LESTER PRAIRIE
Lester Prairie, the youngest village in McLeod County, is located in Bergen Township, in the northeast portion of the county. It is situated in a beautiful level stretch of prairie comprising several sections, right in the heart of what was originally called "Big Woods," by the Sioux Indians.
The location of the town is a prehistoric lake bottom, as is evidenced by the clam shells, snail shells, etc., that are found in the sand beneath surface. The beautiful fringe of timber that still surrounds most of the town as a line of demarcation of the former lake shore is further evidence that before the advent of the white man the Indian paddled his canoe over the very spot now occupied by this village.
The first settlers of this community arrived here in 1856. The village was practically destroyed by the Sioux Uprising of 1862. At the time most of inhabitants of this area had gone to Hutchinson so that their children could attend school during the winter months.
On April 10, 1897, the Crow River and Buffalo Creek went on a rampage and Lester Prairie was washed away.