County of the Week – Fillmore

Fillmore County, Minnesota

Founded: Fillmore County was established March 5^th, 1853.

History:

Fillmore County was named after President Millard Fillmore who served his presidency from 1850 to 1853.

The county seat is located in Preston, the shire town of Fillmore County.

The city of Chatfield is split between Fillmore and Olmsted County.

This part of the state lies in the driftless area, for it was ice free during the last ice age.

Many farms call Fillmore County home including Good Earth Village and Dream Acres.

At the time of statehood, Fillmore County had the highest population.

Laura and Almanzo Ingalls Wilder attended the Methodist Church in Spring Valley in 1890 and 1891.

Harmony is home to the largest Amish community in Minnesota.

Places to be:

· Each August Dream Acres holds a summer camp for kids.

· Self-guided tours around historic downtown areas.

· The city of Preston hosts the Fillmore County Fair every July.

· Rushford Days in the city of Rushford, July 16^th – 22^nd.

· Stop in Harmony and discover the Niagara Cave, for it was voted one of the top ten caves in the country.

Sites to see:

· Deer Creek Speedway

· Forestville State Park

· Good Earth Village

· Historic Bluff Country

· Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum

· Mystery Cave State Park

· Washburn-Zittleman House Museum

· Root River State Trail

· Niagara Cave

Population: As of the 2000 census, there were 21,122 people calling Fillmore County home.

Cites:

· Canton

· Chatfield

· Fountain

· Harmony

· Lanesboro

· Mabel

· Ostrander

· Peterson

· Preston

· Rushford Village

· Rushford

· Spring Valley*

· Whalan

· Wykoff

* largest city

Area: 865 sq. miles (553,082 acres)

 

Information gathered by Andrew Ferguson

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Cloquet Banner Pictures

Thanks to Jim Weikum for sending pictures from the Banner’s visit to Cloquet.

So you think you’re a Minnesotan? Top 150 things to do, 31-40.

The Holiday season will soon be upon us, and the list of things to do just keeps getting bigger! Thanksgiving is only about a month away. enjoy your last month before time slips away!

40. Rake a pile of leaves and spend hours jumping in them
39. Carve a jack-o-lantern with your children, and make sure to set it out on Halloween!
38. Take the family to a local haunted trail, house or hayride
37. Visit the IMAX theatre at the Minnesota Zoo on a rainy day
36. Check out the Richard G. Hardy Performing Arts Center where exciting entertainment is always happening
35. Participate in the Afton State Park Folkswalk in Hastings on October 27
34. Turkey season opened on October 17th, if you’re a hunter be sure to participate
33. Deer Opener begins November 3
32. Participate in trick-or-treating with your children
31. Take all the leftover apples from the apple orchard and bake an apple pie

Sesqui Banner in Cloquet

Thanks to Jim Weikum for sending us an update on the Sesquicentennial Banner. The Banner is currently residing Cloquet Public Library. The Pine Journal recently ran a nice article describing the banner and its visit.

County of the Week – Faribault County

Faribault County, Minnesota

Founded: Faribault County was established on February 20^th, 1855

History:

· Named for Jean Baptiste Faribault, who was a trader with the Dakota.

· Faribault moved to Minnesota in 1803 and was the first white settler to practice agriculture in the state.

· In the fall of 1856 all 82 residents of the county voted to leave the county seat in Blue Earth.

· County Commissioners began to advertise bids for a new courthouse in 1890.

· December 1891, construction of the Faribault County Courthouse was complete with a price tag of over $70,000.

· Faribault was the first in Minnesota to be named a Star County.

· Some of America’s richest farmland can be found in this county.

Events/Festivals/Celebrations:

· Easton holds their Friendship Days Celebration on the last weekend in June.

· Festag, which is German for festival, takes place in Minnesota Lake in July.

· Check out Wells Kernel Days during the third weekend in August for you can experience the celebration of the city of Wells and their strong agricultural base.

Places to Visit:

· The world’s tallest Jolly Green Giant statue stands 55 ½ feet tall in Green Giant Park. (Blue Earth)

· Venture in to the Historic Good Sheppard Episcopal Church and view Minnesota’s first stained glass window. (Blue Earth)

· Catch a showing at Kiester’s historic Kee Theater.

· Spend a day at beautiful Old Mill Park in Minnesota Lake.

Population: As of the 2000 census, 16,181 people reside in Faribault County.

Cities:

· Blue Earth *

· Bricelyn

· Delavan

· Easton

· Elmore

· Frost

· Kiester

· Minnesota Lake

· Walters

· Wells

· Winnebago

* Largest city

 

Area: 722 sq. miles

For more information:

· http://www.co.faribault.mn.us/index.cfm

· http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No32.htm

 

Information compiled by Andrew Ferguson

So you think you’re a Minnesotan? 150 things to do in Minnesota, 41-50

Wow! What a change in weather, just last week it was warm and sunny, and now I’m pulling out all of my jackets! Since it is cold out most of the time in Minnesota, there are an abundance of activities to partake in. Be sure not to miss out on the fun! If you have any ideas, send them our way, we’d love to hear from you!

 

50. See Jay Ungar and Molly Mason in Cambridge, MN…American acoustic music is always enjoyable!

49. Attend Oktoberfest in New Ulm, MN (10/12-10/13)

48. Now that the leaves are changing colors, take advantage of the scenery by capturing Kodak moments in the crisp outdoors

47. Enjoy a local soccer game; be sure to bring hot chocolate to stay warm

46. Bundle up and go for a jog around your neighborhood, the cold weather often makes it easier to run!

45. Attend Leaf spectacular in Taylors Falls; be sure to bring your camera

44. Build a scarecrow, Halloween is just weeks away

43. Attempt to go camping one last weekend, don’t forget the firewood

42. Take a road trip up north and spend a weekend at one of the many resorts in MN

41. Attend a Homecoming football game and pep fest!

The Minnesota Statehood Stamp

The secret is finally out!
Last Saturday, October 6th, the curtain was pulled and the design for the Minnesota Statehood Stamp was reveled. The Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission, along with the United States Post Office, traveled down to Winona State University for a celebration in honor of the Statehood Stamp. The new Science Laboratory Atrium at the university was filled with Minnesota stamp collectors, Winona schoolchildren, city officials and fellow Minnesotans – all waiting to see what fifty years in the making had produced.

October 6th was only an unveiling of the stamp design. The actual issuance, when the stamp will be available for purchase, is still yet to be determined. With a stamp as beautiful and striking as the Minnesota Statehood Stamp we can be sure Minnesota will make a bold impression for the Sesquicentennial year!

Anthony C. Williams – Northland District Manager for US Post OfficeThe curtain comes off! Executive Director Jane Leonard The MN Sesquicentennial Commission shows off new Sesquicentennial Medallions now for sale. Sesquicentennial Office Staff with Senator David Senjem Minnesota Statehood Stamp unveiling at Winona State University