General Info
Becker County was established on March 18, 1858 by a US act of legislature. The county is located in the Park Region and is considered one of Minnesota’s most beautiful recreation areas. It was named for Brigadier General George Loomis Becker of St. Paul. It was given its name in 1857, soon after Minnesota was a state. Becker was one of three men who were elected to Congress, however only two could go. He was chosen to stay behind, but with the promise that the state would name the next county after him. Chippewa Indians occupied the land until 1867 when white settlers began to arrive and a treaty was signed establishing the White Earth Reservation, located in the northern part of Becker County. In 1871 Colonel George Johnston, founder of Detroit Lakes, began settlement by building a flour mill. Soon after that the Northern Pacific Railroad was constructed through Becker and the town grew rapidly. By 1900 Becker County had a population of 14,375 people. Currently, Becker County contains over 400 lakes, 11 communities and Detroit Lakes is its county seat. Today Becker County’s population is approximately 32,076 residents.
