Ulen, MN

Ulen is a quiet Clay County town of about 500 residents, located along the South Branch of the Wild Rice River in northwestern Minnesota. Its most famous conversation starter dates back to 1911, when a local farmer uncovered what many believe to be a centuries-old Viking sword buried in his field. Today, you can check out the artifact for yourself at the local historical museum on Main Street, a spot that reflects the community's strong Scandinavian roots.

ATTRAndrew Filer / CC BY-SA 2.0

For residents, life in Ulen moves at a peaceful, small-town pace. Families have the benefit of a local K-12 school right in town through the Ulen-Hitterdal district. Outdoor recreation is also easy to find thanks to the Agassiz Recreational Trail, a 53-mile route built on an old railroad bed that heads north toward Crookston for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. It adds up to a friendly, down-to-earth rural community with plenty of open space and a unique story to tell.