When Otter Tail County commissioners held their first meeting in September 1868, there was no New York Mills. It was a dense forest of white pine, red and white oak, tamarack, ash and balsam.

The town traces its origins to Dr. Henry Van Aerman, who as Commissioner of Pensions, had access to field notes of government surveyors describing land along the proposed Northern Pacific Railroad route. With notes indicating this part of Minnesota rich in timber, Van Aerman recruited New York financier Olcot Boardman and lumberman George Cornwall to establish the New York Mills Company headquartered in Olean, New York. Arrangements were made to construct a sawmill where present day New York Mills is located. Materials to build the mill arrived in 1872 on the first rail car. The mill opened in the area that is now Central Park. During the City’s infrastructure project on South Walker Avenue in the late 1990’s, workers unearthed at least six feet of ‘fresh’ smelling sawdust from the original lumber mill at the site.

In its early days, New York Mills was a company town. There was no community infrastructure or city government. And with primarily young single men employed at the mill, it was a rough and tumble place. Ads beckoning young men from Michigan, New York and other places back East drew many workers to New York Mills to make their livelihood. The trees that populated the area were impressive. Children living in the area enjoyed playing on top of white pine stumps that measured 4 feet in diameter. Pine was made into lumber, red and white oak for lumber and railroad ties, and tamarack, spruce and balsam for cordwood, fence rails and posts.

It was not until 1882 that the company had the area surrounding the mill platted and laid out into lots and blocks. The plat was recorded on October 12, 1883 under the name New York Mills. Residents later petitioned for incorporation and on May 27, 1884, with a population of 300 souls, the village of New York Mills, born from the lumber company that first broke ground here, officially came to be.

For years during this period of time, the lumber company retained ownership of the land around New York Mills. As all of the available land was bought up, growth of the community came to a virtual standstill while the neighboring towns of Perham and Wadena continued to grow. Wm. V. Smith, an attorney from New York was hired to resolve the issue. It took 8 years of litigation before New York Mills was able to move forward. More information on this story can be heard at the Smith Park location.

The rich heritage of the lumber industry was just beginning. That mill which was built in 1872 was torn down in 1882. But that same year, Dakota Lumber Company, managed by John Miggens, built a new mill just south of the tracks. Old timers report there have been 4 large sawmills here. Aside from the two mentioned, another was located about 2 blocks south of the old train depot and a 4th on the west side of town. New York Mills was known for its own lumber industry but also as a center for shipping to market. Being the main railroad line, lumber was brought in for shipment from Paddock’s mill and others to the north. Just across South Main Street was the home for several lumber mills to follow, beginning with Dower Lumber Company in 1914. The most recent was Homestead Builders which was torn down in 2011 as a requirement of Burlington Northern’s lease agreement when the lumber mill closed.

The people of New York Mills have always taken pride in our community with stories told of John Koski and his son, and later, the Williams brothers, sweeping the streets every day with a broom and dustpan. This tradition continues with our current Public Works Department (using updated equipment!) keeping our community looking its best in all seasons.