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Genola, Minnesota

Genola is a city in Morrison County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 70 at the 2020 census.

History
Genola was platted in 1908 and was a station on the Soo Line Railroad, which originally went by the name of "New Pierz". It had several other buildings, including a post office, a saloon, and a bank. In 1915, the name was changed to Genola. The present name is after Genola in Italy.

Geography
Genola is in east-central Morrison County and is bordered to the north by the larger city of Pierz and to the south, east, and west by Pierz Township. Minnesota State Highway 25 passes through the center of the community, leading south 5 mi to Buckman. State Highway 27 runs along the northern border of Genola, leading west 11 mi to Little Falls, the county seat. Highways 25 and 27 join at the Genola/Pierz border and proceed north into Pierz. Highway 25 continues north 30 mi to Brainerd, while Highway 27 leads east-northeast 27 mi to Onamia.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Genola has a total area of 0.31 sqmi, all land. The eastern border of the city is the Skunk River, which flows south and west to the Platte River, which continues south to the Mississippi River south of Royalton.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 75 people, 32 households, and 17 families living in the city. The population density was 220.6 PD/sqmi. There were 35 housing units at an average density of 102.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White.

There were 32 households, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.9% were non-families. 40.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.29.

The median age in the city was 39.3 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 20% 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 71 people, 27 households, and 20 families living in the city. The population density was 223.2 PD/sqmi. There were 27 housing units at an average density of 84.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White.

There were 27 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 22.2% 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 2.63 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 8.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $51,250 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,796. There were no families and 2.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

title: Genola, Minnesota


text:
Wakefield, New Hampshire

Wakefield is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,201 at the 2020 census. The town includes the villages of Wakefield Corner (the original town center), East Wakefield, North Wakefield, Sanbornville, Union, Woodman and Province Lake. Wakefield Corner, popular with tourists, is a picturesque hilltop village of antique buildings. The state of Maine forms the eastern border of Wakefield.

History
Initially a native settlement, Wakefield was attacked by John Lovewell during Father Rale's War. Settled later by colonists from Dover and Somersworth, the town was granted in 1749 by John Mason. It was called "East Town" before being incorporated as Wakefield in 1774 by Governor John Wentworth. Wakefield, in Yorkshire, England, is near Wentworth Castle, the home of the Wentworth ancestors.

The New Hampshire town developed as an important sledge and stage stop between the seacoast and the White Mountains. The Wakefield Inn, built in 1804 beside the principal trade route through Wakefield Corner, remains operating today.

Although the soil was considered "stubborn", farmers made it productive. Lumber became a chief product, and by 1859 there were five sawmills, five gristmills, and ten shingle, clapboard and planing mills. Shoemaking was another local industry. When the Portsmouth, Great Falls and Conway Railroad arrived in 1871, the center of Wakefield shifted from Wakefield Corner to Sanbornville, which today remains the retail district of town.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 116.3 sqkm, of which 102.6 sqkm are land and 13.6 sqkm are water, comprising 11.71% of the town.

Wakefield is at the head of several river systems. The northwestern part of the town is drained by the Pine River, a northwestward-flowing tributary of Ossipee Lake, which flows out to the east as the Ossipee River. Pine River Pond in Wakefield serves as the river's headwaters. The northernmost corner of town is in Province Lake, which drains north into the South River, a tributary of the Ossipee River. Belleau Lake and Balch Pond drain the northeastern part of the town, flowing east into the Little Ossipee River in Maine, another tributary of the Ossipee River. Via the Ossipee, the north half of Wakefield is part of the Saco River watershed. Great East Lake is in the southeastern part of Wakefield, extending into Maine. The lake's outlet is the headwaters of the Salmon Falls River, forming the New Hampshire-Maine boundary, and flowing south into Horn Pond. Lovell Lake, in the south-central part of the town, flows out to the west via the Branch River through Sanbornville. The river then turns south through Union Meadows in the southernmost part of the town, on its way to join the Salmon Falls River in Milton. Via the Salmon Falls, the southern half of Wakefield is part of the Piscataqua River watershed, reaching the Atlantic Ocean at Portsmouth. Of Wakefield's lakes, Province, Balch, Great East, and Horn Pond span the Maine border. The highest point in Wakefield is the summit of Long Mountain, at 1110 ft above sea level, along the town's western border.

Five named villages are within the town limits: Sanbornville, Wakefield village proper ("Wakefield Corner"), East Wakefield, North Wakefield and Union. Sanbornville, the primary settlement in the town, lies at the west end of Lovell Lake, next to the lake's outlet. The village is at the intersection of New Hampshire Routes 109 and 153. Route 16 bypasses the village to the west. Wakefield village occupies a hill just north of Sanbornville on Route 153. The village of Union occupies the southernmost corner of the town, at the intersection of Route 153 and Route 16 (at the northern end of the Spaulding Turnpike). East Wakefield is on Route 153, containing the land east of Pine River Pond and north to the Effingham town line. North Wakefield lies along Route 16 on the west side of Pine River Pond near the town line with Ossipee.

Adjacent municipalities

 * Effingham (north)
 * Parsonsfield, Maine (northeast)
 * Newfield, Maine (east)
 * Acton, Maine (east)
 * Milton (south)
 * Middleton (southwest)
 * Brookfield (west)
 * Wolfeboro (northwest)
 * Ossipee (northwest)

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,252 people, 1,685 households, and 1,213 families residing in the town. The population density was 108.1 PD/sqmi. There were 3,331 housing units at an average density of 84.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.21% White, 0.09% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 1,685 households, out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,500, and the median income for a family was $45,774. Males had a median income of $35,804 versus $24,898 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,507. About 5.1% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Melissa Fifield (born 1992), racing driver
 * Joshua G. Hall (1828–1898), US congressman
 * Joseph Kenney (born 1960), member of the Executive Council of New Hampshire
 * Harry Libbey (1843–1913), US congressman
 * Freddy Meyer (born 1981), defenseman for four NHL teams
 * William Nathaniel Rogers (1892–1945), US congressman
 * George A. Wentworth (1835–1906), teacher and author of textbooks

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

title: Wakefield, New Hampshire


text:
Alstead, New Hampshire

Alstead is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,864 at the 2020 census. Alstead is home to Feuer State Forest.

History
The town was chartered by Massachusetts Governor Jonathan Belcher in 1735 as one in a line of nine forts intended to protect southwestern New Hampshire from Indian attack. It was granted as "Newton" or "Newtown" in 1752 by Governor Benning Wentworth, but would be incorporated in 1763 as Alstead. It was named for Johann Heinrich Alsted, who compiled an early encyclopedia that was popular at Harvard College. Settled about 1764, Alstead would be one of the towns that wavered in its allegiance after the Revolutionary War. It decided to join Vermont in April 1781, but at the insistence of George Washington, returned to New Hampshire authority early the next year.

Formerly known as "Paper Mill Village", Alstead is the location of one of the state's first paper mills. It was established in 1793 on the Cold River by Ephraim and Elisha Kingsbury. Paper was then a rare and expensive product, made by chopping rags of linen and cotton cloth into pulp. The mill was destroyed by fire in 1880. While Alstead was basically an agricultural community, its streams and ponds once powered a variety of small mills. A turbine water mill at East Alstead is probably the last of its type anywhere in the region.

Shedd-Porter Memorial Library, built in 1909–1910 in the Beaux-Arts style, was a gift to Alstead and Langdon by native son John G. Shedd, president of Marshall Field's department store in Chicago. Another native son philanthropist, Charles M. Vilas, gave a large public recreation area, school building and the only carillon in Cheshire County.

On the weekend of October 8–9, 2005, parts of Alstead were devastated by a severe flood. Heavy rain in Cheshire County—at least 7 in in a 30-hour period—caused the Cold River and its tributaries to swell. The streamflows, which were swollen by the surge of water from Warren Brook, exceeded a 500-year recurrence interval. The storm created major property damage in Alstead, Langdon, and Walpole along the Cold River and Warren Brook. It washed away homes, cars, and 4 mi of Route 123. Four inhabitants of the town were killed. A Save Our History grant from The History Channel provided funding to the Alstead Historical Society and several students of the local high school, who wrote and printed a book called Too Much Water, Too Much Rain, chronicling the disaster and its aftermath.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 102.0 sqkm, of which 100.6 sqkm are land and 1.5 sqkm are water, comprising 1.44% of the town. Alstead is drained by the Cold River, and Lake Warren is in the eastern part of the town. The highest point in Alstead is Smith Hill, at 1795 ft above sea level. Alstead lies fully within the Connecticut River watershed.

