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Austin, Minnesota

Austin is a city in and the county seat of Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 26,174 at the 2020 census. The town was originally settled along the Cedar River and has two artificial lakes, East Side Lake and Mill Pond. It was named for Austin R. Nichols, the area's first European settler.

Hormel Foods Corporation is Austin's largest employer, and the city is sometimes called "SPAM Town USA". Austin is home to Hormel's corporate headquarters, a factory that makes most of North America's SPAM tinned meat, and the Spam Museum. Austin is also home to the Hormel Institute, a leading cancer research institution operated by the University of Minnesota with significant support from the Mayo Clinic.

History

Fertile land, trapping, and ease of access brought first trappers and then the early pioneers to this region. The rich gameland attracted Austin Nichols, a trapper who built the first log cabin in 1853. At that time there were "about twenty families in the area." More settlers began to arrive by wagon train in 1855, and by 1856 enough people were present to organize Mower County. In 1856 the settlement adopted the name "Austin", in honor of its first settler. That year the first hotel opened to travelers and the first physician, Dr. Ormanzo Allen, moved to town. The first newspaper, the Mower County Mirror, was started in 1858.

Mills, powered by the Cedar River, were the first industries in Austin. They provided much-needed flour and lumber. Growth was slow during the first two decades, but the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad arrived in the late 1860s, hastening economic development. The town's first schoolhouse was constructed in 1865, and the first bank opened the following year.

In 1891 George A. Hormel opened a small family-owned butcher shop in Austin, which eventually grew into today's Fortune 500 company, Hormel Foods. By 1896 area doctors, with the help of local Lutheran congregations, formed the Austin Hospital Association, later becoming St. Olaf Hospital, and (since 1995) part of Mayo Clinic Health System.

In 1897 Charles Boostrom opened Austin's first college, the Southern Minnesota Normal College and Austin School of Commerce. It closed in 1925, and the city was without an institution of higher education until Austin Junior College opened in 1940. In 1964 it became part of the State College and University System and is now Riverland Community College.

In 1913 the Minnesota Legislature made a 50 acre parcel of land into Horace Austin State Park. At the time, the land was "one of the beauty spots of Southern Minnesota, but of late years has not been cared for and in places the banks have been disfigured by dumping along the shore of the stream," according to the bill's author, Senator Charles F. Cook. The park was converted to a state "scenic wayside" in 1937, then transferred to city ownership in 1949.

In the 1930s Austin Acres was built with funding from the Subsistence Homesteads Division of the Department of the Interior. The Austin Parks Board was formed in the 1940s to oversee the growing number of green spaces within the city.

In 1971 the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, a 500 acre nature preserve also including the 60 acre Hormel Arboretum, was purchased from Geordie Hormel with a state grant. In 1973 the city opened Riverside Arena, the city's first indoor ice arena, now home to a variety of ice activities including the Austin Bruins junior hockey team.

In August 1985, 1,500 Hormel meatpackers went on strike at the Austin plant after management demanded a 23% cut in wages. In the early 1980s, recession had impacted several meatpacking companies, decreasing demand and increasing competition which led smaller and less-efficient companies to go out of business. In an effort to keep plants from closing, many instituted wage cuts. Wilson Food Company declared bankruptcy in 1983, allowing them to cut wages from $10.69 to $6.50 and significantly reduce benefits. Hormel Foods had avoided such drastic action, but by 1985, pressure to stay competitive remained. A protracted battle between union employees and Hormel continued until June 1986, one of the longest labor struggles of the 1980s. In January 1986 some workers crossed the picket lines, leading to riots; the conflict escalated to such a point that Governor Rudy Perpich called in the National Guard to keep the peace. The strike received national attention and a documentary, American Dream, was filmed during the 10-month conflict. The movie was released in 1990 and won Best Documentary Feature at the 63rd Annual Academy Awards. Dave Pirner of the Minneapolis band Soul Asylum wrote a song about the strike, "P-9". It is on the band's 1989 album Clam Dip & Other Delights. Hormel never gave in to the workers' demands, and when the strike ended in June 1986, 700 employees were left without work.

In May 1998, an incident known as the Great Hormel Disaster of '98 occurred, devastating the water supply. Tadpoles infected with salmonella spread across waterways in the town, infecting much of the town's population. The salmonella outbreak was largely attributed to Hormel dumping pig waste and byproducts into Mill Pond. The crisis lasted for approximately three months.

21st century
Austin completed a new $28 million courthouse and jail in 2010, a new intermediate school in 2013, and has a major redevelopment project at the site of the former Oak Park Mall.

The city is embarking on a community development project, Vision 2020. This grassroots movement was chartered in 2011 to implement ten major new community initiatives that could be completed by 2020. It includes a variety of projects related to economic development, heath and wellness, education, and tourism. A community recreation center is in progress, as is a tourism and visitor center. One goal is to make the downtown business district more of a destination, aided in part by the Spam Museum's relocation to Main Street in 2016.

In 2015 the National Association of Realtors named Austin one of the "Top 10 Affordable Small Towns Where You'd Actually Want to Live."

Major floods
Austin has a long history of flooding. The Cedar River, along with Dobbins Creek and Turtle Creek, flow through Austin, and many homes and businesses were constructed in floodplains. A series of floods between 1978 and 2010 resulted in a major flood mitigation program. This involved the purchase and demolition of buildings within the floodplain, converting low-lying areas of town to parks, and the installation of a flood wall to protect downtown.

After two major floods in July 1978, city officials and local residents decided to take action. Locals organized the Floodway Action Citizens Task Source (FACTS), which met with local and state leaders, as well as members of the Army Corps of Engineers, but it was decided that major flood prevention measures would not be cost-effective. A Community Development Block Grant was won from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, allowing for the buyout of homes lying in the flood plain. City planners also vowed to no longer build new structures in the existing flood plains. In 1983 and 1993 major floods again damaged many Austin homes and businesses. Over 400 homes were affected and a new round of buyouts took place through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

The worst flooding on record came when the Cedar River crested at 23.4 ft in the spring of 2000. Many of the worst-hit parts of town were now void of homes and businesses, but there was still damage and extensive clean-up was required. Flooding came again in September 2004, resulting in two fatalities. Additional protection (dikes) were added along the Cedar River as a result.

The most recent round of serious flooding came in 2010, after which a plan was developed for a permanent flood wall to protect downtown from the floodwaters of the Cedar River and Mill Pond. The wall was completed in 2014.

Major tornadoes
On Monday, August 20, 1928, an F-2 sized tornado touched down on Winona Street (1st Avenue). The damage ran from the southern edge of Austin High School to the Milwaukee Road railyards on the city's east side. St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Carnegie Library, Main Street, the spire on Austin's former courthouse, Grand Theatre (replaced in 1929 by the Paramount Theatre), Austin Utilities, Lincoln School, and several boxcars at the Milwaukee railyards were damaged or destroyed. Austin residents noticed debris raining out of the sky, such as straw and laundry.

Another F-2 touched down in August 1961, at 808 18th Street SW. It quickly gained strength once on the ground, becoming an F-3 at 17th Street SW, where it destroyed a garage. The twister lifted briefly, touching down in the city fairgrounds and hitting the grandstand roof, tearing off parts and damaging beams.

In the summer of 1984, a tornado destroyed Echo Lanes Bowling Alley as it swept through southeast Austin. Neighboring Bo-Dee Campers also suffered considerable damage, and Schmidt TV was destroyed.

