Madelia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Madelia is a city in Watonwan County, Minnesota, United States, along the Watonwan River. The population was 2,539 at the 2020 census. Madelia was founded in 1857, and named for the daughter of a first settler. A post office has been in operation at Madelia since 1860. Madelia was incorporated in 1872. In 1876, the remaining members of the James-Younger Gang were captured near Madelia after their failed attempt at bank robbery in Northfield, Minnesota. Madelia holds an event every September called Younger Brothers Day. The event includes several activities including a reenactment of the bank robbery as well as the gunfight and capture of the Younger Brothers. Madelia contains two properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the 1872 Flanders' Block and the 1908 West Bridge. In 2016, a fire greatly damaged downtown, destroying at least eight businesses.