7.a) History, Museums and Business FlyerSCANDIA HISTORY AND MUSEUMS
Nestled among rolling hills and many beautiful lakes, the City of Scandia is the site of the first Swedish
settlement in Minnesota. In October of 1850, the first log cabin was built on the shores of Hay Lake.
Residents of Scandia have done little to alter the character of the community, and visitors will find
reminders of mid- nineteenth century pioneer days and the rural town atmosphere.
Swedish Settler's Monument:
Scandia is the site of the first Swedish settlement in Minnesota. In 1850, the first log
cabin was built on the shores of Hay Lake. A monument now stands near the site of
this first log house, inscribed with the names of the first Swedish settlers.
Gammelgården Museum:
"Gammelgården" means Old Farm in Swedish. Here visitors can
step back in history and experience the lives of early Swedish
immigrants in the only open air museum devoted to Swedish
immigration in the United States.
Today, in buildings that have been carefully preserved and
restored, visitors can get a glimpse of the daily lives of these
immigrants and participate in events and classes to learn more
about the culture and times of the immigrants.
Visit the many buildings on Gammelgården Museum's 11 acres
site. Your tour guide will give lots of information about the
Välkommen Hus, Ladugård, GammelKyrkan (1856), Immigrant
Hus (1855), Prast Hus (1868), barn (1879), stuga (1930), and
WorkShed Gifts.
The museum is open seasonally, May through October with
regular weekend hours. Tour groups are welcome and meals are
available with advance reservations. For more information, call
651-433-5053, or visit the Gammelgården Museum website.
Hay Lake School Museum:
Hay Lake School Museum is located just two miles South of Scandia on County
Road 3. Besides the Hay Lake School, there is a two-story log house with
furnishings from this era.
The Hay Lake School was constructed in 1896. Hay Lake School was used by
Washington County Rural School system until 1963. The building then sat empty
and boarded up until 1970 when a group of citizens, many of who graduated
from the Hay Lake School, decided to clean the school and start giving tours of
the building.
The school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 1,
1970. In 1974 the Washington County Historical Society took over the school-
house and in 1978 the Society purchased the school from the Forest Lake School
District.
Erickson Log House:
The log house was constructed in 1868 by Johannes Erickson and his thirteen
year old son Alfred. In 1904, Alfred constructed a nicer home and the old log
home became at various time a granary, garage and playhouse. In 1974, the
Washington County Historical Society purchased the old log house and moved it
one and a half miles to its present site. The Erickson Log House was placed on
the National Register of Historic Places on June 17, 1976.
VISIT SCANDIA BUSINESSES
Arts and Recreation
Countryside Arts Gallery
Eko Bakken
Gammelgarden Museum
Ironwood Golf range
Church
Elim Lutheran Church
Food
Chiko’s Bar and Grill
Meister’s Bar and Grill
Scandia Pizza
The Scandia Café
Lodging
Rent River House
Manufacturing
Am-Tech Designs
Creative Solutions Int. Inc
PN Products
Medical
Croix Ridge Chiropractic
Kendrick Chiropractic
Northland Chiropractic
Osceola Medical Center-
Scandia Clinic
Scandia Family Dental
Scandia Veterinary Clinic
Professional Services
C&B Excavating and Sewer
Cheri Cunningham Graphic
Design
Health Insurance Mart
Lakeshomes Realty
Landmark Surveying Inc
Lindahl Cedar Homes and
Sunroom
Markgraf Mechanical Inc
Peterson Excavating Inc
Prairie Restoration Inc
Scandia Heating and Air
Condtioning
Scandia Self Storage
Scandia Store
Security State Agency
Insurance
Security State Bank of
Marine
Seefeldt Photography
Tai Chi Lisa
Todd’s Home Center
Wally’s Small Engine
Repair
Yoga Hus
Find More Information
on our website:
www.ci.scandia.mn.us
or like us on facebook
The Brunfelts Keller
William Premier
Realty
Retail and Convenience
Abrahamson’s Nursery
Anyo Salon
Big Marine Lake Store
Crabtrees & Garden Store
Designs of Sweden
Edward Jones Investments
Greystone Educational
Materials
Leroux’s All Season Lawn
and Sports
Mike Woodside
Photography
Pereboom Computer Service
R&B Auto
Salon Belleza
Scandia Creamery
Scandia Hair Design
Scandia Old Towne Liquors