The town is served by state routes 123, 123A and 12A.

Adjacent municipalities

 * Acworth (north)
 * Marlow (east)
 * Gilsum (southeast)
 * Surry (southwest)
 * Walpole (west)
 * Langdon (northwest)

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,944 people, 771 households, and 534 families residing in the town. The population density was 50.0 PD/sqmi. There were 941 housing units at an average density of 24.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.20% White, 0.21% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.51% Asian, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.

There were 771 households, out of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 24.5% 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 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,191, and the median income for a family was $47,311. Males had a median income of $35,481 versus $23,785 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,444. About 3.5% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Police department
The Alstead Police Department is staffed by one full-time officer, a full-time chief, a part-time officer, and a part-time administrative assistant. The town has two police cruisers, a 2017 Police Interceptor SUV and a 2016 Police Interceptor SUV, one of which was donated by an Alstead citizen.

Sites of interest

 * Alstead Historical Society Museum
 * Shedd Porter Memorial Library
 * Vilas Pool and its carillon of bells

Notable people

 * Sarah Hall Boardman (1803–1845), missionary
 * Titus Brown (1786–1849), US congressman
 * John Curtis Chamberlain (1772–1834), US congressman
 * Thomas Fletcher (1787–1866), silversmith, retailer
 * Salma Hale (1787–1866), printer, US congressman
 * Corrina Sephora Mensoff (born 1971), artist
 * Marion Nicholl Rawson (1878–1956), author, lecturer, illustrator
 * John G. Shedd (1850–1926), former chairman of Marshall Field & Co., founder of Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
 * Samuel Thomson (1769–1843), founder of the Thomsonion System of Medicine
 * Allen Wardner (1786–1877), Windsor, Vermont, businessman and banker who was also Vermont State Treasurer
 * Asa Wentworth Jr. (1797–1882), businessman, politician

title: Alstead, New Hampshire


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Elkton, Minnesota

Elkton is a city in Marshall Township, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 130 at the 2020 census.

History
Elkton was platted on January 25, 1887, by W.E. Richardson and Frank A. Day. It was incorporated on January 2, 1906. On January 30, 1906, the people of the township elected a president of the city council, three councilmen, a recorder, a treasurer, two justices of the peace, two constables and an assessor. A sidewalk was constructed on Main Street in 1908, electricity was brought in the late 1920s, and the water system was built in 1946. Curbs, gutters and new streets were added in 1965.

Geography
Elkton is in central Mower County, 15 mi east of Austin, the county seat. It is bordered to the south, east, and west by Marshall Township and to the north by Dexter Township.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Elkton has a total area of 1.281 sqmi, all land. The city is drained by Schwerin Creek, which flows northwest to Rose Creek, a tributary of the Cedar River.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 141 people, 58 households, and 40 families living in the city. The population density was 108.5 PD/sqmi. There were 59 housing units at an average density of 45.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 58 households, of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.0% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% 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 3.00.

The median age in the city was 40.8 years. 29.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 149 people, 52 households, and 37 families living in the city. The population density was 113.7 PD/sqmi. There were 59 housing units at an average density of 45.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.33% White, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.03% of the population.

There were 52 households, out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were married couples living together, 1.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.54.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 35.6% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,813, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $29,688 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,950. There were 2.9% of families and 5.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including 10.4% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Notable people

 * Alvin Baldus (1926–2017), state politician and congressman for Wisconsin's third district

title: Elkton, Minnesota


text:
Frankford Township, Mower County, Minnesota

Frankford Township is a township in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 358 at the 2000 census. The largest town located partially within the township is Grand Meadow, with a population of 945 people. The eastern half of Grand Meadow is in Frankford Township and the western half is in Grand Meadow Township. All other areas of the township are unincorporated. There was a village called Frankford on Deer Creek in the far eastern part of the township near Fillmore County. It almost became the county seat but lost this distinction to Austin.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 30.0 sqmi, of which 30.0 sqmi is land and 0.03% is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 358 people, 125 households, and 101 families residing in the township. The population density was 11.9 people per square mile (4.6/km$2$). There were 131 housing units at an average density of 4.4/sq mi (1.7/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 100.00% White.

There were 125 households, out of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples living together, 4.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.4% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.86 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the township the age distribution of the population showed 28.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $56,250, and the median income for a family was $61,250. Males had a median income of $31,641 versus $31,771 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,845. About 4.0% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.

Frankford Village
The village of Frankford Village was settled along the banks of Deer Creek in 1854 by Lewis Patchin, Bartlett Leathers, and Byron Woodworth. The town was platted in 1856 and it was declared the county seat. At one time it was a bustling frontier village that had three stores, a schoolhouse, a cemetery, three blacksmith and wagon shops, a gristmill, a chair and coffin factory, a shoe shop and the Patchin Hotel which also served as the post office. County court was held here and the county's records were stored in an upstairs room of Patchin's Hotel. After being passed over as the county's seat, its population slowly dwindled. When the Southern Minnesota Railroad was laid in 1870 it ran four miles south of the village and this development is what ultimately spelled doom for the once-thriving community. Rather than move the city to the railroad as the citizens of the Old Village of Le Roy did, the citizens simply relocated to other parts of the township and county. All that is left of the old village is a cemetery, which is still used, that can be found in the northeast quadrant of section 24 of Frankford Township.

Cemeteries

 * Frankford Cemetery is located in the northeast quadrant of section 24 of the township. It is directly south of the Old Frankford Village.
 * Bear Creek Cemetery is located in the southeast quadrant of section 7 of the township. Its oldest known burial dates to 1872.
 * Methodist Norwegian Cemetery is a deserted cemetery located in the southeast quadrant of section 7 of the township. Its last burial dates to 1940.
 * Sever Temanson Cemetery is located in the southwest corner of the northwest quadrant of section 8 of the township. It is now not used, but it was used for burials between 1854 and 1870.


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Chesterfield, New Hampshire

Chesterfield is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,552 at the 2020 census. It includes the villages of Spofford and West Chesterfield. Chesterfield is home to Spofford Lake, Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area, and parts of Pisgah State Park and Wantastiquet Mountain State Forest.

History
Granted in 1735 by Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massachusetts, this town was the site of Fort Number 1, first in the line of forts bordering the Connecticut River. After the border between Massachusetts and New Hampshire was fixed, the town was incorporated on February 11, 1752 by Governor Benning Wentworth as Chesterfield, named for Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield. The first settlers were Moses Smith and William Thomas, who, with their families, came up the Connecticut in canoes, in the fall of 1761. Their chief subsistence through the winter and spring of their first year in the wilderness consisted of salmon and shad, of which there was a great abundance in the river, and deer, which were numerous in the forests. The town contains some of the finest farmland in Cheshire County, yet once was also home to small manufacturing, notably spinning wheel parts and hand tools.

In 1772, Philip Embury conducted the first Methodist religious services in New Hampshire at the James Robertson farm in Chesterfield, and in 1803, Francis Asbury preached here. Asbury Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized for its historic puritan design. Asbury Church is considered the "Mother Church of Methodism" in New Hampshire, and is the oldest Methodist church in the state. The town has had continual Methodist Sunday services for over 225 years.

Chesterfield Academy, established in 1794, was for decades one of the most celebrated in the state. Spofford Lake is one of the region's largest and oldest resorts.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 123.1 km2, of which 118.0 km2 are land and 5.1 km2, or 4.17%, are water. Chesterfield is bounded on the west by the Connecticut River. The highest point in the town is near its southern border, atop Davis Hill, at 1427 ft above sea level. Chesterfield lies fully within the Connecticut River watershed.

The town is served by state routes 9 and 63.

