that site. Art Moebius ran a trucking business from this site in the 1930's and 1940's. At one time it was a liquor store. (It isn't clear exactly where, but on this west side of Front Street where the fire happened, there was also a merchandise store built by Ambia S. Blowers, a confectionary store built by Ole H. Johnson and the Gerner sisters operated a millinery store on this block in the 1890's. Most likely, the confectionary store was the bakery mentioned before and the store building, one of these.

05/22/2026

A small Minnesota town is just one of 10 rural communities using federal funding to install solar arrays on their municipal buildings.

Located on East Centennial just to the east of Lake Country Home Care, is the Bolmgren Building. Al Bolmgren built this ...
05/21/2026

Located on East Centennial just to the east of Lake Country Home Care, is the Bolmgren Building. Al Bolmgren built this building in 1937 and operated his commercial farm wiring service during the years that REA was coming into this area. Until 1963 he also operated an electrical appliance store there. Mrs. Bolmgren (Erma Beldo) was still living in the upstairs at the time of the 1959 History Book's publishing. Mrs. Bolmgren was the elementary principal for years as well. The building is now used as an apartment building.

In 1888, Marie Kirkland of Council Bluffs, Iowa placed a notice in her town newspaper asking the wives of Modern Woodmen...
05/20/2026

In 1888, Marie Kirkland of Council Bluffs, Iowa placed a notice in her town newspaper asking the wives of Modern Woodmen of America members to meet for a social get-together. Eight women responded and organized what was to become Royal Neighbors of America. A year later, the group reorganized as a social organization with a constitution, ritual, and articles of incorporation.[1] The name Royal Neighbors of America was chosen by the women because they adhered to the biblical verse “For better is a neighbor that is near than a brother that is far.” (Proverbs 27:10)[2]
Later, the idea of incorporating it as a fraternal benefit society was discussed. In 1894, it was decided to incorporate in the State of Illinois. Royal Neighbors was chartered as a fraternal benefit society on March 21, 1895. The first home office was located in Peoria, IL, and was moved to Rock Island, IL in 1908. By 1902, membership in the organization was 4,124.[2] By 1920, membership was 400,000.[3] In 1945 there were more than 500,000 members, with 5,640 local camps in 43 states and the District of Columbia. The organization focuses on insuring lives, supporting women, and serving communities, and it was established by a group of women who sought to create a supportive network during a time when women had limited rights. It is not clear when the organization was formed in New York Mills. This photo, however, is from 1911.
Pictured Back row from left to right: Mrs. Erickson, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. Tracy, Anna Muckala, Hazel Groves, Mrs. Brill, F***y Austin, Lina Rand, Mrs. Backlund, Mrs. Maire.
In the middle row are: Mrs. Roth, Mrs. Rand, Mrs. Stinar, Hilda Hopponen, Hilma Erickson. Seated in front are Anna Matala and Charley Matala.

Address

28 W Centennial 84 Drive
New York Mills, MN
56567

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12183852213

Website

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