A tornado or straight-line winds took down massive amounts of branches and trees on Saturday, June 27, 1998, uprooting smaller trees and knocking large branches across streets. Several side streets in northwest Austin became impassable, including 8th Avenue NW (near Sumner Elementary School) and 14th Street NW (between I-90 and 8th Avenue). The event caused disruption in Sunday church services the next morning, and many congregations organized cleanup activities instead of regularly scheduled events.

A tornado touched down in Glenville on May 1, 2001, gaining strength before it turned into a F-3 headed for Austin. The twister dissipated shortly after hitting town, but did notable damage in both cities.

On Wednesday, June 17, 2009, an EF2 tornado touched down outside Austin and moved across the northwest and northern parts of the city, gradually weakening as it moved east. The worst damage in Austin was about 3 mi north of downtown. The visitors center at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center sustained damage, losing 300 trees. There were a few minor injuries.

Geography
Austin is in western Mower County in southeastern Minnesota. It is 20 mi east of Albert Lea, 41 mi southwest of Rochester, 100 mi south of Minneapolis, and 12 mi north of the Iowa border. The city is bordered to the south by Austin Township, to the east by Windom and Red Rock townships, and to the north by Lansing Township and the city of Mapleview. Austin is bordered to the west by Oakland Township in Freeborn County.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Austin has a total area of 13.39 sqmi, of which 13.29 sqmi are land and 0.11 sqmi, or 0.79%, are water. Its elevation is approximately 1200 ft. The Cedar River, a tributary of the Iowa River, flows southward through the east side of the city. Tributaries within the city include Turtle Creek from the west and Dobbins Creek from the east.

Climate
Austin has a humid continental climate typical of the Upper Midwest. Winters are cold and snowy; summers are warm with moderate to high humidity. On the Köppen climate classification, Austin falls in the humid continental climate zone (Dfa) and is in USDA plant hardiness zone 4b. Below is a table of average high and low temperatures in Austin.

2020 census
As of the census of 2020 there were 26,174 people, 10,980 households, and 10,181 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010 there were 24,718 people, 10,131 households, and 6,114 families residing in the city. The population density was 2096.5 PD/sqmi. There were 10,870 housing units at an average density of 922.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 86.8% White, 3.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.4% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.4% of the population.

There were 10,131 households, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.7% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.05.

The median age in the city was 37. 25.6% of residents were under 18; 8.8% were between 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 or older. The city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city and 10,261 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 92.6% White, 0.81% African American, 0.18% Native American, 2.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.09% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 6.12% of the population. There were 9,897 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18. The average household size was 2.29; the average family size was 2.90. The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $42,691. Males had a median income of $31,787 versus $23,158 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,651. About 7.5% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line.

Economy
With Hormel's corporate headquarters and main production facility in Austin, food processing plays a dominant role in the city's economy. Hormel and Quality Pork Processors, a contract food processing firm serving Hormel, are by far the city's largest private employers. Though most famous for SPAM, Hormel also produces many other brands, such as Jennie-O turkey, Muscle Milk, Skippy peanut butter, and Dinty Moore beef stew.

The government, education, hospitality, and retail sectors comprise much of the remainder of Austin's employment base.

Hormel's consistent and steady growth have resulted in below-average unemployment rates for Austin and Mower County in recent years. As of February 2016 the unemployment rate was 3.7% in Austin and Mower County, below both the state and national average.

Austin-area businesses and community actively supported an application to participate as a test community in the Google Fiber project, begun in 2010. Though unsuccessful in their bid, the adoption of high-speed fiber optic and wireless internet throughout Austin is one of the Vision 2020 committee's goals.

Austin's retail business struggled during the Great Recession, including the demise of the Oak Park Mall. As of 2017 the business climate had improved, including a major redevelopment of the former mall site. Downtown remains vibrant as well, including construction of a new SPAM Museum in 2016.

Top employers
According to Austin's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2022), the top employers in the city are:

Arts and culture

Music Austin is home to several long-standing performing arts organizations, including the Austin Symphony Orchestra, which was established in 1957. The Austin Artist Series, one of the Midwest's largest and longest-running concert and performance series, was established in 1945. The Historic Paramount Theatre hosts a variety of local and regional performances, and Austin High School's music programs have been recognized for decades as among the state's best. Austin is also home to a community choir (Northwestern Singers ) and several community bands (Austin Community Band, Austin Community Jazz Band, and the Austin Big Band ). Austin has produced many professional musicians of regional and national acclaim, including John Maus, Trace Bundy, Charlie Parr, Martin Zellar, Matthew Griswold, and Molly Kate Kestner.

In 2015 the MacPhail Center for Music, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, opened its first outstate location in Austin, at Riverland Community College. MacPhail's Austin campus provides individual instruction on nearly a dozen musical instruments for adults and children, as well as large ensembles and early childhood music instruction.

Theater The Frank W. Bridges Theatre is home to an active theatre program at Riverland Community College, while Matchbox Children's Theatre, established in 1975, provides shows year-round for both adults and children. Summerset Theatre, a community theater company organized in 1968, also presents several shows per year.

ArtWorks Center The Austin ArtWorks Center, established in 2014, hosts gallery exhibits, educational classes, performance space, and a retail gallery. It is operated by the Austin Area Commission for the Arts, which also sponsors the Austin ArtWorks Festival, an annual celebration of visual, performing, and literary arts. The center is in the First National Bank Building, which opened in 1896.

Architecture Austin has several historically and architecturally significant buildings, including Austin High School, St. Augustine's Church, Roosevelt Bridge, the Historic Paramount Theatre, the Hormel Historic Home, the Arthur W. Wright House, and several blocks of buildings on Main Street.

The S. P. Elam Residence (1950) was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and is the second largest example of his Usonian style of architecture.

Literature Austin is the setting of Allen Eskens' novel The Life We Bury, published in 2014 by Seventh Street Books in New York.

Places of interest

 * Mower County Fairgrounds and Mower County Fair
 * Buffy the Cow
 * SPAM Museum
 * Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
 * Hormel Historic Home
 * St. Augustine's Church
 * Austin ArtWorks Center
 * Austin High School and Knowlton Auditorium
 * Mower County Historical Society
 * Historic Paramount Theatre
 * Sola Fide Observatory
 * East Side Lake
 * Bandshell Community Park
 * Todd Park
 * Austin Country Club (private)
 * Meadow Greens Golf Course (public)
 * The Elam House (Frank Lloyd Wright home)
 * Christ Episcopal Church
 * Packer Dome (seasonal)
 * Vintage Bicycle Collection at Rydjor Bike Shop
 * Hormel Institute
 * Roosevelt Bridge

Sports
The Austin Bruins are a North American Hockey League team that began play during the 2010–11 season. The team finished 1st in the Central Division in the 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2014–15 seasons, and advanced to the Robertson Cup Finals in 2014 and 2015, though ultimately losing the championship both times. The Bruins play their home games at Riverside Arena. Austin previously was represented in Junior hockey by the Austin Mavericks, a team that first participated in the Midwest Junior Hockey League from 1974 to 1977 and following a league merger competed in the United States Hockey League from 1977 to 1985.

Austin is home to two amateur baseball clubs, the Austin Blue Sox and Austin Greyhounds. The Riverland Community College Blue Devils field six intercollegiate athletic teams.