Adjacent municipalities

 * Westmoreland (north)
 * Keene (northeast)
 * Swanzey (east)
 * Winchester (south)
 * Hinsdale (south)
 * Brattleboro, Vermont (southwest)
 * Dummerston, Vermont (west)

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,542 people, 1,366 households, and 1,005 families residing in the town. The population density was 77.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,632 housing units at an average density of 35.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.80% White, 0.23% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 1,366 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 30.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,351, and the median income for a family was $58,516. Males had a median income of $44,087 versus $26,547 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,051. About 4.9% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Sites of interest

 * Asbury Church (1844)
 * Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area
 * Pisgah State Park
 * Madam Sherri Forest

Notable people

 * Helen Field Comstock (1840–1930), poet, philanthropist
 * Theodore Davis (c. 1778–1841), merchant, surveyor, politician
 * William H. Haile (1833–1901), businessman, politician
 * Broughton Harris (1822–1899), Vermont newspaper editor, businessman who was one of the Runaway Officials of 1851 as Secretary of the Utah Territory
 * Larkin Goldsmith Mead (1835–1910), sculptor who worked in a neoclassical style
 * John Davis Pierce (1797–1882), educator
 * George Randall (1832–1908), business owner, politician in Canadian province of Ontario
 * Harlan Fiske Stone (1872–1946), 52nd Attorney General and 12th Chief Justice of the United States
 * Winthrop E. Stone (1862–1921), professor, college president
 * Charles Tazewell (1900–1972), actor, radio playwright, children's book author
 * Hoyt Henry Wheeler (1833–1906), judge

title: Chesterfield, New Hampshire


text:
Dublin, New Hampshire

Dublin is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,532 at the 2020 census. It is home to Dublin School and Yankee magazine.

History
In 1749, the Masonian proprietors granted the town as "Monadnock No. 3" (or North Monadnock) to Matthew Thornton and 39 others. The 40 grantees came mostly from middle and eastern parts of New Hampshire; none of them became settlers in the township. The deed of grant, which dated November 3, 1749, was given by Col. Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable.

The French and Indian War thwarted permanent settlement until the 1760s, when Irishman Henry Strongman moved from Peterborough. Other early settlers arrived from Sherborn, Massachusetts. In 1771, Governor John Wentworth incorporated the town, naming it after Strongman's birthplace: Dublin, Ireland.

Like all towns in this area, the terrain features hills and valleys. Farmers found the soil hard and rocky, but with effort it yielded maize, oats, barley and potatoes, with some wheat and rye. Orchards were common. The first census, taken in 1790, reported 901 residents. By 1859, there were 1,088. In 1870, the small mill town of Harrisville voted to separate from Dublin, leaving the latter with only 455 residents during the 1880 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 75.1 km2, of which 72.2 km2 are land and 2.8 km2 are water, comprising 3.78% of the town. The northern slopes of Mount Monadnock occupy the southern part of town. The highest point in Dublin is along Monadnock's northeastern ridge, where the elevation reaches 2834 ft above sea level at the town line. Roughly the western half of Dublin lies within the Connecticut River watershed, drained by tributaries of the Ashuelot River, with the eastern half located in the Merrimack River watershed, drained by tributaries of the Contoocook River.

The ponds in Dublin include Monadnock Lake (now known as Dublin Pond), Farnum (Dark) Pond, and Wight Pond, as well as Howe, Knight, and Electric Company reservoirs.

Dublin Pond is a clean sheet of water that has brought many families of wealth to the area. It is surrounded by a vast area of woods leading to the edge of the summit of Mount Monadnock, and from its surface the summit and northwestern sides of the mountain are visible. At the right hour on the right kind of day, the mountain is clearly reflected upon the surface of the pond.

The town is crossed by New Hampshire Route 101 and New Hampshire Route 137. NH 101 leads east 6 mi to Peterborough and west 8 mi to Marlborough and 13 mi to Keene. NH 137 leads north 7 mi to Hancock and south 6 mi to Jaffrey.

Adjacent municipalities

 * Harrisville (north)
 * Peterborough (east)
 * Jaffrey (south)
 * Marlborough (west)

Architecture
The history of Dublin's architecture starts with the foundation of the United States, and the development of the Federal style of architecture. The style in Dublin can be attributed to one Rufus Piper, who served as the town moderator and was a carpenter at the time. Piper was responsible for adding fans to various houses in the town, which included his own home and his grandfather's house.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 1,476 people, 560 households and 417 families residing in the town. The population density was 52.7 PD/sqmi. There were 686 housing units at an average density of 24.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.29% White, 0.34% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.41% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.15% of the population.

There were 560 households, of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.4% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.89.

23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 32.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.5 males.

The median household income was $52,150 and the median income for a family was $57,578. Males had a median income of $36,853 compared with $25,859 for females. The per capita income was $27,028. About 6.0% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Dublin is the base for Yankee Publishing Inc., the publisher of the Old Farmer's Almanac and Yankee magazine.

Education

 * Dublin School, a coeducational private boarding school, founded in 1935 by Paul W. Lehmann
 * The Walden School, a summer music camp on the campus of Dublin School
 * Dublin Christian Academy, founded in 1963

The visit from ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá
In 1912, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, the son and chosen successor of the Baháʼu'lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Baháʼí Faith, visited Dublin for 23 days, from July 25 to August 16, on his journey through the United States to spread the Bahá’í teachings after his release from 40 years of imprisonment. Spending the most consecutive days of his journey in Dublin, he gave many talks ranging from gender equality, the immortality of the soul, industrial and economic justice, the elimination of racial prejudice, spiritual and material education, Biblical symbolism, theology, the coming together of people from the East and the West, and other Bahá’í principles. In Dublin, ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá stayed with Agnes Parsons, a Bahá’í socialite from Washington, DC, and a summer resident of Dublin whose home once stood on Windmill Hill Road. The first of his two high-profile addresses in Dublin was at a gathering at the Parsons' boathouse on Dublin Pond, owned now by the Dublin School, with local non-resident African-American servants who worked in town. In this gathering he spoke on the need for unity and amity between blacks and whites and announced the interracial marriage of two young Bahá’ís, Louis Gregory, an African-American lawyer, and Louisa Mathew, a white English woman, whom he had previously suggested to marry each other. This act was considered radical at the time, with interracial marriage still illegal in many states.

Asked to speak at the local Unitarian church one Sunday, an event attracting some 300 people, ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá spoke on the subject of spiritual education. The anniversary of his historic visit and address is commemorated annually by the church, known now as the Dublin Community Church. Rev. Howard Colby Ives, a Unitarian minister, wrote of that day,"What His subject was I do not recall, nor does a single word of His address remain with me. My memory is all of the quiet New England church; the crowded pews, and ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá on the platform. His cream-colored robe; His white hair and beard; His radiant smile and courteous demeanor... And His voice! Like a resonant bell of finest timbre; never loud but of such penetrating quality that the walls of the room seemed to vibrate with its music." ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá spent time at the Dublin Inn, which has since been purchased and donated to the Bahá’í community as a space for gathering, prayer, meditation, and historic preservation.

Current events
2019 is the 48th year for the Dublin Gas Engine Meet on Cricket Hill Farm, which is the longest lasting tradition in Dublin after Town Meeting. Every year, the town prepares starting in October for the Halloween events around town that occur each year.

Notable people

 * ʻAbdu'l-Bahá (1844–1921), eldest son of Baháʼu'lláh and served as head of the Baháʼí Faith, visited Dublin for 23 days
 * Galen Clark (1814–1910), nature activist
 * Grenville Clark (1882–1967), lawyer, nominee for Nobel Peace Prize
 * Doris Haddock (1910–2010), political activist for Campaign finance reform in the United States, walked 3,000 miles across the United States giving speeches in support of this cause along the way
 * Moses Mason, Jr. (1789–1866), physician, US congressman
 * William Preston Phelps (1848–1923), artist, known as "the Painter of the Monadnock"
 * Abbott Handerson Thayer (1849–1921), artist, naturalist, teacher
 * Mark Twain (1835–1910), writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, lecturer (summer resident, two years)

title: Dublin, New Hampshire


text:
Cameron Township, Murray County, Minnesota

Cameron Township is a township in Murray County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 151 at the 2000 census.

Cameron Township was organized in 1878, and named for Charles Cameron Cole, a pioneer settler.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.0 sqmi, of which 35.9 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi  (0.44%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 151 people, 53 households, and 41 families residing in the township. The population density was 4.2 PD/sqmi. There were 59 housing units at an average density of 1.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 99.34% White and 0.66% Asian.

