Cottonwood, MN

Cottonwood sits on the eastern shore of Cottonwood Lake in Lyon County, with Minnesota Highway 23 serving as the town's main route through southwest Minnesota. The lake is the first thing to use when placing it on a map; the highway is the second. The city takes its name from cottonwood trees along the waterfront, giving the lake a literal connection to the town's name. West Main Street is the address of city offices and the community's formal front door.

Current town life is organized through city hall, the community center, local events, and a business network represented by Cottonwood Area Community and the city's Economic Development Authority. The city publishes council agendas, event information, maps, and newcomer details from its Main Street offices. Highway 23 brings regional traffic through town, while Cottonwood Lake supplies the landmark that keeps the town's geography easy to read. Picture a small lake city where municipal business, local services, and the waterfront meet along one short map.