Several other teams, clubs, and activities are prominent in Austin, including the Southern Minnesota Bicycling Club, the Austin Curling Club, the Minnesota Southbound Rollers (female roller derby), and the Southeast Minnesota Warhawks of the Southern Plains Football League.

Riverside Arena
The Riverside Arena is a 2,500-seat multipurpose arena which opened in 1973. It is home to the Austin High School Packers boys' and girls' ice hockey teams as well as the Austin Bruins.

In 2010, a Jumbotron, lasers and upgraded lighting were installed. The rink underwent a major overhaul in 2015 when the concrete surface was relaid and the original cooling and dehumidifying equipment replaced.

Packer Dome
Packer Dome, a seasonal athletic facility built in 2015, provides sport and recreation facilities in Austin. It is operated by Austin Public Schools and was funded in large part by the Hormel Foundation as part of the Vision 2020 community development project.

Parks and recreation
Austin has an extensive network of 28 parks and green spaces, which the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry oversees. These range from small, passive spaces like Sterling Park (manicured but lacking recreational equipment) to the 507-acre Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
Established in 1971, the Hormel Nature Center is in western Mower County, within Austin's city limits. It features restored and remnant prairie, hardwood forest, wetlands and meandering streams. There are more than ten miles of trail, giving visitors the opportunity to see deer, mink, raccoons, salamanders, many different birds and other native wildlife. It features an Interpretive Center, open daily, where visitors can learn about the history and biology of the area through hands-on exhibits, interactive displays and live educational animals. The Nature Center offers equipment rental throughout most of the year: canoes and kayaks in the summer and cross-country skis and snowshoes while snow conditions are good.

Other parks
Horace Austin Park, in downtown, is the most centrally located and has a blend of modern amenities, including playground equipment, the municipal pool, and trails and green spaces surrounding Mill Pond. Austin has parks in all four of its quadrants and many are connected by a trail system, including three of the largest: Bandshell Community Park, Driesner Park, and Todd Park. Todd Park is a popular summer recreation space, with several sand volleyball courts and 11 softball and baseball diamonds.

Bandshell Community Park is the site of Austin's annual Independence Day celebration, which draws thousands of residents for two days of music, carnival games, and evening fireworks.

Government and politics
The city is independent from Austin Township to the south and Lansing Township to the north.

Austin is in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Brad Finstad, a Republican. It is in Minnesota Senate District 27, represented by Republican Gene Dornink, and House District 27B, represented by Republican Patricia Mueller. Mueller is an Austin resident.

Austin is the seat of Mower County and home to the Mower County Justice Center (courthouse) and Jail. Two new buildings were completed in 2010, a $28 million campus in downtown Austin.

The city of Austin is led by a mayor-council form of government. All terms are four years.

Schools and colleges
Austin Public Schools (Independent School District 492) serves more than 4,700 students in the Austin area. Pacelli Catholic Schools also provides a PreK-12 private education option. Austin High School, much of which was built in 1919, is well known for its distinctive architecture. A 1939 addition to the school includes Knowlton Auditorium, one of the largest high school auditoriums in Minnesota, seating 1,850. Post-secondary education is available at Riverland Community College, first established as Austin Junior College in 1940.
 * Colleges
 * Riverland Community College
 * Maranatha Bible School (Lansing)
 * High Schools
 * Austin High School and Area Learning Center (Grades 9–12)
 * Pacelli High School (Grades 9–12)
 * Middle Schools (Junior High)
 * Ellis Middle School [Grades 7–8]
 * I.J Holton Intermediate School [Grades 5–6]
 * Pacelli Middle School (Grades 6–8)
 * Elementary Schools
 * Pacelli Elementary School (Grades PreK-5)
 * Banfield Elementary School (Grades 1–4)
 * Neveln Elementary School (Grades 1–4)
 * Southgate Elementary School (Grades 1–4)
 * Sumner Elementary School (Grades 1–4)
 * Woodson School (Kindergarten only)
 * Oakland Education Center (special services coop with Albert Lea Public Schools; formerly St. Edward's School)
 * Other schools
 * Austin Area Catholic Schools
 * Gerard Academy (ages 6–19)
 * Oakland Baptist School
 * Former school buildings
 * Franklin School (original built in 1869, burned in 1890; new Franklin High School opened in 1891)
 * Shaw Elementary School (opened, 1916; last year of operation, 1992; demolished, 1993)
 * Webster School (Built in 1891, functions today as apartment homes)
 * Lincoln Elementary School (Built in 1887; last year of operation, 1977); functions today as apartment homes)
 * Queen of Angels School (now home to Community Learning Center and Early Childhood Family Education Center)

Public library
The Austin Public Library opened in 1884 in the basement of the Mower County Courthouse. In 1904 the city opened a newly constructed Carnegie Library. This building was demolished in 1996 when a new library was opened at 323 4th Ave. NE. It holds over 80,000 volumes.

Television
Austin is part of Nielsen's Rochester-Mason City-Austin designated market area. Austin has two television studios, KAAL channel 6 (ABC), and KSMQ-TV channel 15 (PBS). Other stations in the area include Rochester stations KTTC channel 10 (NBC) and KXLT-TV channel 47, plus KIMT Channel 3 (CBS) from Mason City, Iowa.

Newspapers
A daily newspaper, the Austin Daily Herald, serves the community and has a circulation of approximately 7,000. Austin Living is a bimonthly magazine featuring culture and lifestyle stories about Austin. The Post-Bulletin, a daily newspaper from Rochester, is also widely read and distributed in Austin.

The documentary film  American Dream was filmed in Austin during the 1985–86 Hormel strike. It was released in 1990 and won Best Documentary Feature at the 63rd Annual Academy Awards.

Airports
Austin is served by Austin Municipal Airport, a public-owned, public-use airport located on the east edge of the city. The nearest commercial international airports are located in Rochester (RST), 35 mi to the northeast, and the Twin Cities (MSP), 95 mi to the north.

Bus and mass transit
Southern Minnesota Area Rural Transit provides bus transit within Austin and Mower County; daily routes, as well as on-demand pick-up and drop-off service is available. Rochester City Lines provides daily bus transportation between Austin and Rochester. For travel within the city, there is also local taxi service available.

Major highways
Austin is located at the intersection of Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 218. Minnesota State Highway 105 runs from Austin south to Iowa.
 * I-90.svg Interstate 90 runs east-west through the north side of the city. The highway leads west to Albert Lea and northeast to the Rochester area.
 * US 218.svg U.S. Route 218 passes through the east side of the city as 21st Street, joins I-90 through the north side of the city between exits 180 and 177, and leaves through the northwest part of the city on 14th Street.
 * [[Image:MN-105.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 105 passes through the southern and western sides of the city as 12th Street SW and West Oakland Avenue. It terminates at I-90 in the western end of the city.

Rail
Austin was once a railroad town. It was a division point and the site of car shops for the Milwaukee Road, five lines of which met in Austin. The community was also served by the Chicago Great Western's north–south mainline for trains between the Twin Cities and Omaha. All lines served passengers, and the Milwaukee Road Depot was a busy station ferrying travelers to and from Austin. Passenger rail service on the Milwaukee Road through Austin between Calmar, Iowa and St. Paul ended in 1953, and Pullman sleeper service on the Milwaukee between Austin and Chicago ended in 1960. An overnight train on the Chicago Great Western between the Twin Cities and Omaha called at Austin, with the southbound coming through late in the evening and the northbound train stopping early in the morning. This train last ran on September 30, 1965, ending all passenger train service to Austin. Freight service continues on the former Milwaukee Road mainline on that railroad's successor, the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad, a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific, but the Chicago Great Western was abandoned and torn up after the Chicago and North Western Railway acquired it in 1968.

