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The Granite Falls Bridge, which is a suspension footbridge crossing the Minnesota River, was built next to downtown Granite Falls in 1935.
The Granite Falls Bridge, which is a suspension footbridge crossing the Minnesota River, was built next to downtown Granite Falls in 1935.
Photo by Jamey Guy

Hometown Legacy

Archibald Bush’s community spirit lives on in his birthplace of Granite Falls, Minnesota

2020 bMagazine issue

Dreams and professional goals led Archibald “Archie” Bush out of Granite Falls, but he always remembered where he came from. After founding the Bush Foundation in 1953, he committed to giving back to the community near the 240-acre farm where he was raised. Bush Foundation grantees in Archie’s hometown have included the Yellow Medicine East School District, Granite Falls Public Library, Upper Sioux Indian Community and addiction recovery center Project Turnabout. In 2017, the Bush Foundation gave $1.8 million to the Granite Falls Area Community Foundation — $200,000 to address immediate community needs, $600,000 to fund college scholarships for area students and $1 million to establish the Archibald Bush Endowment Fund to serve the Granite Falls community into the future.   

Granite Falls sign

Photo by Jessica Gorman

"Archie Bush’s generosity shows his fondness for his hometown and a belief that those who are successful have a responsibility to help others find ways to be successful."

Dave Smiglewski (BF’16), Granite Falls mayor

These railroad tracks run adjacent to the Yellow Medicine Quarry, a local employer since the 1940s, and connect Granite Falls to Marshall to the south and Willmar to the north.

These railroad tracks run adjacent to the Yellow Medicine Quarry, a local employer since the 1940s, and connect Granite Falls to Marshall to the south and Willmar to the north. (photo by Gene Stukel)

These railroad tracks run adjacent to the Yellow Medicine Quarry, a local employer since the 1940s, and connect Granite Falls to Marshall to the south and Willmar to the north.

These railroad tracks run adjacent to the Yellow Medicine Quarry, a local employer since the 1940s, and connect Granite Falls to Marshall to the south and Willmar to the north. (photo by Gene Stukel)

downtown

Photo by Jessica Gorman

“Granite Falls is a community of family, traditions, and good and genuine people that make me burst with pride in calling this my hometown.”

Anna McCosh, Archie Bush Legacy Scholarship recipient

Dave Smiglewski (BF’16)

Dave Smiglewski (BF’16) is a board member for historical Bush Foundation grantee Project Turnabout. He used his Bush Fellowship to further his education and explore ways to inspire others to become more civically engaged. (Photo by Hunt + Gather)

Anna McCosh

Anna McCosh is one of five 2018 Yellow Medicine East High School
graduates to receive a $16,000 Archie Bush Legacy Scholarship. She is attending the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. (Photo by Gene Stukel)

Southwest Initiative Foundation Minnesota River

A stretch of the Minnesota River flows within Upper Sioux Agency State Park, which was established in 1963 to preserve the remains of the historic Upper Sioux Agency (or Yellow Medicine Agency) that was destroyed in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. (photo by Jamey Guy)

Southwest Initiative Foundation Minnesota River

A stretch of the Minnesota River flows within Upper Sioux Agency State Park, which was established in 1963 to preserve the remains of the historic Upper Sioux Agency (or Yellow Medicine Agency) that was destroyed in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. (photo by Jamey Guy)

river and bridge

Photo by Jessica Gorman

“Because of the close proximity and overlapping families and networks, there is a shared history and a hopeful future between the Upper Sioux Community and the town of Granite Falls.”

Teresa R. Peterson (BF’11)

Ashley Hanson (BF’19)

Ashley Hanson (BF’19) established the YES House artist hub as the home for an official  Granite Falls artist-in-residence. “Granite Falls is founded on a legacy of cooperation and big ideas,” she says. “It’s a spirited small town that is looking to its arts and cultural workers to help shape its future.” (Photo by Hunt + Gather)

Teresa R. Peterson

Teresa R. Peterson (BF’11), Dakota, Upper Sioux Community, is a 2016 Native Nation Rebuilder through the Native Governance Center and serves on the Southwest Initiative Foundation’s board of directors. Her Bush Fellowship explored Indigenous leadership, conflict resolution and Dakota ways of decision making. (Photo courtesy of Southwest Initiative Foundation)

2019 Bush Fellows Retreat

See Yourself as a Bush Fellow

Learn more about the Bush Fellowship.

Dedication picture of the A.G. Bush Industrial Site

Archie and Granite Falls

Archibald Bush knew that a person’s leadership potential could not be measured by the population of their hometown.

The Friday Breakfast Club meets in Grand Marais, MN

Small Towns, Big Potential

Rural Minnesotans reevaluate how to find a new generation of leaders.