Upsala
Gallery
Our Story
Population: 432
Median Age: 35.5
Median Income: $41,731
Area: 3.5 sq mi
Most Common Industry: Transportation and Warehousing
PAST
Originally known as “Swedback’s Settlement, the city of Upsala was formed in 1872 by Swedish immigrants. The first creamery, started by John Swedback, was an important industry in the development of this community and was purchased by a cooperative of local farmers.
By 1915, Upsala had a bank, school, creamery, telephone company, grocery store, feed mill, meat market, and furniture store, just to name a few. Large industry was never a part of Upsala as it was not on a railroad or major bus line.
PRESENT
Upsala is a vibrant community with an active downtown area. Home to four churches, a local grocery store, 2 bar and grill restaurants, and both an archery and indoor horseshoe club, this rural community as recently built a new K-12 public school, upgraded to natural gas and built new townhomes on the edge of town.
Their faith is a very important part of this community. The four local churches provide its 432 residence with a social network that is highly valued.
Residents identified these specific assets in Upsala:
Natural Assets:
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Pine and Cedar Lakes |
Clarity of area lakes |
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Rich farm land |
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Cultural Assets:
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4 strong churches |
Upsala area Historical Society and Museum |
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Combined Vacation Bible Schools |
Church Youth Groups |
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Multicultural heritage |
Farmer’s Market |
Human Assets:
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First Responders |
Fire Department |
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Chiropractor |
EMTs |
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Previous Upsala residents still offer support |
Band |
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Teachers |
Many PSEO students at high school |
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2015- 100% high school grad rate |
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Social Assets:
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Community Center |
Youth Group |
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Community Cruisers Car Club |
ECFE |
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Fish Fry |
Bingo |
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Easy drive to metro areas |
FFA |
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Heritage Days |
Community Banquets |
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Cooperative religious community |
Homeschool Group |
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Lions Club |
Music in the Park |
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Archery Club |
Horseshoe Club |
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Time Out Bar and Grill |
Upsala Ballpark Association |
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Bullfrog’s Bar and Grill |
Recreation building |
Political Assets:
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Best mayor in Minnesota |
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Financial Assets:
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Dollars for Scholars |
Helping Hands fund |
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Schultz Auctioneers |
Local business donations/support |
Built Assets:
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Farm Store |
Paul and Kathy’s Grocery |
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3 local trucking companies |
Centrasota |
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Lang Oil |
Sytek |
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HS weight room |
Upsala Motors |
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GRRL- local library |
New softball field |
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Borgstrom House, trails and park |
City park |
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Local beach |
Public school |
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Hwy 238 |
Snowmobile trail |
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Cabinet Shop |
Antique Shop |
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Quality used car lot |
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FUTURE
Community Goals:
- Assisted living/senior housing
- Youth-friendly hangout-(café, coffee shop)
- Beautification of Main Street
For more information on the City of Upsala and all it has to offer, visit http://www.cityofupsala.com/.