From, "The History of Houston County", Taylor Publishing, 1982 - Page 15

Caledonia, the county seat of Houston County, is located a few miles from the geographical center of the county, but farther from the landing places along the river, so it was not settled as early as other towns in the county.  Samuel McPhail is most honored of the early settlers as he built two log houses, one for a dwelling, and one for a place of business, and had the town platted in 1854.  Caledonia was organized as a town on May 21, 1858, and reorganized as a village in 1870, and city status in 1974.  Business flourished after the railroad, the Preston branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad (narrow gauge) was opened in 1879 changed to regular gauge in 1901.

Improvements were made, some cement sidewalks were seen early in the 1900s, but Caledonia had dirt streets and wooden sidewalks until 1924-1926.

In 1954, Caledonia celebrated its centennial, and in 1979, Founders Day was started celebrating the 125th year.

Churches and schools were built in early days, and needs for expansion brought more and larger buildings.  Histories of these are found in the history book in abridged articles, and more complete reports are on file at the Caledonia Public Library.

Today Caledonia is a mixture of the old and the new.  Many buildings are built of native limestone, such as the county courthouse and jail, churches and business structures.

The population of Caledonia in 1980 was 2691.  It has one public grade and high school; St. Mary's Catholic Grade School, and St. John's Lutheran Grade School.  The Caledonia Health Care Center is a clinic, hospital and nursing home complex.  For recreation, there is a lighted athletic field, swimming pool and bathhouse, tennis court, bowling alley, golf course-grass greens.  Beaver State Park within 4 miles, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, Dunromin' Park and Camp Winnebago.  Houston County Airport is located within two miles of the city.  Submitted by Houston Co. Committee.

CENSUS LINKS:

   1860 Caledonia Town

   1860 Caledonia Village