There were 53 households, out of which 43.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.5% were married couples living together, and 22.6% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% 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 3.37.

In the township the population was spread out, with 31.1% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $25,833, and the median income for a family was $30,625. Males had a median income of $21,406 versus $27,500 for females. The per capita income for the township was $12,991. There were 14.3% of families and 17.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 16.3% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Politics
Cameron Township is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat. At the state level, Cameron Township is located in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Doug Magnus, and in House District 22A, represented by Republican Joe Schomacker.


text:
Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire

Fitzwilliam is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,351 at the 2020 census. Fitzwilliam is home to Rhododendron State Park, a 16 acre grove of native rhododendrons that bloom in mid-July.

History
First granted as "Monadnock No. 4" in 1752 by colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, this was one in a line of eight towns settled by Scottish colonists. Incorporated in 1773 by Governor John Wentworth, the town was named for his cousin, William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. Two early grantees in Fitzwilliam were Matthew Thornton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and James Reed, who would lead the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment at Bunker Hill.

The community claims one of the oldest granite quarries in New Hampshire. Other industries included wood-working and yarn-making. The railroad entered in 1848.

Fitzwilliam's picturesque common, together with twelve antique houses that surround it, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 93.3 km2, of which 89.7 km2 are land and 3.6 km2 are water, comprising 3.88% of the town. Little Monadnock Mountain, elevation 1883 ft, is the highest point in Fitzwilliam, located in the western part of town. The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail traverses the summit, as does a shorter side trail from Rhododendron State Park. The town is drained by the South Branch of the Ashuelot River, the source of which is Bowker Pond. Fitzwilliam lies fully within the Connecticut River watershed.

The town is served by state routes 12 and 119.

Adjacent municipalities

 * Troy (north)
 * Jaffrey (northeast)
 * Rindge (east)
 * Winchendon, Massachusetts (southeast)
 * Royalston, Massachusetts (south)
 * Richmond (west)

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,141 people, 836 households, and 586 families residing in the town. The population density was 61.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,074 housing units at an average density of 31.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.52% White, 0.37% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population. 17.5% were of French, 16.6% English, 10.5% American, 10.5% Irish, 6.4% Italian, 6.0% Finnish, 6.0% German and 5.6% French Canadian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 836 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 22.4% 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 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 29.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $48,125, and the median income for a family was $55,476. Males had a median income of $35,474 versus $29,130 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,127. About 3.3% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Residents of Fitzwilliam attending public high school go to Monadnock Regional High School in Swanzey. Elementary school students attend Emerson Elementary School.

Sites of interest

 * Amos J. Blake House (1837) — Fitzwilliam Historical Society]
 * Rhododendron State Park
 * Entries on the National Register of Historic Places
 * Fitzwilliam Common Historic District — Jct. of NH 119, Richmond Rd., and Templeton Hwy. (added June 2, 1997)
 * Old Patch Place — Rhododendron Road at the entrance to Rhododendron State Park (added September 15, 1980)
 * Third Fitzwilliam Meetinghouse — Village Green (added September 26, 1977)

Notable people

 * Joseph Lee Heywood (1837–1876), treasurer
 * Nahum Parker (1760–1839), U.S. senator
 * Elijah Phillips (1809–1832), early settler of Illinois
 * Edward C. Reed (1793–1883), US congressman from New York
 * James Reed (c. 1722–1807), Revolutionary era brigadier-general
 * Frank E. Riley (1865–?), Wisconsin state assemblyman
 * Harry Dexter White (1892–1948), economist, senior US Treasury department official

title: Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire


text:
Lake Wilson, Minnesota

Lake Wilson is a city in Murray County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 254 at the 2020 census.

History
Lake Wilson was platted in 1883 and incorporated as a village on July 12, 1900. It was named by J. E. Wilson (a landowner in the area) who also named the nearby lake for himself.

On June 16, 1992, Lake Wilson was struck by a devastating F5 tornado that completely destroyed half of the town, which has since been rebuilt.

On January 12, 2004, the city's firehall exploded, destroying it and the nearby elevator. It also damaged many nearby houses and businesses. The blast was audible at 25 mi, and could be felt as far as 30 mi away. The city estimated that recovery costs resulting from the explosion totaled about $4.2 million. Since then both the firehall and elevator have been rebuilt.

Geography
Lake Wilson is in western Murray County. It is bordered to the north, west, and south by Chanarambie Township and to the east by Leeds Township. Minnesota State Highways 30 and 91 are two of the main routes in the community. MN 30 runs through the southern part of the city, leading east 10 mi to Slayton, the county seat, and west 18 mi to Pipestone. MN 91 passes through the center of the city, leading north 23 mi to Russell and south 25 mi to Adrian.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Lake Wilson has a total area of 0.50 sqmi, of which 0.41 sqmi are land and 0.08 sqmi, or 16.77%, are water. The community's namesake, Lake Wilson, occupies the eastern part of the city limits.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 251 people, 128 households, and 72 families living in the city. The population density was 597.6 PD/sqmi. There were 139 housing units at an average density of 331.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.6% White and 0.4% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 128 households, of which 15.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 3.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 0.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.8% were non-families. 40.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 2.61.

The median age in the city was 51.2 years. 16.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.2% were from 25 to 44; 35.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.6% male and 47.4% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 270 people, 128 households, and 83 families living in the city. The population density was 650.1 PD/sqmi. There were 135 housing units at an average density of 325.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.89% White, 0.37% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.07% of the population.

There were 128 households, out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.60.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.7% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,375, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $32,813 versus $18,594 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,573. About 13.3% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 12.3% of those 65 or over.

Politics
Lake Wilson is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat. At the state level, Lake Wilson is located in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Doug Magnus, and in House District 22A, represented by Republican Joe Schomacker.

title: Lake Wilson, Minnesota


text:
Leeds Township, Murray County, Minnesota

Leeds Township is a township in Murray County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 238 at the 2000 census.

Leeds Township was organized in 1873, and is named after the city of Leeds, England.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.6 sqmi, of which 35.3 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi  (0.79%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 238 people, 84 households, and 65 families residing in the township. The population density was 6.7 PD/sqmi. There were 88 housing units at an average density of 2.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.48% White, 1.26% Native American, and 1.26% from two or more races.

There were 84 households, out of which 42.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.4% were married couples living together, 2.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.34.

In the township the population was spread out, with 34.9% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $40,625, and the median income for a family was $41,563. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $30,208 for females. The per capita income for the township was $31,218. About 15.4% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.0% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

Politics
Leeds Township is located in Minnesota's 7th congressional district, represented by Collin Peterson, a Democrat. At the state level, Leeds Township is located in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Bill Weber, and in House District 22A, represented by Republican Joe Schomacker.


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Lime Lake Township, Murray County, Minnesota

Lime Lake Township is a township in Murray County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 225 at the 2000 census.

Lime Lake Township was organized in 1873, and named after Lime Lake.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.9 sqmi, of which 34.5 sqmi is land and 0.4 sqmi  (1.29%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 225 people, 85 households, and 61 families residing in the township. The population density was 6.5 PD/sqmi. There were 91 housing units at an average density of 2.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 96.44% White, 0.44% Asian, and 3.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.44% of the population.

There were 85 households, out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the township the population was spread out, with 32.0% under the age of 18, 2.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 122.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $41,563. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,354. About 3.8% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 10.7% of those 65 or over.

Politics
Lime Lake Township is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat. At the state level, Lime Lake Township is located in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Doug Magnus, and in House District 22A, represented by Republican Joe Schomacker.


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Gilsum, New Hampshire

Gilsum is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 752 at the 2020 census. Home to Bear's Den Natural Area, Gilsum includes Gilsum Lower Village.

History
The land was originally named "Boyle" after Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington, when the land was granted by the Masonian Proprietors in 1752, but ongoing hostilities during the French and Indian War prevented settlement. When the grant lapsed, the town was rechartered by Governor Benning Wentworth on July 13, 1763, as Gilsum, in a portmanteau of the surnames of two proprietors, Samuel Gilbert and his son-in-law, Thomas Sumner. It was first settled in 1764 by Josiah Kilburn from Hebron, Connecticut.

