Rich Heritage of Our Community

Waldorf is a peaceful and progressing prairie town in south-central Minnesota, located in Waseca County, Vivian Township. Its history began in 1895 when the first Plum Valley Creamery building and a house for the butter maker were built a block to the north. Also in 1895, a general merchandise/grocery store and a hardware store were built. The hardware store became the Plum Valley Post Office, with Mr. A. J. Tangeman serving as postmaster, followed by August Ewert. (Prior to 1895, the Vivian Post Office was located south of Waldorf in Vivian Township, Section 16, NW ¼, with H. W. Bluhm serving as postmaster from his farm home.) Soon, Plum Valley also added a blacksmith shop and a bank.

The “Alphabet” railroad came through in 1907, a block south of Plum Valley. In 1908, August Ewert had the Plum Valley Hardware building moved to Waldorf, converting it into a general merchandise and grocery business, and served as postmaster there. The remaining Plum Valley business buildings, except the creamery, were also moved to Waldorf. At that time, the former Plum Valley general merchandise/grocery building became Ewert Hardware, operated by George and Otto Ewert, sons of August Ewert. Although Waldorf had been named in the fall of 1907 when the Federal Post Office was established, it was officially dedicated on July 29, 1908.

(Reference: A Touch of Waldorf History by Judy Joecks)