Trails
Austin has an extensive network of paved recreational trails for biking and hiking. There are several miles of bike paths extending north to Todd Park and the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. There is also a mountain biking trail, completed in 2015, that hosted a Minnesota High School Cycling League competition in its inaugural year.

Extensions to these existing non-motorized trails will connect Austin to the Blazing Star Trail (west toward Albert Lea and Myre-Big Island State Park) and the Shooting Star State Trail (east toward Rose Creek, Adams, and Leroy).

Health care
The Mayo Clinic Health system operates a full-service hospital and clinic in Austin, the Austin Medical Center. Both primary care and specialty care services are available locally. The campus also provides emergency and urgent care services, a complete pharmacy, and a recently expanded pediatrics department. Before joining the Mayo system, Austin Medical Center was St. Olaf Hospital.

The Hormel Institute is a medical research branch of the University of Minnesota. Established in 1942, it has become one of the world's leading cancer research facilities. In 2016 the institute was expanded to twice its original size. Tours of the institute are available but must be arranged through Discover Austin, the local convention and visitors bureau.

Notable people

 * Marc Anderson, musician
 * Josh Braaten, actor
 * Philip Brunelle, conductor, primarily of choral music
 * Trace Bundy, instrumental acoustic guitar player
 * James W. Davidson, explorer, writer, diplomat, and philanthropist
 * Richard Eberhart, United States Poet Laureate
 * Shannon Frid-Rubin, violinist in Cloud Cult
 * Jason Gerhardt, actor
 * Jackie Graves, boxer
 * Matthew Griswold, songwriter and musician
 * Burdette Haldorson, basketball player and Olympian
 * Charles Robert Hansen, businessman, mayor of Austin, Minnesota, and Minnesota state senator
 * Vince Hanson, basketball player
 * Amanda Hocking, writer of paranormal romance young adult fiction
 * Geordie Hormel, musician, composer, founder/owner of The Village Recorder music studio in Los Angeles
 * George A. Hormel, founder of Hormel Foods
 * James C. Hormel, United States ambassador to Luxembourg, philanthropist, author
 * Jay Catherwood Hormel, president of Hormel Foods 1929–1954; son of founder George A. Hormel
 * Craig Hutchinson, film director and screenwriter
 * Hope Jahren, geochemist and geobiologist
 * Lee Janzen, professional golfer
 * Molly Kate Kestner, musician
 * Jennie Ellis Keysor, educator, writer
 * Larry Kramer, football player and coach
 * Tom Lehman, professional golfer
 * John Madden, former Oakland Raiders head coach, NFL commentator, and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * John Maus, musician
 * Helen E. McMillan, Minnesota state legislator
 * Patrick Moore, professional golfer
 * Wilbur Moore, professional football player
 * Barry Morrow, screenwriter and producer
 * Bob Motzko, University of Minnesota head men's ice hockey coach
 * Tim O'Brien, novelist
 * Charlie Parr, musician
 * Pat Piper, politician
 * Jeanne Poppe, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
 * Leo J. Reding, politician
 * William Pitt Root, poet
 * Paul Michael Stephani, serial killer
 * Frank Twedell, professional football player
 * Wally Ulrich, professional golfer
 * Sheldon B. Vance, U.S. ambassador to Zaire
 * Bree Walker, radio talk show host, actress, and disability-rights activist
 * Robert B. Westbrook, historian
 * Sandy Wollschlager, chemist and Minnesota state representative
 * Michael Wuertz, former Major League Baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics
 * Martin Zellar, musician and songwriter

title: Austin, Minnesota


text:
Austin Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Austin Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,396 at the 2000 census. The largest city partially in the township is Austin with a population of 24,718 people. The northern parts of the city of Austin are in Lansing Township. All other population centers are unincorporated areas.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 29.2 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,396 people, 507 households, and 396 families residing in the township. The population density was 47.8 PD/sqmi. There were 527 housing units at an average density of 18.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 95.3% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 507 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.3% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $48,958, and the median income for a family was $54,167. Males had a median income of $35,250 versus $19,779 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,999. About 2.7% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Varco Station
Varco Station was a small village which used to be about three miles south of the city of Austin on the Milwaukee Railroad. It was started in 1875 by Thomas Varco and at one time had a grain elevator. The railroad continued to deliver freight to Varco Station as late as the 1950s. It still is a small unincorporated settlement along Mower County Highway 4.

Two Rivers
The old town of Two Rivers (also known as Milton) was located where Turtle Creek flows into the Cedar River. It was platted in 1857. This area is currently within the city limits of the city of Austin on 4th Street S.W. near Calvary Cemetery. At one time, the small community had a mill and a hotel. Its population dwindled as the city of Austin continued to grow and was eventually incorporated by it.

Cemeteries

 * Cedar City Cemetery is located in the far southeast corner of the southeast quadrant of section 32 of the township. The land was donated by David Chandler, the first settler of the short-lived community of Cedar City,  and in 1879 it had 42 lots.  The first burial on record was of a man named Robinson, assistant editor of the Mower County Mirror.  Strips of land were added at various times over the years, the largest addition coming in 1957, a donation by Mr. and Mrs. Claude Brown.
 * Rose Creek Cemetery is located in the southwest quadrant of section 34 of the township on the banks of Rose Creek.
 * Calvary Cemetery is located in section 10 of the township within Austin's city limits.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


text:
Bennington Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Bennington Township (formerly called Andover Township) is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 178 at the 2000 census. All areas and population centers of the township are unincorporated areas. It was named for Bennington, Vermont, the site of a battle in the American Revolutionary War (the Battle of Bennington).

History
A group of men from New York, who arrived in the spring of 1856, were the first settlers in Bennington Township. When Minnesota became a state in 1858, Bennington Township had not yet been organized. Therefore, until it was organized as a township in 1860, the northern part was included in Frankford Township and the southern part was part of Le Roy Township. The first township meeting was held in 1860 and the voters elected a chairman of the board, two supervisors, a justice of the peace and an assessor. Bennington and Clayton are still the least populated townships of the county with 178 people each.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.1 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 178 people, 64 households, and 54 families residing in the township. The population density was 4.9 PD/sqmi. There were 66 housing units at an average density of 1.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 99.44% White, and 0.56% from two or more races.

There were 64 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.1% were non-families. 9.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $50,833, and the median income for a family was $52,083. Males had a median income of $40,250 versus $19,107 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,386. About 5.1% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.8% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

Cemetery

 * Angell Cemetery is located in section 31 of the township.


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Brownsdale, Minnesota

Brownsdale is a city in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 633 at the 2020 census.

History
Brownsdale was platted in 1856, and named for Andrew D. Brown, a businessman in the lumber industry. A post office has been in operation at Brownsdale since 1857. Brownsdale was incorporated in 1876.

