Ulen, Minnesota

Ulen (/ˈjuːlən/ YOO-lən) is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States, along the South Branch of the Wild Rice River. The population was 476 at the 2020 census.[2]

Ulen
City
Location of Ulen, Minnesota
Ulen
Ulen
Coordinates: 47°4′42″N 96°15′36″W
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyClay
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorMary A. Knopfler
Area
[1]
 • Total1.07 sq mi (2.77 km2)
 • Land1.07 sq mi (2.77 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,152 ft (351 m)
Population
 (2020)[2]
 • Total476
 • Density512.72/sq mi (197.90/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
56585
Area code(s)218
FIPS code27-66136
GNIS feature ID0653486[3]

Near this small community, what is believed to be an authentic Viking sword known as the Ulen sword was found in a field by Hans O. Hansen in 1911. The sword is currently on display in the Ulen Museum. Ulen and the area surrounding is mostly inhabited by later generation Norwegian-Americans.

Ulen is the southern terminus of the Agassiz Recreational Trail, a 53-mile multi-use trail built on an abandoned railroad grade which has its northern terminus at Crookston, Minnesota.[4] As of 2021, Mayor of Ulen is Mary A. Knopfler.

History

Ulen Township was named in honor of Ole Ulen, its first settler. Ole Ulen was born in Norway, April 18, 1818, and died in Ulen village, January 19, 1891. He came to the United States in 1851 and to Minnesota in 1853, settling in Houston County; was a farmer there until 1867; and then moved to Clay County in 1872. The city of Ulen, sections 27, 28, 33, and 34, was established on part of Ulen's homestead and was incorporated as a village on November 12, 1896. A meeting was held on June 7, 1881 at the home of Nels Wiger for the purpose of organizing Ulen Township. Robert Hanson, Elias Rost and Ole Mellum were the election judges and Nels Wiger served as the clerk. One of the concerns of the early township officials was the building of roads. There were no tax funds for this purpose so each able-bodied man was required to work for two days a year building roads. The first road was laid out and built in 1883.[5]

The post office was established in 1884, its name changing to Odneland in 1885 for Ole Odneland (Tallak Aaneland), postmaster and general store owner, although it was sometimes spelled Oneland and Onland. When the railroad came in 1886, Odneland's (Aaneland's) store was in the path of the rails, so it was moved to the east side of the tracks on the northwest corner of Regelstad's farm. Ole Asleson platted a townsite, and the name was changed to Ulen with Odneland remaining as postmaster until the post office was reorganized in 1887 and Ole Christian Melbye became postmaster in his grocery store; Melbye moved into the first house built in village limits in 1887. Ulen came to be mostly inhabited by Norwegian immigrants and the town continutes to hold on to its nordic identity.[6]

The town has been able to grow slowly over the years in part thanks to Northwestern Bank. In 1941, the bank moved to Ulen and changed its name to Northwestern Bank. This first branch in Ulen is still economically important. Over the years it has been slowly able to grow and expand. Eventually starting branches in Moorhead and other rural communities in northwestern Minnesota. Their branch in Ulen however has still been able to thrive and is an important business in the local economy and community, providing crucial service.[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.14 square miles (2.95 km2), all land.[8] State Highway 32 serves as a major arterial in the community.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1900317—
191043838.2%
192059034.7%
1930452−23.4%
194056224.3%
1950525−6.6%
1960481−8.4%
19704861.0%
19805145.8%
19905476.4%
2000532−2.7%
20105472.8%
2020476−13.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
2020 Census[2]

2010 census

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 547 people, 234 households, and 130 families living in the city. The population density was 479.8 inhabitants per square mile (185.3/km2). There were 268 housing units at an average density of 235.1 per square mile (90.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.1% White, 0.4% African American, 3.7% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population. A majority of Ulen has Norwegian ancestry.

There were 234 households, of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.4% were non-families. 39.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 46.6 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 28% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 532 people, 203 households, and 120 families living in the city. The population density was 488.9 people per square mile (188.4/km2). There were 228 housing units at an average density of 209.5 per square mile (80.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.25% White and 0.75% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.19% of the population. A majority of Ulen has Norwegian ancestry.

