The Andrew J. Volstead House
Although he is best known for his authorship of America's prohibition enforcement act, U.S. Congressman Andrew J. Volstead's greatest legacy as a lawmaker was the Capper-Volstead Act which permits farmers to join together in cooperatives to bargain for better prices.
Volstead, the son of Norwegian immigrant farmers, served as a representative from Minnesota's 7th Congressional District from 1903-1923. He was not an avid prohibitionist, but it fell to him as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to write legislation after the country approved the prohibition amendment in 1918. He preferred to be remembered for his work on behalf of farmers' cooperatives, believing that “If farmers are going to be successful ... they must become successful that way.
The Volstead House was purchased by the Minnesota Association
of Cooperatives and given to the City of Granite Falls in 1977.
It became a National Historic Landmark in 1978 and was restored
through grants from the U. S. Department of the Interior, the Minnesota
Historical Society, cooperative associations and individuals.
Erected 1979 by Granite Falls Kiwanis and Lions Clubs.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture
this page online
Location. 44° 48.558′ N, 95° 32.395′ W. Marker is in Granite Falls, Minnesota, in Yellow Medicine County. Marker is on 9th Avenue west of Prentice Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 163 9th Ave, Granite Falls MN 56241, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Andrew J. Volstead House (here, next to this marker); Votes for Women (a few steps from this marker); Former Site of the Granite Falls City Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry Hill 1829-1879 (approx. half a mile away); World's Oldest Rock (approx. half a mile away); Ancient Exposed Rocks (approx. half a mile away); A Witness to Time (approx. 1.8 miles away); Yellow Medicine City (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Granite Falls.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on the Volstead House. (Submitted on April 5, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin.)
2. Andrew John Volstead House National Register Nomination. (Submitted on April 6, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 161 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on April 6, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