The Ashuelot River provided water power for woolen mills. By 1859, when the population was 668, there was also a bobbin factory, a chair factory, and a tannery. Gilsum used to be a center for mining mica and feldspar. High-quality crystals, especially beryl, tourmaline, and quartz, can also be found. Today, Gilsum is headquarters to the W.S. Badger Company, makers of "balms, potions and natural remedies."

The town contains the Stone Arch Bridge, completed in 1863 with the highest vault (36 feet, 6 inches) of any mortarless bridge in New Hampshire. In 1989, it was added to the National Register.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.2 km2, of which 0.06 km2 are water, comprising 0.13% of the town. The highest point in Gilsum is an unnamed hill along the town's eastern boundary, where the elevation reaches 1657 ft above sea level. Gilsum is drained by the Ashuelot River and lies fully within the Connecticut River watershed.

The town is served by New Hampshire Route 10.

Adjacent municipalities

 * Alstead (north)
 * Marlow (northeast)
 * Stoddard (east)
 * Sullivan (east)
 * Keene (south)
 * Surry (west)

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 777 people, 310 households, and 220 families residing in the town. The population density was 46.6 PD/sqmi. There were 343 housing units at an average density of 20.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.46% White, 0.39% Native American, 0.13% Asian, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.

There were 310 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% 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 2.90.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 31.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,359, and the median income for a family was $50,469. Males had a median income of $35,150 versus $24,205 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,955. About 1.9% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.

Sites of interest

 * Gilsum Historical Society Museum
 * New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 168: Gilsum Stone Arch Bridge

Notable people

 * Lucy Mack (1775–1856), mother of the Latter Day Saint movement founder Joseph Smith
 * Daniel Whitney (1795–1862), Wisconsin businessman, pioneer

title: Gilsum, New Hampshire


text:
Harrisville, New Hampshire

Harrisville is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. Besides the town center, it also includes the villages of Chesham and Eastview. The population of the town was 984 at the 2020 census.

It is a preserved 19th-century mill town located in the Monadnock region of southern New Hampshire. There are nine bodies of water in the town, many back roads and trails to explore, and two original train depots at Harrisville and Chesham.

History
First known as "Twitchell's Mills", a combination sawmill and gristmill was built here in 1774. The town of Harrisville was formed in 1870 from lands ceded by Marlborough, Dublin, Hancock, Nelson, and Roxbury. The Manchester & Keene Railroad opened in 1878, helping it prosper as a textile mill town. It was named for Milan Harris, whose stone and brick Cheshire Mills operated until 1970, but look virtually unchanged since the mid-19th century.

Today, the Cheshire Mills are protected as part of the Harrisville Historic District, a National Historic Landmark which includes the center of town. With its red brick buildings and mills reflected in Harrisville Pond and canal, the village is frequently photographed as an iconic example of picturesque old New England. The Harrisville Rural District includes the southern part of the town near the Dublin border.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 52.4 sqkm, of which 48.3 sqkm are land and 4.1 sqkm are water, comprising 7.79% of the town. The highest point in Harrisville is the summit of Cobb Hill, at 1909 ft above sea level. Roughly the western half of Harrisville, drained by Minnewawa Brook, lies within the Ashuelot River watershed, part of the Connecticut River basin, while the eastern half, drained by Nubanusit Brook, is in the Contoocook River watershed, part of the Merrimack River basin. Significant water bodies include Silver Lake, Seaver Reservoir, and Chesham Pond on the western side, and Harrisville Pond and Skatutakee Lake draining to the east.

Adjacent municipalities

 * Nelson (north)
 * Hancock (east)
 * Peterborough (southeast)
 * Dublin (south)
 * Marlborough (southwest)
 * Roxbury (west)

Churches
The Community Church of Harrisville and Chesham was formed from Chesham Baptist Church and Harrisville Congregational Church. Chesham Baptist Church dates back to 1785. The church building was originally built in 1797, re-modeled in 1830, and again re-modeled in 1844. The Evangelical Congregational Church of Harrisville dates back to 1840, and the church building was erected in 1840–1843.

The Community Church is a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the American Baptist Association, and it retains a united congregation using only the brick church in Harrisville village. The church in Chesham is owned by the American Baptist Association of Vermont & New Hampshire and is no longer used by the Community Church of Harrisville & Chesham.

Harrisville was home to St. Denis Parish of the Roman Catholic Church from 1902 to 2010, when services ended following the merger with Saint Peter Parish in Peterborough and Saint Patrick Parish in Bennington. The church building is now owned by Historic Harrisville and is referred to as St. Denis Hall.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 1,075 people, 449 households and 306 families residing in the town. The population density was 57.4 /sqmi. There were 698 housing units at an average density of 37.2 /sqmi. The racial make-up of the town was 97.77% White, 0.09% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.28% Asian and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 449 households of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present and 31.8% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% 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 2.87.

24.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64 and 15.0% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median household income was $48,625 and the median family income was $55,083. Males had a median income of $34,625 and females $27,171. The per capita income was $25,397. About 4.3% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The elementary school is Wells Memorial School in Chesham.

title: Harrisville, New Hampshire


text:
Keene, New Hampshire

Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,047 at the 2020 census, down from 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat and the only city in the county.

Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England. It hosted the state's annual pumpkin festival from 1991 to 2014, several times setting a world record for most jack-o'-lanterns on display.

The grocery wholesaler C&S Wholesale Grocers is based in Keene.

History
In 1735, colonial Governor Jonathan Belcher granted lots in the township of "Upper Ashuelot" to 63 settlers who paid £5 each (equivalent to US$ in ). It was settled after 1736 on Equivalent Lands.

In 1747, during King George's War, the village was attacked and burned by Natives. Colonists fled to safety, but would return to rebuild in 1749. It was regranted to its inhabitants in 1753 by Governor Benning Wentworth, who renamed it "Keene" after Sir Benjamin Keene,

In 2011, Massachusetts man Thomas Ball immolated himself on the steps of a courthouse in Keene to protest what he considered the court system's abuse of divorced fathers' rights.

Geography
Keene is located at 42.93361°N, -72.27806°W (42.9339, −72.2784).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 96.7 sqkm, of which 96.1 sqkm are land and 0.7 sqkm are water, the latter comprising 0.69% of the town. Keene is drained by the Ashuelot River. The highest point in Keene is the summit of Grays Hill in the city's northwestern corner, at 1388 ft above sea level. Keene is entirely within the Connecticut River watershed, with all of the city except for the northwestern corner draining to the Connecticut via the Ashuelot.

State highways converge on Keene from nine directions. New Hampshire Route 9 leads northeast to Concord, the state capital, and west to Brattleboro, Vermont. Route 10 leads north to Newport and southwest to Northfield, Massachusetts. Route 12 leads northwest to Walpole and Charlestown and southeast to Winchendon, Massachusetts. Route 101 leads east to Peterborough and Manchester, Route 32 leads south to Swanzey, then to Athol, Massachusetts, and Route 12A leads north to Surry and Alstead. A limited-access bypass used variously by Routes 9, 10, 12, and 101 passes around the north, west, and south sides of downtown.

Keene is served by Dillant–Hopkins Airport, located just south of the city in Swanzey.

Climate
Keene is located in a humid continental climate zone. It experiences all four seasons quite distinctly. The average high temperature in July is 82 F, and the record high for Keene is 102 F. As with other cities in the eastern U.S., periods of high humidity can raise heat indices to near 110 F. During the summer, Keene can get hit by thunderstorms from the west, but the Green Mountains to the west often break up some of the storms, so that Keene doesn't usually experience a thunderstorm at full strength. The last time a tornado hit Cheshire County was in 1997.

The winters in Keene can be very harsh. The most recent such winter was 2002–2003, when Keene received 112.5 in of snow. The majority of the snowfall in Keene comes from nor'easters, areas of low pressure that move up the Atlantic coast and strengthen. Many times these storms can produce blizzard conditions across southern New England. Recent examples are the blizzard of 2005 and the blizzard of 2006. Keene is situated in an area where cold air meets the moisture from the south, so often Keene gets the jackpot with winter storms. Aside from snow, winters can be very cold. Even in the warmest of winters, Keene will typically experience at least one night below 0 F. During January 2004, Keene saw highs below freezing 25 of the days, including five days in the single digits and one day with a high of zero. Overnight lows dropped below zero 12 times, including 7 nights below −10 F. The record low in Keene is −31 F. In addition to the cold temperatures, Keene can receive biting winds that drive the wind chill down below −30 F.