Geography
Brownsdale is in northwestern Mower County, 9 mi northeast of Austin, the county seat. It is surrounded by Red Rock Township but is independent from it. Minnesota State Highway 56 passes through the center of Brownsdale, leading north 6 mi to Waltham and south 4.5 mi to Interstate 90 near Nicolville.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Brownsdale has an area of 0.40 sqmi, all land. The north side of the city drains to Roberts Creek, while the south side drains to Wolf Creek; both creeks are west-flowing tributaries of the Cedar River.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 676 people, 286 households, and 190 families living in the city. The population density was 1438.3 PD/sqmi. There were 315 housing units at an average density of 670.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.1% White, 0.1% African American, 1.3% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.5% of the population.

There were 286 households, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 17.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 718 people, 290 households, and 198 families living in the city. The population density was 1,574.4 PD/sqmi. There were 312 housing units at an average density of 684.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.40% White, 3.48% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.48% of the population.

There were 290 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,857, and the median income for a family was $43,864. Males had a median income of $31,842 versus $22,031 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,778. About 4.5% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Brownsdale, Minnesota


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Clayton Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Clayton Township (formerly Providence Township) is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 178 at the 2000 census. All areas and population centers in the township are unincorporated areas. It was organized in June 1873 and was named for William Z. Clayton, who owned a large tract of land there at the time.

History
A native of Maine, William Z. Clayton lived in Winona, Minnesota and summered in Clayton Township. When Mower County was organized, Clayton was one of the townships which did not have enough settlers to be organized and thus much of the township was sold to speculators. By 1870, much of the land had been bought from the speculators, but crop failures in those early years resulted in many foreclosures and much of the land returned again to speculators. Clayton and Bennington are still the least populated townships of the county with 178 people each.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.2 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2010 census, there were 158 people, 56 households and 47 families residing in the township. The population density was 4.9 per square mile (1.9/km$2$). There were 68 housing units at an average density of 1.9/sq mi (0.72/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 97.75% White, 1.12% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.

There were 56 households, of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.6% were married couples living together, and 14.3% were non-families. 14.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.54.

33.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.6 males.

The median household income was $75,739 and the median family income was $80,000. Males had a median income of $32,708 and females $35,833. The per capita income was $32,453. About 2.1% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

Cemetery

 * Marshall Lutheran Cemetery is located in the township. Its oldest known burial dates to 1877.


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Dexter, Minnesota

Dexter is a city Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 324 at the 2020 census.

History
Dexter was platted in 1874 and named for Dexter Parrit, an early settler. A post office has been in operation at Dexter since 1874. Dexter was incorporated in 1878.

Geography
Dexter is in central Mower County, 15 mi east of Austin, the county seat, and 27 mi southwest of Rochester. It is bordered to the north, west, and south by Dexter Township and to the east by Grand Meadow Township. It is served by Interstate 90, State Highway 16 (MN 16), and Mower County Roads 2 and 7. I-90 leads west to Austin and northeast 16 mi to Stewartville, while MN 16 leads east 16 mi to Spring Valley.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Dexter has a total area of 1.41 sqmi, all land. The city sits on high ground that drains north toward the North Branch of the Root River; east toward the South Fork of Bear Creek, part of the Root River watershed; and southwest toward Rose Creek, part of the Cedar River watershed.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 341 people, 144 households, and 100 families living in the city. The population density was 227.3 PD/sqmi. There were 151 housing units at an average density of 100.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.6% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 144 households, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.6% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 29.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.1% male and 49.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 333 people, 130 households, and 89 families living in the city. The population density was 229.8 PD/sqmi. There were 133 housing units at an average density of 91.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.30% White, 0.60% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 1.20% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population.

There were 130 households, out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.20.In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $29,861 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,199. About 7.1% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Dexter, Minnesota


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Dexter Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Dexter Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 289 at the 2000 census. The largest town in the township is Dexter with a population of 333 people. All other areas of the township are unincorporated areas. It is named for Dexter Parritt, an early settler.

History
The township was organized on June 6, 1870 and that day the people of the township elected a chairman (Dexter Parritt) two supervisors, two justices of the peace, a clerk and a treasurer.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.7 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 289 people, 100 households, and 79 families residing in the township. The population density was 8.3 PD/sqmi. There were 105 housing units at an average density of 3.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.23% White, 0.69% African American, 0.35% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.

There were 100 households, out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples living together, 1.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the township the population was spread out, with 33.6% under the age of 18, 3.1% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $49,750, and the median income for a family was $58,750. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $29,500 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,195. About 11.4% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 33.3% of those 65 or over.

Renova
Renova is an unincorporated area about two miles northwest of Dexter, along Mower County Highway 2.

Sutton
Sutton was a small trading post on the Chicago Great Western Railway in the early days of the township. Its grain elevator burned in 1887, the trains discontinued stops there and the few people living there moved elsewhere. Was located between Dexter and Elkton Mn.

Cemetery

 * Dexter Cemetery is on the north end of the northwest quadrant of section 13 of the township directly north of the city of Dexter. Its oldest known burial dates to 1888.


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Grand Meadow, Minnesota

Grand Meadow is a city in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The city is on the boundary between Grand Meadow Township and Frankford Township, and it is politically independent of both townships. The population was 1,127 at the 2020 census.

History
Grand Meadow was platted in 1870, and named for the prairies near the original town site.

Geography
Grand Meadow is in eastern Mower County and is bordered to the west by Grand Meadow Township and to the east by Frankford Township. Minnesota State Highway 16 runs along the city's northern border, leading west 7 mi to Dexter and east 9 mi to Spring Valley. Austin, the Mower county seat, is 21 mi to the west.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Grand Meadow has a total area of 0.68 sqmi, all land. The city sits on a low ridge which drains northwest toward the South Fork of Bear Creek and southeast toward Deer Creek. The two creeks flow east and join at Fillmore to form the Middle Branch of the Root River, a tributary of the Mississippi River.

Transportation
The city is located at the intersection of Mower County Road 8 and Minnesota State Highway 16. The city was served by the Milwaukee Road railroad until the late 1970s.

Parks
Parks in the city are:
 * Pine Lawn, located east of town on State Highway 16.
 * City Park, located on 1st Avenue SE.
 * Veterans Memorial Park, located on the site of the old Grand Meadow school.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,139 people, 454 households, and 287 families residing in the city. The population density was 1700.0 PD/sqmi. There were 485 housing units at an average density of 723.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 1.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 454 households, of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.8% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 29% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 21.6% were from 45 to 64; and 17.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 945 people, 395 households, and 233 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,470.9 PD/sqmi. There were 407 housing units at an average density of 633.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.73% White, 0.21% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.63% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.

There were 395 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,188, and the median income for a family was $46,667. Males had a median income of $29,427 versus $23,333 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,509. About 5.9% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Grand Meadow Public School
This is currently the largest monolithic dome school in Minnesota. It houses the K-12 grades from Grand Meadow in five separate domes. The domes are lettered A, B, C, D and E. Dome A is the secondary dome, which has the junior and senior high. Dome B is the administrative dome with the elementary and high school offices and media center. Dome C is the elementary dome with grades Pre-K through 6th grade. Dome D, the athletics dome, has the gymnasium, wrestling room and weight room. The arts dome is Dome E with the band room and art room and also the cafetorium. On the outside there are two purple stripes going around each dome.

Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Hall--Booth Post No. 130
Booth Post No. 130 was once a meeting hall for members of the Grand Army of the Republic. The hall is apparently one of only two remaining in Minnesota and is located on West side of South Main Street between First Avenue SW and Second Avenue SW. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places because of its architectural and social significance.

title: Grand Meadow, Minnesota


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Grand Meadow Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Grand Meadow Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 344 at the 2000 census. The city of Grand Meadow, lies on the eastern boundary of Grand Meadow. All other areas of the township are unincorporated areas. The township was named for the typical landscapes within its borders.

History
Erland Olson built a log house in section 12 in 1854 and the township was officially organized in 1862 in a meeting at the B.F. Lanhworthy home. At that meeting, the people of the township elected a chairman, a clerk, a treasurer, two justices of the peace and two constables.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.7 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 344 people, 109 households, and 96 families residing in the township. The population density was 9.6 PD/sqmi. There were 118 housing units at an average density of 3.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.84% White, 0.87% Asian, 0.29% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population.

There were 109 households, out of which 45.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 81.7% were married couples living together, 2.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.9% were non-families. 11.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.16 and the average family size was 3.40.

In the township the population was spread out, with 34.0% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $52,344, and the median income for a family was $56,250. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $26,607 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,984. None of the families and 2.0% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Cemetery

 * St. Finbarr's Catholic Cemetery is located in the southwest corner of the northwest quadrant of section 13 of the township. It is one mile north and one half mile west of Grand Meadow.


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Lansing Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Lansing Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,292 at the 2000 census. The largest city contained partially within the township is Austin with 23,314 people. The southern part of Austin is in Austin Township. Lansing Township also contains the town of Mapleview (population 189) and the unincorporated areas of Ramsey, Corning, and Lansing.

History
Lansing Township was organized in 1858, and named after Lansing, Michigan and as a tribute to Alanson B. Vaughan.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.3 sqmi, of which 32.2 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi  (0.28%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,292 people, 488 households, and 374 families residing in the township. The population density was 40.1 PD/sqmi. There were 514 housing units at an average density of 15.9/sq mi (6.2/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 97.29% White, 0.70% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.62% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.

There were 488 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.0% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $39,911, and the median income for a family was $44,444. Males had a median income of $32,344 versus $25,750 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,301. About 9.7% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Alderson's Mill
Simon and Sophia Alderson moved to Austin in 1866 from Council Hills Station, Illinois. In 1867 Simon built a flour mill containing just one run of buhr stones on the Cedar River. It was located on Water Street, the street that is now 4th St. NE in Austin. The Hormel company bought the mill in 1915 and used it to produce Hormel Minnesota Peerless flour. The mill burned to the ground in January, 1967.

Andyville
Andyville is an unincorporated community on U.S. Route 218, approximately three miles north of Austin.

Ramsey
Platted in 1873, Ramsey is an unincorporated community about a mile northeast of Austin near the Ramsey Golf Course. It was at the junction of two railroads and at one time a stagecoach service operated between Austin and the small community. Gregson's Mill was located on the Cedar River and Ramsey's other main attraction, "The Old Mill" restaurant, is named to honor this time in the community's past. Ramsey Golf Course lies north of Ramsey Mill Pond. A dam was built for this pond and the old mill which used to be there. The old millstone can be found embedded in the fireplace of the course's clubhouse.

Cemeteries

 * Lansing Cemetery is located on the northern side of the northwest quadrant of section 11 of the township. It is directly south of Mower County Highway 2. Its oldest known burial dates to 1859.
 * Oakwood Cemetery is located in section 34 of the township, directly across from the Holiday Inn in Austin. It is bounded on the south by Interstate 90 and on the north by the town of Mapleview. With over 10,000 burials, it is the largest cemetery in Mower County. At one time it was three separate cemeteries. The northernmost was Cedar Cemetery and the southernmost Baudler Cemetery, with Old Oakwood Cemetery between them. Many of the poems contained in Richard Eberhart's 1947 work Burr Oaks were influenced by the area around this bur oak-filled cemetery.


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Le Roy, Minnesota

Le Roy is a city in Mower County, Minnesota, United States, surrounded by Le Roy Township. The population was 957 at the 2020 census. Lake Louise State Park is just outside the town.

History
Le Roy was platted in 1867, when the railroad was extended to that point. The city was named after Le Roy, New York, the native home of a first settler.

Geography
Le Roy is in the southeast corner of Mower County, 0.5 mi north of the Iowa state line. It is 29 mi southeast of Austin, the Mower county seat. Minnesota State Highway 56 passes through the center of Le Roy, leading west-northwest 12 mi to Adams and east 6 mi to its terminus at U.S. Route 63, just north of Chester, Iowa.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Le Roy has a total area of 0.71 sqmi, all land. The city is bordered to the north by the Upper Iowa River, an east-flowing tributary of the Mississippi River. The city is bordered to the northwest by Lake Louise State Park, set on the Upper Iowa. The Shooting Star State Trail has its southeastern terminus in Le Roy.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 929 people, 428 households, and 248 families living in the city. The population density was 1346.4 PD/sqmi. There were 488 housing units at an average density of 707.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.2% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 428 households, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.1% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 42.1 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 925 people, 411 households, and 249 families living in the city. The population density was 1,455.9 PD/sqmi. There were 433 housing units at an average density of 681.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.2% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 411 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,286, and the median income for a family was $45,156. Males had a median income of $29,792 versus $18,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,446. About 3.6% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

Library
The LeRoy Public Library is the public library in Le Roy. It is a member of Southeastern Libraries Cooperating, the library region serving southeastern Minnesota.

Notable people

 * Bob Mahoney, professional baseball player
 * Harlan G. Palmer, newspaper publisher

title: Le Roy, Minnesota


text:
Le Roy Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Le Roy Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 396 at the 2000 census. The town in the township with the largest population is Le Roy with 925 people. The township is also home to Lake Louise State Park, the only Minnesota State Park in Mower County and the southernmost in the state. The Old Village of Le Roy was the first area in the township to be settled.

History
Le Roy Township was organized on May 11, 1858 at a meeting held at the house of Daniel Caswell. The township was named after Caswell's native home in Le Roy, New York/

Le Roy was a small village on the banks of the Little Iowa River, one of the small streams that eventually become the Upper Iowa River. It was located in section 28 of Le Roy Township. Henry Edmonds, the first citizen of "Old Town," erected a mill on the river in 1855. The small village was platted on April 24, 1857. When the railroad was being built about one mile to the southeast in the area that is the modern-day town of Le Roy, some of the settlers starting making plans. When the first train rolled into "Le Roy Station" in August 1867, it dropped off building supplies for the new town. The new town was platted in September 1867 and some of the businesses and houses of Old Le Roy were moved intact to the new town.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.4 sqmi, of which 35.4 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi  (0.08%) is water. The small streams of the southeastern part of the township are tributaries of the Upper Iowa River, which eventually winds its way to the Mississippi River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 396 people, 142 households, and 111 families residing in the township. The population density was 11.2 PD/sqmi. There were 149 housing units at an average density of 4.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 99.49% White, and 0.51% from two or more races.

There were 142 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.9% were married couples living together, 0.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the township the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $37,857, and the median income for a family was $42,292. Males had a median income of $29,028 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,077. About 1.9% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

Cemeteries

 * Bethany Lutheran Cemetery is located in the southeast corner of the southwest quadrant of section 11 of the township. Its oldest known burial dates to 1879.
 * Le Roy Lutheran Cemetery is located in section 28 of the township.
 * St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery is adjoined to Le Roy Lutheran Cemetery.


text:
Lodi Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Lodi Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 249. The largest town contained within the township is Taopi with 93 people. The remainder of the township is unincorporated area.

