The paper's unique focus on local news contributed to rapid growth, making it one of the largest circulations in the state.

It survived demographic and political changes following World War I, in part because the editorial staff had begun offering an English-language supplement in 1922.

It became a hub for community discussion and political debate, and also included literary features such as critical reviews of German books.

[3] In the early 1900s, Der Nordstern expanded coverage to nearby towns in Stearns County, including Freeport, Greenwald, and Melrose.

After the war, during a time when many German-language papers were being discontinued due to anti-German sentiment,[5] Der Nordstern began offering a 4-page English-language supplement to bridge the language gap between generations and increase interest in German culture.