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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