Willmar

Willmar, city, seat (1871) of Kandiyohi county, southwest-central Minnesota, U.S. It is situated on Foot and Willmar lakes, in a lake region about 60 miles (95 km) southwest of St. Cloud. Settlers began arriving in the area in 1856, but the community was later deserted because of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. In 1869 the railroad reached the spot, and the town was laid out and named for Leon Willmar, an agent of the St....