St. James is a city in Southern Minnesota. It is the county seat of Watonwan County.

Understand

St. James was not named for any particular saint but rather for one of the town's early settlers, James Purington. St. James was settled under the direction of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad, as its location is roughly halfway between those two cities.

Get in

Minnesota State Highways 4, 30, and 60.

See

• 1 Grand Opera House, 502 1st Ave S (at 5th St). This building functioned as St. James' main performing arts venue from the 1890s to 1920s, and has also hosted various local events over the years. (updated Nov 2016)
• 2 Watonwan County Courthouse, 720 2nd Ave S (at 7th St). The courthouse and seat of government for Watonwan County. A noted example of Romanesque Revival architecture, built in the 1890s. (updated Nov 2016)

Do

• 1 Princess Theater, 505 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 507 375-4370. Historic cinema with weekend film screenings. Also functions as a community center. (updated Nov 2016)

Eat

• 1 Encore Coffee Cafe, 500 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 507 375-7375. M-F 7AM-3:30PM, Sa 8AM-2:30PM. Coffee shop with a small food menu. (updated Nov 2016)
• 2 Jake's Pizza & Sandwich Shop, 408 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 507 375-5939. M-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 4PM-9PM. (updated Nov 2016)
• 3 Plaza Jalisco, 608 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 507 375-3122. 11AM-9PM daily. Mexican. (updated Nov 2016)

Sleep

• 1 Super 8, 1210 Heckman Ct (east of 11th St S, near junction of Hwys 4 and 60), ☏ +1 507 375-4708. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Indoor heated pool, fitness center, free wireless internet, free breakfast. One pet allowed per booking with an additional fee. $67+. (updated Nov 2016)

Cope

• St. James Plaindealer. Local weekly newspaper.

Connect

• 1 Watonwan County/St. James Library, ☏ +1 507 375-1278. M, W-Th 10AM-8PM, Tu, F 10AM-5:30PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. The local public library provides free wireless internet access. (updated Nov 2016)

Go next

Routes through St. James

Sauk Centre ← Sleepy Eye ←	N  S	→ Trimont → Sherburn
Worthington ← Jct N S ←	W  E	→ Jct N S → Mankato