Snow can occur through the end of April, but on the other end of the spectrum, 80 F days can begin in late March. Autumn weather is similar. Keene's first snowfall usually occurs in early November, though the city can also see 60 F days into mid-November. Significant rain events can occur in the spring and fall. For example, record rainfall and flooding with the axis of heaviest rain (around 12 in) near Keene occurred in October 2005. Another significant flood event occurred in May of the following year.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 23,409 people, 9,052 households, and 4,843 families residing in the city. The population density was 627.6 PD/sqmi. There were 9,719 housing units at an average density of 260.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.004% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 0.5% some other race, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 9,052 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were headed by married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.5% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% consisted of someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26, and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 16.6% under the age of 18, 24.1% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

For the period of 2010 through 2014, the estimated median income for a household in the city was $52,327, and the median income for a family was $75,057. Male full-time workers had a median income of $50,025 versus $39,818 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,366. About 6.7% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Keene's government consists of a mayor and a city council which has 15 members. Two are elected from each of the city's five wards, and five councilors are elected at-large.

In the New Hampshire Senate, Keene is included in the 10th District and is represented by Democrat Donovan Fenton. On the New Hampshire Executive Council, Keene is in the 2nd District and is represented by Democrat Cinde Warmington. In the United States House of Representatives, Keene is a part of New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District and is currently represented by Democrat Ann McLane Kuster.

Keene is a strongly Democratic-leaning city at the presidential level, as no Republican presidential nominee has carried the city in over two decades.

Media
Several media sources are located in Keene. These include:

Print

 * The Keene Sentinel
 * The Monadnock Shopper News
 * The Equinox, student newspaper of Keene State College
 * Parent Express
 * FPP News

Radio
The city has several radio stations licensed by the FCC to Keene. The stations are:
 * AM
 * WZBK 1220 (Sports)
 * WKBK 1290 (News/Talk), formerly WKNE. Simulcast on W281AU, 104.1 FM.

 * FM
 * WEVN 90.7, operated by New Hampshire Public Radio
 * WKNH 91.3, operated by Keene State College
 * WSNI 97.7 (Adult Contemporary, Sunny 97). WSNI changed its city of license from Swanzey to Keene in September 2009.
 * W256BJ 99.1, (Adult Album Alternative, "The River", //WKNE-HD2)
 * W276CB 103.1, (Oldies, "Oldies 103.1", //WKNE-HD3)
 * WKNE 103.7 (Hot Adult Contemporary, 1037 KNE FM)

 * Syndicated programming
 * Free Talk Live, nationally syndicated radio talk show based in Keene

Television
Keene is part of the Boston television market. Time Warner Cable is the major supplier of cable television programming for Keene. Local stations offered on Time Warner include most major Boston-area and New Hampshire stations (including WEKW), as well as WVTA, the Vermont PBS outlet in Windsor, Vermont.
 * Cheshire TV, local cable programming
 * WEKW-TV (Digital 48/Virtual 52), New Hampshire Public Television affiliate (PBS)
 * When Elderly Attack (season 8)

Education
Keene is often considered a minor college town, as it is the site of Keene State College, whose students make up a substantial portion of the city's population, and Antioch University New England.

At the secondary level, Keene serves as the educational nexus of the area, due in large part to its status as the largest community of Cheshire County. Keene High School is the largest regional High School in Cheshire County, serving about 1,850 students.

Keene has one middle school, Keene Middle School, and four elementary schools, as of 2014: Fuller Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Symonds Elementary School, Wheelock Elementary School. Jonathan Daniels was downsized to only pre-school and administration offices.

Keene is part of New Hampshire's School Administrative Unit 29, or SAU 29.

Religion
Keene has more than 20 churches, mostly Protestant, and one synagogue, Congregation Ahavas Achim. A significant landmark in downtown Keene is the United Church of Christ at Central Square, colloquially known in town as the "White Church" or the "Church at the Head of the Square". A second church on the square was Grace United Methodist Church, also known as the "Brick Church", but it is now privately owned and operated for secular purposes. The Grace United Methodist congregation moved to another site.

Keene is the seat of the Roman Catholic Parish of the Holy Spirit, whose pastor is the Dean of the Monadnock Deanery, a division under the see of the Diocese of Manchester. The parish has two churches in the City of Keene, Saint Bernard and Saint Margaret Mary. Keene has one Episcopal church, Saint James, which is within the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. Keene also has one Greek Orthodox church, Saint George, which is under the see of the Metropolis of Boston.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building is home to the Keene Ward and is part of the Nashua, New Hampshire Stake.

Pumpkin

Every October from 1991 to 2014, Keene hosted an annual pumpkin festival called the Keene Pumpkin Festival, locally known as Pumpkin Fest. The event set world records several times for the largest simultaneous number of jack-o'-lanterns on display. The first time was in 1993, when Keene set the record with nearly 5,000 carved and lit pumpkins. The tally from the 2003 festival stood as the record until Boston took the lead in 2006, but Keene reclaimed the world record in 2013, with a total of 30,581 pumpkins, according to Guinness World Records. Besides the pumpkins stacked on massive towers set in the streets, thousands of additional pumpkins were installed along the streets of the city. Face painting, fireworks, music, and other entertainments were also provided.

After riots from college students (the majority of which were not associated with Keene State and were in attendance due to the publicity of the 2013 festival) nearby to the 2014 event location, the Keene Pumpkin Festival was moved to Laconia the following year and renamed the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival. From 2017 onward (except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire), the organizers of the 2011 through 2014 Keene Pumpkin Festivals, along with the 2015 New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival in Laconia, have run a new smaller, child-focused Keene Pumpkin Festival with a number of restrictions in place, promoting it as the "official" continuation of the Keene Pumpkin Festival.

Music
In late August or early September the city hosts the Keene Music Festival. Several stages are located throughout the downtown area during the day's events, which are free to the public and sponsored by locally owned businesses. Visitors, mostly from the local community, roam the city's sidewalks listening to the dozens of bands.

Pride
Keene Pride Week and festival takes place during the second week of September every year.

In popular culture

 * The 1949 movie Lost Boundaries, starring Mel Ferrer, tells the true story of a black Keene physician who passed as white for many years. The film won the 1949 Cannes Film Festival award for best screenplay.
 * Much of the 1995 movie Jumanji, starring Robin Williams, was filmed in Keene in November 1994, as the movie's fictional town of Brantford. Frank's Barber Shop is a featured setting as well as the Parrish Shoe sign, which was painted for the film. The sign served as a focal point for a temporary Robin Williams memorial in the days following the actor's death on August 11, 2014.

Music and theatre
In 1979, First Lady Rosalynn Carter dedicated the bandstand in Central Square as the E. E. Bagley Bandstand, after the noted composer of the National Emblem March, who made Keene his home until his death in 1922.

Many community groups perform on a regular basis, including the Keene Chamber Orchestra, the Keene Chamber Singers, the Keene Chorale, the Greater Keene Pops Choir, and the Keene Jazz Orchestra.

The Cheshiremen Chorus, a local chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, meet every Tuesday at 6:30 pm at the Hannah Grimes Center at 25 Roxbury Street.

The Monadnock Pathway Singers are an all-volunteer hospice group based in Keene whose members come from many different towns within Cheshire County. They sing in nursing homes, hospitals, assisted-living centers and in private homes throughout Cheshire County.

Every year, the Keene branch of the Lions Clubs International performs a Broadway musical at the Colonial Theatre (a restored theatre dating back to 1924), to raise money for the community. Other theatres and auditoriums include the new Keene High School Auditorium and the county's largest auditorium, the Larracey Auditorium at Keene Middle School, and The Putnam Arts Lecture Hall on the campus of Keene State. Keene Cinemas is the local movie theater located off of Key Road.

