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Kimball's Historic CIty Hall
 Built in 1908, the Kimball City Hall is now 100 years old. This centenarian is getting a face-lift for the celebration.
But more important than just a visual facelift, Kimball’s only structure to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places is being preserved. Tuck-pointing to repair the brickwork and new windows that meet historic authenticity standards while also helping to conserve energy mean this landmark will be around and in good shape for many years to come, a promise few of us will make as we reach that 100-year milestone.
“Structurally sound and an excellent candidate for restoration,” says Charles Nelson, the state historical architect. But preparing to serve the local community for the next 20 years is not a simple task, nor is it inexpensive (though most likely it is no more expensive than building a brand new building or buying and remodeling an existing structure to serve city needs). In addition, matching funds have already been received from the Minnesota Historical Society to match funds raised locally for phases 1 and 2. The Minnesota Legislature earmarks such funds for historical preservation. The prior two phases has restored the north and south sides of City Hall. Now, with a recent commitment by the Kimball City Council to maintain the building for the next 20 years, the most anticipated step can be taken: restore the front of this landmark, the gem of Main Street.
Kimball’s History
 During the rapid westward expansion of our nation during the middle of the nineteenth century, a hardy group of pioneers from the state of Maine settled on the lush, green prairie of central Minnesota. An historical marker now stands at the site of the original settlement, near the north end of Lake Carnelian.
The village of Maine Prairie had its rustic beginning in 1856. This pioneer village included churches, stores, two lodge halls, a blacksmith shop and a cheese factory. The village also featured a two-and-one-half story tamarack log fort, which stood just beyond the location of the present granite marker. The fort was built to protect area settlers during the Sioux uprising of 1862. The fort was never attacked. Families and farms soon flourished in the area.
One Hundred years ago, the location of a railroad could make or break a new community. In 1886 the Soo Line Railroad decided to bypass Maine Prairie in favor of Kimball Prairie, five miles to the south. The railroad brought about the rapid decline of the older village. Most of the Maine Prairie buildings were moved into Kimball, while the last building burned down in 1919, leaving not a trace of the once prosperous village of Maine Prairie.
With the arrival of the railroad, Kimball became a regular passenger and freight stop for the shipping of farm products, building materials and merchandise. The railroad also created local jobs, and Kimball continued to grow. Where there were settlers there were churches. Often, the churches went up before the houses.
Kimball's original school building burned down in 1911. The village promptly erected a large brick structure, which was recently replaced by the 1989 elementary school facility. The town hall was constructed in 1908. That building is now designated an historical building and will be preserved as a national monument. A blacksmith shop, livery stable, saw mill, general store, confectionery store, filling station, hardware store and creamery were necessary symbols of work and growth in the city.
During this century, many businesses have come and gone. New businesses have been established to replace those that disappeared. Today, Kimball Prairie is a handsome, modern town with pleasant streets, attractive homes, churches and businesses.
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01 North Main Street | P. O. Box 238 | Kimball, MN 55353 | Phone: 320-398-2725 | Fax: 320-398-2720