History
Almond Fryer settled on the banks of the Upper Iowa River in section 14 of the township in 1855. The name at the time of surveying was Lodi, but when the township was organized in February 1874 it was called "Belleview," as was the railroad station. Lodi, Italy, the namesake of the township, is a town in Lombardy made famous by a battle that Napoleon fought there. At the organizing meeting, the people of the township re-adopted the name Lodi and elected a moderator, a clerk, three judges of the election, a chairman, two supervisors, a treasurer, two justices of the peace, and two constables. The current village of Taopi was started as a corporation in 1875.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92.3 km2), all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 249 people, 85 households, and 73 families residing in the township. The population density was 7.0 PD/sqmi. There were 85 housing units at an average density of 2.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.99% White, 1.20% African American, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.

There were 85 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.8% were married couples living together, 2.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.1% were non-families. 14.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the township the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $45,179, and the median income for a family was $45,714. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $21,771 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,504. About 11.8% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under the age of eighteen and 13.9% of those 65 or over.

Cemetery

 * Taopi Cemetery is located in the southeast corner of the southeast quadrant of section 9 of the township. Its oldest known burial dates to 1877.

title: Lodi Township, Mower County, Minnesota


text:
Lyle, Minnesota

Lyle is a city in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The city lies on the north side of the Iowa border. The population was 522 at the 2020 census.

History
Lyle was platted in 1870. The city was named after Robert Lyle, a farmer, territorial, and state legislator. Lyle was incorporated in 1875.

Geography
Lyle is in southwestern Mower County, with its southern border on the Iowa state line. The city is bordered to the north and west by Lyle Township and to the east by Nevada Township, while to the south it is bordered by Otranto Township in Mitchell County, Iowa.

U.S. Route 218 passes through the center of Lyle as 1st Street, leading north 12 mi to Austin, the Mower county seat, and south 21 mi to Osage, Iowa.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Lyle has an area of 0.76 sqmi, all of it recorded as land. Otter Creek crosses the southeast corner of the city, flowing southwest to the Cedar River at Otranto, Iowa.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 551 people, 220 households, and 147 families residing in the city. The population density was 725.0 PD/sqmi. There were 235 housing units at an average density of 309.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 220 households, of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.2% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 14.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 566 people, 211 households, and 148 families residing in the city. The population density was 733.2 PD/sqmi. There were 225 housing units at an average density of 291.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.82% White and 0.18% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.

There were 211 households, out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,464, and the median income for a family was $42,500. Males had a median income of $30,938 versus $24,107 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,624. About 4.2% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

School
Lyle Independent School District #497 serves both the city of Lyle and the surrounding farm community.

This district is merged for purposes of athletics with Austin Pacelli, a Catholic high school in Austin, Minnesota. Lyle sports teams, formerly the Lyle Lions, are now the Lyle-Pacelli Athletics. Since the district is so small, Lyle-Pacelli frequently plays against schools with much larger enrollments and plays nine-man football.

The Lyle area was engaged in a bitter fight over a school bond referendum from 2002 to 2005. Two groups emerged in the community: "Save our Schools and Community", a group supporting construction of a new school, and "Concerned Citizens for Lyle's Future", a group opposing the construction of a new school in favor of other less expensive solutions. In 2005, Concerned Citizens for Lyle's Future hired an anti-school-bond consultant from Ocheyedan, Iowa. The bond passed on May 24, 2005, by a vote of 449 to 343. In this election, 98% of eligible voters participated. The new school has been built on the site of the former facility.

Media
Lyle-area news is covered by the following local media organizations:

Newspapers

 * Austin Daily Herald
 * Rochester Post-Bulletin - Austin Edition

Television

 * KAAL - ABC
 * KTTC - NBC
 * KIMT - CBS
 * KSMQ - PBS (public)
 * KYIN - PBS (public)

Radio (FM)

 * KQPR 96.1 FM
 * KRCH 101.7 FM
 * KROC 106.9 FM
 * The Blaze 102.7 FM

Radio (AM)

 * KNFX 970 AM
 * KWEB 1270 AM
 * KROC 1340 AM
 * KATE 1450 AM
 * KAUS 1480 AM

title: Lyle, Minnesota


text:
Lyle Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Lyle Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 402 at the 2000 census. The largest city contained within the township is Lyle with 566 people. All other areas of the township are unincorporated. The township was named for Robert Lyle, an early settler from Ohio who later went on to become judge of probate and an elected representative of the region in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

History
J.D. Woodbury built a log cabin along the Cedar River in section 33 (about two and a half miles west of the modern-day town of Lyle) in 1853 which he then sold to Benjamin Coe in 1855 before moving to Olmsted County. Section 4 started to be settled in 1854 by Eben Merry as well as by James Foster and his son, Return. John Tift also came in 1854 and started the small settlement of Troy. The township was officially organized in 1858 and it was later named for Robert Lyle, an early settler from Ohio. He came to the area in 1856 and went on to become judge of probate and an elected representative of the region in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He stayed in the area until 1868 when he moved to Missouri.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.5 square miles (91.9 km2), all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 402 people, 146 households, and 113 families residing in the township. The population density was 11.3 PD/sqmi. There were 157 housing units at an average density of 4.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 99.00% White, 0.25% Native American, 0.25% Asian, and 0.50% from two or more races.

There were 146 households, out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.2% were married couples living together, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 119.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $46,667, and the median income for a family was $46,500. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $24,444 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,116. About 6.6% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Troy
The old town of Troy was on the Cedar River in sections 4 and 8, about eight miles (13 km) south of Austin. It was settled on March 24, 1857 by John Tift and it once had a dam, sawmill, grist mill and a hotel. It suffered the same fate as Cedar City in the spring of 1858.

Cedar City
John Chandler came to Lyle Township from Milton, Ontario in 1856 and took up a claim in section 4. He later gave up his rights to his claim in favor of Caleb Stock and John Phelps. These two men, along with T.N. Stone, built a dam of stones and timber and then built a sawmill and grist mill behind it. The rains of the spring of 1858 were unusually heavy and the new dam gave way to the unexpected water levels. The dam and mills were never rebuilt, but some of the old residents of the short-lived settlement lie in rest at nearby Cedar City Cemetery.

Cemetery

 * Woodbury Cemetery is located in the far northwest corner of the southwest quadrant of section 33 of the township near the Cedar River. It was established by J.W. Woodbury at some time before 1855 and the south section contains some Civil War soldiers.

title: Lyle Township, Mower County, Minnesota


text:
Mapleview, Minnesota

Mapleview is a city in Lansing Township, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. It is a suburb of Austin, the county seat. The population was 144 at the 2020 census, down from 176 in 2010. It was named for a row of maple trees that once stood on the west side of town.

History
The village of Mapleview was incorporated in 1945 to provide facilities for approximately 100 families. In 1948, a plot of land north of town was purchased, where the liquor store, fire station, water tower, pump house and equipment garages were eventually built. In 1954, the city bought 4 acre along Murphy Creek, and this became Hillside Park. The fire house was built in 1958 and is currently running two fire trucks and 13 volunteer fire fighters, with Michael Langstaff as the Fire Chief of the Mapleview Fire Department. Natural gas was made available to residents in 1962. Until its disbanding in 2013, Mapleview and the city of Lyle shared a police department, with police commission of a commissioner and two city council members from each city.

