Pine Island was given its name from the Native American term "Wa-zu-wee-ta," which translates to Isle of Pines. Located along the beautiful banks of the Zumbro River, we are an easy 15-minute drive north from Rochester and less than an hour south of the Twin Cities.
The first settlers came to Pine Island in 1854. In 1911 a group of small dairies built a prize-winning, world-record 6,000 pound cheese on a railroad flatcar. By 1920 there were 43 cheese plants in the surrounding area. Half of them formed the Minnesota Cheese Producers Association with a large plant in Pine Island. That plant and its adjoining Butter Factory were located across from Trailhead Park.