There were 203 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 34.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,813, and the median income for a family was $42,188. Males had a median income of $33,036 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,593. About 5.0% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Ulen has a mayor–council form of government. Ulen's current mayor is Mary A. Knopfler, who was elected in 2018 and who's term ends in 2022

The representative body of the city of Ulen is the city council. The council members include James Ashmore, Jeremy Begg, Randy Zimmerman, and Kim Syverson. Sandy Braseth is the appointed clerk/treasurer.[11]

Education

The Ulen-Hitterdal Public School is a school in Independent School District #914. It serves the community of Ulen and the neighboring town of Hitterdal. It is a K-12 institution with modern facilities. A new elementary school with facilities shared by the high school was opened in 2002. This new building includes, two large computer labs, a media center, classrooms, cafeteria and commons area, administrative offices, community weight room and a large gymnasium. In 2003, high school classrooms were remodeled and the Barry J. Houglum Auditorium was added. The school has a number of sports teams. The school mascot is the Titans with the school colors being black, blue, and gold.[12]

Ulen has one library, the Ulen LINK Site. It is a LINK site of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library. It offers countless books and curbside delivery.[13]

Culture

Ulen has a very large Norwegian American population.[14] This is further exemplified by its businesses and community. The Ulen Municipal Liquor Store, the Nordic Lounge, is one example of the towns Norwegian identity on display. The Nordic Lounge features a Viking ship sailing as its logo and sign design. [15] The Ulen museum, formerly the Viking Sword Museum, Viking Manor, numerous Norse and Viking artifacts found in the area further show to represent the deep pride the town has for its Norwegian heritage. Another manifestation of this pride is, Lena's Lefse, a bakery dedicated to lefse and other Norse baked items.[16]

Museums

The Ulen Museum (formerly the Viking Sword Museum) opened on Sunday, August 4, 2007. It is run by the Ulen Historical Society and is dedicated to preserving the rich history of Ulen. Located on Main Street, the museum houses over 4,000 items that have been donated by various sources around the state. It includes sports memorabilia, paintings, and historical artifacts.[17]

Festivals

Ulen Days (formerly Ulen Turkey Barbecue Days) is an annual event held on the third weekend in August each year and dates back to 1962. It includes an entire weekend of activities including shows, sport games and tournaments, raffles, and food trucks. The entire community is known to be involved in the event and it is an important tradition. [18][19]

Theatres

The Top Hat Theatre serves as theater group in Ulen. Created in 2005 the theater promotes quality programming throughout the year. Performances are in the Barry J. Houglum Auditorium, a 312 seat theater located in the Ulen-Hitterdal Public School. Their stated goals are, first to present a variety of quality programs throughout the year and to provide opportunities for musicians to perform, and secondly, when possible to provide in-service workshops involving performers and the students of Ulen-Hitterdal School.[20]

Healthcare

Stanford Health Ulen Clinic is a Stanford Health Clinic dedicated to providing quality service to Ulen and the surrounding community. It provides family medicine, radiology, and has laboratories as well as providing immunizations and mammograms.[21]

Ulen is a large provider for healthcare for senior citizens in the area. The Ulen Senior Citizens Center acts as a communal gathering place for senior citizens in Ulen. [22] The Viking Manor Nursing Home is another healthcare facility in Ulen for its seniors. It is a long term care facility and nursing home. Viking Manor is known as " The Home With a Heart" , and includes 45 beds for seniors. Viking Manor has skilled nurses, therapists and licensed care professionals that are available to provide personalized therapy. It provides for seniors in both, recovery after a hospital visit or those in need of on-going medical support.[23]

A 2013 episode of America Unearthed partly focuses on the ancient bones and Ulen Sword found in the area. The episode also includes many references to the towns Norwegian identity and possible Viking exploration in the area[24]

References
  1. "2021 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  2. "2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. Dokken, Brad (24 December 2009), "Construction begins on Agassiz trail bridges", Northland Outdoors, archived from the original on 14 July 2011, retrieved 1 March 2011
  5. "Home". Ulen Township. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  6. "Guide to Ulen Minnesota". www.lakesnwoods.com. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  7. "Four Generations Strong :: Northwestern Bank". www.nwbanks.com. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  9. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  11. "Guide to Ulen Minnesota". www.lakesnwoods.com. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  12. "Ulen-Hitterdal Public Schools". www.ulenhitterdal.k12.mn.us. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  13. "Ulen LINK Site". Lake Agassiz Regional Library. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  14. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  15. "Nordic Lounge / Ulen Liquor Store". www.facebook.com. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  16. "From Ulen: Ole & Lena would feel right at home in this Minnesota town". Minnesota Prairie Roots. November 8, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  17. "Ulen Museum - About Us". www.ulenmuseum.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  18. "Ulen Museum - Formerly known as..." ulenmuseum.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  19. "The History of Ulen and Turkey BBQ Days". Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  20. "Top Hat Theatre". Explore Minnesota. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  21. "Sanford Health Ulen Clinic in Ulen, MN". www.sanfordhealth.org. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  22. "Ulen Senior Citizens Center - Ulen, MN". Yelp. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  23. "Viking Manor Nursing Home - Ulen Post Acute Care". NursingHomes.com. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  24. America Unearthed: GIANT BONES UNCOVERED (S1, E4) | Full Episode | History, retrieved February 16, 2022

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