Geography
Mapleview is in western Mower County and is bordered to the south, east, and west, by the city of Austin. Oakwood Cemetery is directly south of the Mapleview/Austin border, while Austin's Wildwood Park is to the southeast. The Cedar River passes through the easternmost part of Mapleview, and its tributary Murphy Creek crosses the western part of the city.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Mapleview has a total area of 0.18 sqmi, all of it recorded as land. Via the Cedar River, Mapleview is part of the Iowa River watershed.

County 45 serves as a main route in the community. Interstate Highway 90 passes half a mile south of the city limits, and U.S. Highway 218 is less than a mile to the west.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 176 people, 83 households, and 44 families residing in the city. The population density was 977.8 PD/sqmi. There were 93 housing units at an average density of 516.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% White, 1.7% Asian, 5.7% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.2% of the population.

There were 83 households, of which 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.7% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.0% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.64.

The median age in the city was 46.5 years. 15.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.8% were from 25 to 44; 36.5% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 54.5% male and 45.5% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 189 people, 88 households, and 51 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,010.9 PD/sqmi. There were 96 housing units at an average density of 513.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.59% White, 3.17% Asian, 2.12% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.35% of the population.

There were 88 households, out of which 22.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.0% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.63.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.6% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,909, and the median income for a family was $30,625. Males had a median income of $29,000 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,884. About 4.5% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen and 20.7% of those 65 or over.

title: Mapleview, Minnesota


text:
Marshall Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Marshall Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 382 at the 2000 census. The largest town in the township is Elkton with a population of 149 people. All other area in the township is unincorporated.

History
The land of Marshall Township originally contained a few small, shallow lakes, but they have since been drained to allow for increased farming. Helge Erickson. a Norwegian, settled in the western half of the southwest quadrant of section 36 in 1856 and John Osmunsen (born Jone Hauske Osmundson), another Norwegian, came from Wisconsin and settled on the eastern half of the southeast quadrant of the same section the following year together with his wife Ellen Serena Osmundsen (born Vignes, Hansdatter / daughter of Hans and Siri Olsen Finnøy, Norway). The township was first named "York" and later "Beach" before finally being named for William Rainey Marshall in 1870. Marshall was the fifth Governor of Minnesota and he owned land in Marshall Township from 1868 to 1874. At the organizing meeting of June 6, 1870, the people of the township elected two supervisors, a chairman, a clerk, an assessor, a treasurer two justices of the peace and two constables.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.6 square miles (89.6 km2), all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 382 people, 122 households, and 105 families residing in the township. The population density was 11.0 PD/sqmi. There were 126 housing units at an average density of 3.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was: two Native Americans, two Asians, and the rest of the people are white. There were 122 households, out of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.2% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.9% were non-families. 10.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 3.38.

In the township the population was spread out, with 31.2% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $47,500, and the median income for a family was $50,536. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $23,542 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,322. About 2.0% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Cemeteries

 * Hoflanda Cemetery is located in the southwest corner of the southwest quadrant of section 8 of the township. Its oldest known burial dates to 1883.
 * St. John's Lutheran Cemetery is located in the northeast corner of the northeast quadrant of section 4 of the township. Its oldest known burial may date to as early as 1887.


text:
Nevada Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Nevada Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 353 at the 2000 census. There are no recognized cities or towns and the township is entirely an unincorporated area.

History
The first settlement in Nevada Township was by William Allen, a Massachusetts man, in the southwest quadrant of section 29, an area later called Six Mile Grove. This happened at some time before 1854, which is when he sold the land to Gunder Halverson and moved to Oregon. Sometime between that time and 1858, ten men settled in that same section and it was the first permanent settlement in the township. These men erected a mill in section 31 on Otter Creek, a tributary of the Cedar River. The mill was a little under a mile east of where Lyle now stands. The township was organized in 1858 and its name is derived from the California Sierra Nevada Mountains. Nevada Village was platted in section 2 and a mill was built on Otter Creek but there are no entries on the title record.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.7 square miles (95.2 km$2$), all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 353 people, 124 households, and 101 families residing in the township. The population density was 9.6 people per square mile (3.7/km$2$). There were 139 housing units at an average density of 3.8/sq mi (1.5/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 98.87% White, 0.28% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.28% of the population.

There were 124 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.0% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.5% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the township the population was spread out, with 30.3% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $41,071, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,515. About 1.1% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Cemetery

 * Six Mile Grove Cemetery is located on the north end of the southwest quadrant of section 33 of the township.


text:
Pleasant Valley Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Pleasant Valley Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 308 at the 2000 census. There are no recognized cities or towns and the township is entirely an unincorporated area.

History
The township was named for Pleasant Valley, New York by its first settler, Sylvester Hills. He came with his son, Byron, in 1854 and brought the rest of his family in 1855. Robert Reed, Russell Hoag and Robert Rowley came in 1857 and Rowley set up a hotel in the Winona wheat route. The township was officially organized in 1858.

In 1933 Pleasant Valley Township resident A.E. Hoover, a first cousin of then-President Herbert Hoover traveled with two other farmers to Des Moines, Iowa (about 200 miles away) to secure a compromise on the foreclosure of his farm. He had missed one $400 semi-annual payment and was faced with eviction. He secured a compromise which allowed him to stay on his farm as a renter. Hoover, like the ex-president, was born in West Branch, Iowa.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 30.1 square miles (78.0 km$2$), all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 308 people, 100 households, and 75 families residing in the township. The population density was 10.2 people per square mile (3.9/km$2$). There were 104 housing units at an average density of 3.5/sq mi (1.3/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 97.40% White, and 2.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65% of the population.

There were 100 households, out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.0% were married couples living together, 2.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.0% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.67.

In the township the population was spread out, with 38.3% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $46,250, and the median income for a family was $48,750. Males had a median income of $35,865 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,242. About 2.6% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.


text:
Racine, Minnesota

Racine is a city in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 458 at the 2020 census.

History
Racine was platted in 1890.

Geography
Racine is in northeastern Mower County, surrounded by Racine Township but independent from it. U.S. Route 63 passes through the west side of the city, leading north 5 mi to Stewartville and southeast 10 mi to Spring Valley. Austin, the Mower county seat, is 30 mi to the southwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Racine has a total area of 0.67 sqmi, all land. It is drained to the east by unnamed tributaries of Bear Creek, part of the Root River watershed flowing to the Mississippi River.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 442 people, 157 households, and 122 families living in the city. The population density was 659.7 PD/sqmi. There were 166 housing units at an average density of 247.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.9% White, 0.2% African American, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 157 households, of which 42.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.6% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.3% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the city was 35 years. 30.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.4% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.1% male and 48.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 355 people, 121 households, and 94 families living in the city. The population density was 804.4 PD/sqmi. There were 123 housing units at an average density of 278.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.15% White, 0.56% African American, and 0.28% from two or more races.

There were 121 households, out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.2% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 15.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $53,750, and the median income for a family was $58,125. Males had a median income of $36,607 versus $28,958 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,755. None of the population or families were below the poverty line.

Notable residents

 * Ming of Harlem, a tiger that was born in Racine

title: Racine, Minnesota