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Cottonwood County was established May 23, 1857 and formally organized on July 29, 1870. It was named after the Cottonwood River - a translation of the Dakota Sioux name, "Waraju" - which runs through the northeast corner of Germantown Township. The river received its name from the abundance of cottonwood trees on its banks.

Minnesota Governor Austin appointed three county commissioners when the county was established. They met at a private home about six miles northwest of Windom on the Des Moines River at Big Bend. During this meeting, they designated the commissioners districts and changed various county officers. In the fall of 1870, the first general election was held. The first deed on record was filed on January 10, 1870. The first land assessments were made in 1871, and in 1872, the first taxes were paid.

County NRHP listings
The Cottonwood County Courthouse built in 1904, is an example of Neoclassical architecture and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Mountain Park, located southeast of Mountain Lake, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, since 1973. A 1976 archeological dig unearthed evidence of Fox Indian inhabitation there dating from as early as 500 B.C. Thus, the park has the honor of being home to the site of the oldest human habitation yet to be discovered in the state of Minnesota.
The Jeffers Petroglyphs, located near the town of Jeffers, is a site containing pre-European Native American rock carvings which is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

On Line Data

Cities Bingham Lake Comfrey Jeffers Mountain Lake Storden Westbrook Windom (county seat) Unincorporated community Delft

Townships Amboy Township Amo Township Ann Township Carson Township Dale Township Delton Township Germantown Township Great Bend Township Highwater Township Lakeside Township Midway Township Mountain Lake Township Rose Hill Township Selma Township Southbrook Township Springfield Township Storden Township Westbrook Township

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