Actual Street Car Rails

Wilkin County Museum

Tourist Attractions

Headwaters of the Red River - Minnesota Avenue West at Interstate Bridge. Breckenridge, MN. The MOST important historic site in the city. A booklet is available at the Chamber of Commerce.

Headwaters of the Red River of the North

Headwaters Monument - Breckenridge is the headwaters of the great Red River of the North, which is formed by the Otter Tail and Bois de Sioux Rivers coming together. This monument commemorates the steam boats and barges that carried goods along the trade corridor. On May 22, 2000, Project Breckenridge hosted the opening of the Red River Millennium Canoe Tour. The canoe tour the length of the river was organized as a way to celebrate the river's history in transportation and commerce of the region. The tour traveled approximately 550 water miles to Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada. The monument was dedicated on September 9, 2000, when Breckenridge celebrated Headwaters Day.

Railroad Park - Minnesota Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets North, Breckenridge, MN. Restored Great Northern Caboose, monuments in the middle of beautiful flower gardens. This site has a marker that tells about the coming of the railroad in 1871.

A "Streetcar Memorial Marker" is located in the Railroad Park. It commemorates the shortest interstate streetcar line in the U.S. which ran from Breckenridge, MN to Wahpeton, ND (about 1.14 miles). Half of the line was in each state. The streetcar was in operation from 1910 to 1925. The Wahpeton-Breckenridge Street Railway Company was organized in 1907. In the early years of Breckenridge, the streetcar was the first means of transportation joining the two cities. Before the bridge was built over the Bois de Sioux River, a ferry operated between the two cities. The streetcar traveled about 15 to 20 miles per hour and passengers were charged 5 cents per ride.

Cinema 6 - 320 Minnesota Avenue. Six theatres under one roof.

Historical Walking Trail - Breckenridge, MN. The trail is approximately 3 miles long (walking) or 3.5 miles (driving). Guidebook available at Breckenridge Chamber Office, 420 Nebraska Avenue. (218) 643-5244.

Wilkin County Courthouse

Wilkin Country Historical Museum - 704 Nebraska Avenue, Breckenridge, MN. Hours: Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday 1:30pm - 4:00pm or by appointment. Call (218) 643-1303.

State Wildflower Route - Highway 75 South out of Breckenridge to Minnesota Highway 9. Travel from Breckenridge to Benson, MN. Growing along the ditches are flowers and grasses of the Western tall grass prairie. Purple prairie clover, wild bergamot, tall blazing star, and butterfly weed will be visible. This is one of six wildflower routes in Minnesota.

Sites On The National Register of Historic Places

Wilkin County Courthouse - 300 South 5th Street. Constructed in 1928, with rotunda painting that depict the rich history of Wilkin County.

Stiklestan Lutheran Church - From Breckenridge take Highway 75 South to Doran, MN. Then take Highway 9 and cross South railroad tracks at Doran. Straight ahead on County Highway 8 for 4 miles, then turn South and go 1/3 of a mile. This church was erected in 1898.

Tenney Fire Hall - Tenney, MN. (smallest city in Minnesota). Take Highway 75 South out of Breckenridge, 17 miles to Highway 55, turn East (left) 2 miles, then North (left) and cross the railroad tracks in Tenney. Turn left, then right and the Fire Hall is on the right.

FEMCO Farm No. 2 - Highway 75 North out of Breckenridge to Kent, 12 miles. Turn East on County Highway 24 for 1 1/4 miles, then turn North on County Highway 153 for 1 mile, turn West to farm, 1/4 mile. FEMCO Farms (6) were originated by F. E. Murphy, the publisher of the Minneapolis Tribune in 1918, and is where diversified farming began in the U.S.

Victoria's (Formerly Wolverton School) - Wolverton MN. is located 20 miles North of Breckenridge.

Johnson Blacksmith Shop - Rothsay MN. is located 20 miles North East of Breckenridge. 

Historical Monuments & Markers

Old Crossing - Highway 210 out of Breckenridge to Foxhome, MN., 14 miles. Turn South on Highway 19 for 4 miles, historical markers on the left side with pullover for cars. This marker is at the location where oxcart and stagecoach forded the Otter Tail River.

McCaulyville Village - Highway 75 North out of Breckenridge to Kent, 12 miles. Turn West into Kent to Highway 22 and follow it through Kent, turns West and goes to McCauleyville, 1 mile. This is the oldest village in the Red River valley, McCauleyville was settled in 1858. Fort Abercrombie (in North Dakota) is directly across the river.

Welles Memorial Park becomes Tent City USA when MS TRAM comes to town.

Lion's Park - Breckenridge on Highway 75 North. The Lion's Park marker tells about the Indian attack in 1862 which destroyed Breckenridge.

Headwaters Marker - This is the MOST historic site in Wilkin County. This is located at Interstate Bridge between Breckenridge MN. and Wahpeton, ND.

Friendship Sculpture Marker - Explains the sculpture and connection to rivers. Railroad Park - Minnesota Avenue, between 4th and 5th Street North. Tells about the coming of the railroad in 1871.

Historical Houses in Breckenridge - The Wahpeton Breckenridge Area Chamber Office has a brochure named 'Explore Historic Breckenridge & Wilkin County'. The Chamber is located at 118 North 6th Street in Wahpeton or by calling (701) 642-8744.

Virgin Prairie Hay Land & Natural Springs - A brochure can be gotten from the Wahpeton Breckenridge Area Chamber Office at 118 North 6th Street in Wahpeton or by calling (701) 642-8744.

Bois De Sioux Golf Course - Unique 18 hole facility with 9 holes in Minnesota and 9 in North Dakota. The courses are joined by a bridge spanning the red River of the North.

Other Area Attractions

Chahinkapa Zoo - The zoo is located in neighboring Wahpeton, ND. The Chahinkapa Zoo is home to over 50 species of animals and birds.

1,500 people visit Breckenridge to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis

Prairie Rose Carousel - The Carousel is located in Chahinkapa park in Wahpeton, ND. This is a fully restored 1926 Spillman carousel. You can listen to music as you ride the handcrafted wooden horses.

Bagg Bonanza Farm - Located 10 miles West of Wahpeton, ND. on Highway 13 and is representative of the huge bonanza farms commonplace in the Red River Valley from the mid 1860's to the early 1900's.

Fort Abercrombie - See 'McCauleyville' under Historical Monuments. Fort Abercrombie was established in 1858 on the Red River of the North. It became a link in a chain of military posts. History closely linked with that of Breckenridge MN. Museum located in the city of Abercrombie.

Wahpper, The World's Largest Catfish - This attraction is located at the Kidder Dam Recreation Area.