Barrett was platted in 1887. The community was named for General Theodore H. Barrett. A post office has been in operation at Barrett since 1887. Barrett was incorporated as a city in 1889.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The town of Barrett wraps around the southwest side of Barrett Lake, which is formed by the Pomme de Terre River.
As of the census of 2010, there were 415 people, 161 households, and 89 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 195 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population. There were 161 households, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.7% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age in the city was 40.5 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.9% were from 25 to 44; 18.6% were from 45 to 64; and 29.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 355 people, 142 households, and 81 families residing in the city. The population density was 172.2 people per square mile. There were 163 housing units at an average density of 79.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 98.87% White, 0.56% Native American, and 0.56% from two or more races. There were 142 households, out of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.63. In the city, the population was spread out, with 15.5% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 19.4% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 38.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 54 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $37,813. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,954. About 6.8% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Annual cultural events
The “Annual Old Settlers Reunion” is an annual event held every year the weekend nearest to June 24. The event includes dinners, dances, parades, classic cars, ball games, and contests of all kinds, including a firefighters challenge.
Barrett is the home of community theatre. Founded in 1979, PWP has produced over 80 plays, drawing in artists and patrons from miles around. The Prairie Wind Player's 1993 production of Jesus Christ Superstar made national headline's for its innovative casting. Barrett is also the headquarters for , which tours Minnesota and Wisconsin throughout the year bringing a professional theatrical experience to the youth of each community in just one week. Roosevelt Hall was constructed by local carpenters and other workers hired under federal Civil Works Administration. Roosevelt Hall has been the location of Barrett's community center and public school gymnasium, 1934–53; a bowling alley, 1957–71; a youth center, 1973–74; an insulation manufacturing plant. It is now owned and used by the Prairie Wind Players and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. "Farm & Home Oil" has recently replaced Carroll's General Store as only store and gas station in town. Barrett has a single restaurant and bar, The Barrett Inn and The Barrett Inn II and 1/2.
Parks and recreation
The Lakeside Pavilion is one of the few surviving lakeside facilities of its kind in Minnesota. The community of Barrett has worked to restore and renovate the Pavilion. It remains a popular place for dances and community events. The Pavilion available for rental May 1 through September 30. The Barrett Lake Resort and Campground features a sandy beach and swimming area, game fishing, cabins and campsites and a general store.
Government
Todd Lang is the current mayor.
Education
Barrett is part of the West Central Area School District, which also includes the communities of Elbow Lake, Hoffman, Kensington, and Wendell. The West Central Area secondary school is located in Barrett, while elementary facilities are located in Elbow Lake and Kensington. Barrett was chosen as the location for the secondary facility as it is centrally located in the school district. The facility opened in the fall of 1995.
In August 1949, the nearest local newspaper to Barrett, the Elbow Lake Herald, reported that, five years earlier, farmer Victor Setterlund had found on his land, near Barrett Lake, a heart-shaped stone weighing about, bearing a runic inscription. Translated, the runic message was ". Four maidens camped on this hill." Hjalmar Holand, principal promoter of the Kensington Runestone interpreted the year symbols as 1362, the same as the Kensington stone. Debunker Johan Holvik thought they should be read as 1776. The two experts agreed that the stone seemed to be a hoax. When Holvik revisited the area and asked Setterlund what the year symbols were meant to represent, the farmer confessed that he had carved the stone himself, using a list of runes in a textbook, and intended the date 1876, adding "It sure doesn't take much to put some people on if they want to believe you bad enough."