Sports
Keene is home to the Keene Swamp Bats baseball team of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). The Swamp Bats play at Alumni Field in Keene during June and July of each summer. The Swamp Bats are five-time league champions (2000, 2003, 2011, 2013, and 2019). They are consistently at the top of the NECBL in attendance, having led the league in 2002, 2004, and 2005.

The Elm City Derby Damez roller derby league, members of USA Roller Sports (USARS), call Keene home while playing their officially sanctioned bouts in nearby Brattleboro, Vermont. They compete against many other women's flat track leagues around the northeastern United States.

The Monadnock Wolfpack Rugby Football Club now calls Keene its home. They play in NERFU (New England Rugby Football Union) division IV at Carpenter Field, on Carpenter Street. They will defend their undefeated championship 2018 season in the Fall of 2019.

Free Keene activism
The city has become home to an active voluntaryist protest group known as Free Keene, which is associated with the Free State Project. Some Free Keene activists have been arrested for video recording in courtrooms as an act of civil disobedience, in violation of the state's wiretapping law. In 2009, Keene's Central Square Park had become the center of daily 4:20 pm smoke-ins which advocated the legalization of marijuana.

Free Keene has encountered opposition from other Keene residents. While some of the activists' techniques can be relatively confrontational, and the WMUR report mentioned a tongue-in-cheek drinking party at a government building to protest open-container laws, others are significantly less so. For example, a common act by some Free Keene activists involves paying money into expired parking meters to help other citizens avoid parking tickets, which has created conflict between the meter pluggers and the parking enforcement officers. The close encounters with the "Robin Hooders" resulted in one PEO resigning his position and a lawsuit filed by the City of Keene citing harassment of their employees. In December 2013, the judge overseeing the case dismissed the city's arguments against the "Robin Hooders" on first amendment grounds, citing the public sidewalks' role as a traditional public forum.

International outreach
Einbeck, in Germany, is a partner city.

Sites of interest
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
 * Dillant–Hopkins Airport

 * Dr. Daniel Adams House
 * Beaver Mills
 * Cheshire County Courthouse
 * Colony House
 * Colony's Block
 * Noah Cooke House
 * Dinsmoor–Hale House
 * Elliot Mansion
 * Faulkner & Colony Woolen Mill
 * Catherine Fiske Seminary For Young Ladies
 * Grace United Methodist Church
 * Sawyer Tavern
 * Stone Arch Bridge
 * United Church of Christ in Keene
 * Wyman Tavern

Notable people

 * Adam "Adeem" Arnone (born 1978), best known for his work in the hip hop group Glue and for winning the Scribble Jam Emcee Battle in 1998 and 2001
 * Edwin Eugene Bagley (1857–1922), composer
 * John Bosa (born 1964), defensive lineman with the Miami Dolphins
 * Kenneth Bressett (born 1928), numismatist and author, longtime editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins (the Red Book)
 * Francis B. Brewer (1820–1892), U.S. congressman from New York
 * Christopher Cantwell (born 1980), white nationalist, federal informant, convicted felon
 * Jimmy Cochran (born 1981), Olympic alpine skier
 * Richard B. Cohen (born 1952), owner of C&S Wholesale Grocers
 * Horatio Colony Jr. (1900–1977), poet, playwright, and businessman
 * Jonathan Daniels (1939–1965), activist murdered during the Civil Rights Movement
 * Clarence DeMar (1888–1958), seven-time Boston Marathon champion
 * John Dickson (1783–1852), U.S. congressman from New York
 * Samuel Dinsmoor (1766–1835), teacher, lawyer, banker; fourteenth Governor of New Hampshire
 * Michael Dubruiel (1958–2009), Catholic author
 * Eva Fabian (born 1993), American-Israeli world champion swimmer
 * Barry Faulkner (1881–1966), muralist
 * Catherine Fiske (1784-1837), founder, Keene Female Seminary
 * Tessa Gobbo (born 1990), two-time world champion rower, Olympic gold medalist in the women's eight
 * Mary Whitwell Hale (1810–1862), founded a school in Keene
 * Salma Hale (1787–1866), U.S. congressman from New Hampshire
 * Samuel W. Hale (1823–1891), member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and the 39th Governor of New Hampshire
 * Ernest Hebert (born 1941), author
 * Don Joyce (1944–2015) musician, member of Negativland
 * A.G. Lafley (born 1947), led consumer goods maker Procter & Gamble (P&G) for two separate stints, from 2000 to 2010 and again from 2013 to 2015
 * Martha Perry Lowe (1829–1902), poet
 * David G. Perkins (born 1957), U.S. Army general
 * Terry Pindell, travel writer
 * Robert Rodat (c. 1960), film and television writer
 * Mary Elizabeth Wilson Sherwood (1826–1903), author, socialite
 * Duncan Watson (born 1963), former child actor
 * Heather Wilson (born 1960), U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, former U.S. congresswoman from New Mexico
 * Isaac Wyman (1724–1792), Revolutionary era soldier, judge

title: Keene, New Hampshire


text:
Worthington, Minnesota

Worthington is a city in and the county seat of Nobles County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,947 at the time of the 2020 census.

The city's site was first settled in the 1870s as Okabena Station on a line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway, later the Chicago and North Western Railway (now part of the Union Pacific Railroad) where steam engines took on water from adjacent Lake Okabena. More people entered, along with one A. P. Miller of Toledo, Ohio, under a firm called the National Colony Organization. Miller named the new city after his wife's maiden name.

History
The first European likely to have visited the Nobles County area of southwestern Minnesota was French explorer Joseph Nicollet. Nicollet mapped the area between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in the 1830s. He called the region "Sisseton Country" in honor of the Sisseton band of Dakota Indians then living there. It was a rolling sea of wide open prairie grass that extended as far as the eye could see. One small lake in Sisseton Country was given the name "Lake Okabena" on Nicollet's map, "Okabena" being a Dakota word meaning "nesting place of the herons".

The town of Worthington was founded by "Yankees" (immigrants from New England and upstate New York who were descended from the English Puritans who settled New England in the 1600s).

In 1871, the St. Paul & Sioux City Railway Company began connecting its two namesake cities with a rail line. The steam engines of that time required a large quantity of water, and water stations were needed every 8 to 12 mi along their routes. One of these stations, at the site of present-day Worthington, was designated "The Okabena Railway Station".

In the same year, Professor Ransom Humiston of Cleveland, Ohio, and Dr. A.P. Miller, editor of the Toledo Blade, organized a company to locate a colony of New England settlers who had already settled in Northern Ohio along the tracks of the Sioux City and St. Paul Railway. These people were "Yankee" settlers whose parents had moved from New England to the region of Northeast Ohio known as the Connecticut Western Reserve. They were primarily members of the Congregational Church, though due to the Second Great Awakening, many of them had converted to Methodism and Presbyterianism, and some had become Baptists before coming to what is now Minnesota. This colony, the National Colony, was to be a village of temperance, a place where evangelical Methodists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Baptists could live free of the temptations of alcohol. A town was plotted, and the name was changed from the Okabena Railway Station to Worthington, Miller's mother-in-law's maiden name.

On April 29, 1872, regular passenger train service to Worthington started, and on that first train were the first of the National Colony settlers. One early arrival described the scene:

We were among the first members of the colony to arrive at the station of an unfinished railroad… There was a good hotel, well and comfortably furnished, one or two stores neatly furnished and already stocked with goods, [and] several other[s] in process of erection… The streets, scarcely to be defined as such, were full of prairie schooners, containing families waiting until masters could suit themselves with "claims," the women pursuing their housewifely avocations meanwhile—some having cooking stoves in their wagons, others using gypsy fires to do their culinary work; all seeming happy and hopeful.

Some settlers from New England were drinking men, most of them Civil War veterans from Massachusetts and Maine, and they came into conflict with the temperance movement. A curious event took place on Worthington's very first Fourth of July celebration. Hearing that there was a keg of beer in the Worthington House Hotel, Humiston entered the hotel, seized the keg, dragged it outside, and destroyed it with an axe. A witness described what happened next:

Upon seeing this, the young men of the town thought it to be rather an imposition, and collected together, procured the services of the band, and under the direction of a military officer marched to the rear of the hotel, and with a wheelbarrow and shovel took the empty keg that had been broken open, and playing the dead march with flag at half staff marched to the flagpole in front of Humiston's office where they dug a grave and gave the empty keg a burial with all the honors attending a soldier's funeral.

