Oliver Hudson Kelley Homestead

The Oliver Hudson Kelley Homestead is a National Historic Landmark located off U.S. Highway 10 near the eastern city line of Elk River at 15788 Kelley Farm Rd NW, Elk River MN 55330. [1]

Built in 1869 this vernacular, Italianate-style residence served as the first headquarters of the "Order of the Patrons of Husbandry," better known as The Grange.

Kelley was the founder of the National Grange, a movement which sought political solutions to the problems of the farmer. This house served as headquarters to 1870/ In 1866 Kelley, a Department of Agriculture employee, was asked by President Andrew jackson to survey the agricultural conditions of the devastated south. As a result of this experience, the idea of a national farmers organization was conceived. He returned to Minnesota in 1868 and proceeded to organize the National Grange. He served as National Secretary of the Grange until 1878.

The Kelley Homestead was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The property had been previously designated a National Historic Landmark, 1964.

1. Historic American Buildings Survey, MN-84, National Park Service, C. Lavoie, Historian, 1989; photo: Kelley Homestead, Jet Lowe, photographer, 1987.

Street Names: U.S. Highway 10, Kelley Farm Road