Carlos Avery Game Farm (Columbus, Minnesota)

 wilderness area, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places

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The original Carlos Avery Game Farm buildings, at the center of the large wildlife management area that spills into Anoka and Chisago counties. The refuge, with its complex of 11 buildings, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination noted that when it opened in 1937, it was one of the largest and best-equipped game farms in the nation, as well as one of the first large-scale wildlife management efforts in Minnesota. The Colonial Revival buildings were built between 1936-41.[

The refuge was named after Carlos Avery (1868-1930), executive agent of the Minnesota Game and Fish Commission from 1907 to 1909 and 1915 to 1923. It was established with 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) obtained from the Crex Carpet Company. The carpet company had harvested a wire grass from the land for use in the manufacture of rugs. The land was tax forfeited in 1933 and then purchased by the Minnesota Conservation Commission. The land was ideal for production of bobwhite quail, which had been plentiful in Minnesota but was on the decline.

5463 W Broadway Ave, Columbus, MN 55025