''They then, with flag at full mast and with lively air, marched back to the ice house, procured a full keg of beer, returning to the grave, resting the keg thereon. Then a general invitation was given to all who desired to partake, which many did until the keg was emptied... In the evening they reassembled, burning Prof. Humiston in effigy about 10 p.m. Thus ended the glorious Fourth at Worthington, Minn.''

Despite tensions between pro- and anti-temperance factions, the town grew rapidly. By the end of summer in 1872, 85 buildings had been constructed where just one year before there had been only a field of prairie grass.

Settlers poured into the region. At first they came almost exclusively from the six New England states due to issues of overpopulation combined with land shortages. Some had come from Upstate New York and had parents and grandparents who had moved to that region from New England during the early 1800s and late 1700s. Due to the large number of New Englanders and New England transplants from upstate New York, Worthington, like much of Minnesota at the time, was very culturally continuous with early New England culture for much of its early history. It was the age of the Homestead Act, when 160 acre of government land could be claimed for free. All one had to do was live on the land and "improve" it, a vague requirement. In such an atmosphere, settlers without connection to the National Colony also arrived in great number, and few of those were temperance activists. The ensuing winter was severe, and swarms of grasshoppers stripped farmers' fields bare in the summer of 1873. Still, settlers came. 1874 produced a bumper harvest, followed by another grasshopper invasion in 1875. 1876 and 1877 were both good farming years. Grasshoppers returned for the last time in 1879, and a bright future began for southwestern Minnesota. According to the 1880 census, Nobles County had 4,435 residents, 636 of them in Worthington.

In the early 1900s German immigrants began arriving in Worthington in large numbers, not directly from Germany, but mostly from other places in the midwest, especially Ohio, where their communities had already been established.

Unlike in other parts of the country, the Germans did not face xenophobia in Nobles County, but were welcomed by the Yankee population. This led to many writing back to Ohio, which led to chain migration to the region, greatly increasing the German-American population. The "Yankee" population of Americans of English descent did not come into conflict with the German-American community for much of their early history together, but the two communities were divided on the issue of World War I, the Yankee community divided about and the Germans unanimously opposed to American entry into the war. The Yankee community was generally pro-British, but many also did not want the United States to enter the war. The Germans were sympathetic to Germany and did not want the United States to enter into a war against Germany, but the Germans were not anti-British. Before World War I, many German community leaders in Minnesota and Wisconsin spoke openly and enthusiastically about how much better America was than Germany, due primarily (in their eyes) to the presence of English law and the English political culture the Americans had inherited from the colonial era, which they contrasted with the turmoil and oppression in Germany they had so recently fled. Other immigrant groups followed the Germans, including settlers from Ireland, Norway and Sweden.

From 1939 to 1940, Worthington was home to the Worthington Cardinals, a minor league baseball team. Worthington played as a member of the Class D Western League. The Worthington Cardinals were an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

On December 12, 2006, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staged a coordinated predawn raid at the Swift & Company meat packing plant in Worthington and five other Swift plants in western states, interviewing workers and hauling hundreds off in buses.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 8.74 sqmi, of which 7.34 sqmi is land and 1.40 sqmi is water.

Demographics
The U.S. Bureau of Census now classifies Worthington as a micropolitan area, with a population of 20,508. The area has had a relatively high level of immigration, mostly Hispanics, in the early 21st century. Some sources credit this immigration trend for revitalizing the city's economy, which had been constrained by a shrinking population.

2020 census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 12,764 people, 4,458 households, and 2,917 families residing in the city. The population density was 1739.0 PD/sqmi. There were 4,699 housing units at an average density of 640.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 62.2% White, 5.5% African American, 0.7% Native American, 8.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 20.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 35.4% of the population.

There were 4,458 households, of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% 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 3.36.

The median age in the city was 33.5 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 21.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15% 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 11,283 people, 4,311 households, and 2,828 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,578.9 PD/sqmi. There were 4,573 housing units at an average density of 639.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 76.81% White, 1.91% African American, 0.49% Native American, 7.06% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 11.49% from other races, and 2.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.28% of the population.

There were 4,311 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,250, and the median income for a family was $44,643. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $20,880 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,078. About 9.1% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Worthington hosts many annual events: Windsurfing Regatta & Music Festival (June), International Festival (July), King Turkey Day (September), and Holiday Parade (November).

Government
Worthington is in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican Brad Finstad of New Ulm. At the state level, Worthington is in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Bill Weber, and in House District 22B, represented by Republican Rod Hamilton.

Local politics
The mayor of Worthington is Rick Von Holdt. City council members meet in City Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of every month to discuss objectives and goals for the city. The city is divided into two wards, with one at-large council member. The mayor and council members are elected to four-year terms. Current Worthington city council members, in addition to Von Holdt, include:
 * Larry Janssen, 1st Ward
 * Chris Kielblock, 1st Ward
 * Alaina Kolpin, 2nd Ward
 * Amy Ernst, 2nd Ward
 * Chad Cummings, At Large

Education
Worthington is served by Independent School District 518. Worthington's school mascot is the Trojan, and its high school athletic teams play in the Big South Conference. ISD 518 is known regionally for its robust music program offerings, with band, string orchestra, choir, and theater ensembles open to all students. Worthington Senior High School's 'Spirit of Worthington' Trojan Marching Band, with over 160 members, is an ensemble that has performed nationally 5 times. The Trojans' performances included two at the 75th and 78th annual McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago in 2008 and 2011, respectively. In 2019, the Trojans were a featured band at the Chic-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia.
 * High School: Worthington High School Worthington Senior High School
 * Middle School: Worthington Middle School
 * Elementary School: Prairie Elementary School

Worthington's private, parochial schools include:
 * 1) Worthington Christian School, which serves grades K-8.
 * 2) St. Mary's Elementary School, which serves grades K-6.

Worthington's local higher education institution is Minnesota West Community and Technical College. Minnesota West's Worthington campus is a two-year college that offers associate degrees in a wide variety of majors, along with diplomas and certificates in areas from practical nursing to accounting, among others.

Worthington and the surrounding area are served by the Nobles County Library, part of the Plum Creek Library System, which is based in the city.

Transit

 * Prairieland Transit System

Highways

 * I-90.svg Interstate 90
 * US 59.svg U.S. Route 59
 * MN-60.svg Minnesota State Highway 60
 * MN-266.svg Minnesota State Highway 266 (decommissioned - designated as Nobles County Road 25)
 * County 25 (MN).svg Nobles County Road 25
 * County 35 (MN).svg Nobles County Road 35

Media
The Globe serves Worthington, Nobles County, and surrounding areas with a print newspaper, an e-paper and website. It was purchased by the Forum Communications Company in 1995 and publishes a print edition on Wednesdays and an e-edition on Saturdays.

Notable people

 * Dwayne Andreas, CEO of Archer Daniels Midland and political donor, was born in Worthington
 * Wayne R. Bassett Sr., librarian and Minnesota state legislator
 * William Elijah Bloom, Minnesota state legislator
 * Wendell Butcher, football player
 * George Dayton, banker and real estate developer in Worthington before moving to Minneapolis
 * Matt Entenza, former minority leader of Minnesota House of Representatives and 2010 DFL candidate for governor of Minnesota
 * Gordon Forbes, lawyer and Minnesota state legislator
 * Francis G. Judge, electrician, businessman, and Minnesota state legislator
 * Big Tiny Little, pianist and television personality
 * Peter Ludlow, prominent analytic philosopher
 * Stephen Miller, fourth Governor of Minnesota
 * Gordon Moore (judge), Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
 * Lee Nystrom, NFL player, was born in Worthington
 * Tim O'Brien, novelist known for Vietnam War literature
 * John Olson, state senator and Worthington native

Sister city
There is a sister-city relationship between Worthington and Crailsheim, Germany, the first such relationship in history between an American and a German city. The relationship began in 1947, when Martha (Cashel) McCarthy and her parents led a campaign to collect clothing and food for Crailsheim's citizens (who had endured the destruction of 90% of their city ten days prior to the end of World War II).

title: Worthington, Minnesota