Granite Falls in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Andrew J. Volstead House
Photographed by Connor Olson, April 5, 2021
1. The Andrew J. Volstead House Marker
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
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks, and the Norwegian-Americans series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 44° 48.558′ N, 95° 32.395′ W. Marker is in Granite Falls, Minnesota, in Yellow Medicine County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota and specifically in the Minnesota River Valley. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the Great Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies:
Photographed by Connor Olson, April 5, 2021
2. Andrew J. Volstead House
Another marker is no longer nearby. School Bell (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on the Volstead House. (Submitted on April 5, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.)
2. Andrew John Volstead House National Register Nomination. (Submitted on April 6, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by Connor Olson
3. The nearby Andrew J. Volstead House Landmark plaque.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on May 13, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on April 6, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
