Silver Lake Township near Fairmont in Martin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Center Chain
August 14, 2023
1. Center Chain Marker
Inscription.
Center Chain, once the cultural center of the county, was the first settlement in Martin Co. It was located on the east bank of Iowa Lake. Fairmont residents fled here for safety during the Indian scare of 1857. The post office was in existence from 1858-1905 after which time the area was served by Rural Route 3 from Fairmont. Linneus H. Hand ran a general store in connection with the post office when he was postmaster from 1880-1895. Arthur and Claudia Follett operated the store around 1910 or before. The hall above the store was the social gathering place for the community. The creamery was built in 1894 and was in operation until 1908. The First Congregational Church was dedicated in 1900. Prior to this, church services were held in a near-by schoolhouse. For more information visit the Martin Co. Historical Society/Pioneer Museum in Fairmont.
Center Chain, once the cultural center of the county, was the first settlement in Martin Co. It was located on the east bank of Iowa Lake. Fairmont residents fled here for safety during the Indian scare of 1857. The post office was in existence from 1858-1905 after which time the area was served by Rural Route 3 from Fairmont. Linneus H. Hand ran a general store in connection with the post office when he was postmaster from 1880-1895. Arthur and Claudia Follett operated the store around 1910 or before. The hall above the store was the social gathering place for the community. The creamery was built in 1894 and was in operation until 1908. The First Congregational Church was dedicated in 1900. Prior to this, church services were held in a near-by schoolhouse. For more information visit the Martin Co. Historical Society/Pioneer Museum
in Fairmont.
Erected 2001 by Martin County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. 43° 30.027′ N, 94° 26.853′ W. Marker is near Fairmont, Minnesota, in Martin County. It is in Silver Lake Township. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 15 and 10th Street, on the right when traveling south on State
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Highway 15. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 MN-15, Fairmont MN 56031, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2023. This page has been viewed 59 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 16, 2023.
