Little Falls, Minnesota
Little Falls, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
City | |
 | |
| Nickname(s): "LF" | |
| Motto(s): "A Place to Call Home" | |
 Location of Little Falls within Morrison County and state of Minnesota | |
| Coordinates: 45°58′39″N 94°21′51″W / 45.97750°N 94.36417°W / 45.97750; -94.36417 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Morrison |
| Area [1] | |
| • Total | 7.89 sq mi (20.44 km2) |
| • Land | 7.46 sq mi (19.31 km2) |
| • Water | 0.43 sq mi (1.13 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,112 ft (339 m) |
| Population (2010)[2] | |
| • Total | 8,343 |
| • Estimate (2017)[3] | 8,701 |
| • Density | 1,167.14/sq mi (450.62/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 56345 |
| Area code(s) | 320 Exchanges: 616,632 |
| FIPS code | 27-37556 |
GNIS feature ID | 0646801[4] |
| Website | City of Little Falls |
Little Falls is a city in Morrison County, Minnesota, United States, near the geographic center of the state. Established in 1848, Little Falls is one of the oldest European-American cities in Minnesota. It is the county seat of Morrison County.[5] The population was 8,343 at the 2010 census.[6] Little Falls was the boyhood home of noted aviator Charles Lindbergh. Just across from his former home is Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, named after Lindbergh's father, prominent Minnesota lawyer and U.S. Congressman Charles August Lindbergh.
The town developed at falls located on the Mississippi River, and was named after this site. Several different dams have been built over the falls throughout the town's history, some of which powered saw mills in the nineteenth century.[7] Today, the Little Falls Dam serves as a hydroelectric station that generates power for the surrounding area.
Contents
1 Geography
2 Demographics
2.1 2010 census
2.2 2000 census
3 Education
4 Attractions
5 Events
5.1 Little Falls Dam Festival
5.2 Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair
5.3 Rock the Park
5.4 Little Falls Antiques and Collectibles Fair
5.5 Lone Eagle Auto Club Car Show
5.6 Morrison County Fair
5.7 Greater Minnesota Two-Cylinder Club Annual Field Days
6 Media
7 Notable people
8 Sister cities
9 References
10 External links
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.78 square miles (20.15 km2), of which 7.24 square miles (18.75 km2) is land and 0.54 square miles (1.40 km2) is water.[8]
U.S. Highway 10 and Minnesota State Highways 27 and 371 are three of the main routes in the city.
Little Falls is also the eastern terminus of Minnesota Highway 28, which heads to Browns Valley at its western terminus at the Minnesota–South Dakota border. Highway 28 is co-signed with Highway 27, 12 miles west of town, until it turns towards Swanville. Highway 28 is unsigned until outside the city limits.
Minnesota Highway 238 is also nearby, linking Minnesota Highway 27 at Little Falls to Interstate 94 (I-94) in Albany, Minnesota, 35 miles south of Little Falls.
Coordinates: 45°58′35″N 94°21′45″W / 45.97639°N 94.36250°W / 45.97639; -94.36250
A large ravine used to run through the east side business district, past the Morrison County Courthouse and the original Little Falls City Hall. The ravine served as an outflow for excess water from Fletcher Creek, which flows into the Mississippi River about 6 miles north of the city. Filling of the ravine began in the 1880s, to allow city development, and continued until the 1950s. It was directly filled with dirt in some locations, while in other places, buildings were built over the ravine.[9]
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 508 | — | |
| 1890 | 2,354 | 363.4% | |
| 1900 | 5,774 | 145.3% | |
| 1910 | 6,078 | 5.3% | |
| 1920 | 5,500 | −9.5% | |
| 1930 | 5,014 | −8.8% | |
| 1940 | 6,047 | 20.6% | |
| 1950 | 6,717 | 11.1% | |
| 1960 | 7,551 | 12.4% | |
| 1970 | 7,467 | −1.1% | |
| 1980 | 7,250 | −2.9% | |
| 1990 | 7,232 | −0.2% | |
| 2000 | 7,719 | 6.7% | |
| 2010 | 8,343 | 8.1% | |
| Est. 2017 | 8,701 | [3] | 4.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] 2013 Estimate[11] | |||
Downtown Little Falls
2010 census
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 8,343 people, 3,608 households, and 2,055 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,152.3 inhabitants per square mile (444.9/km2). There were 3,867 housing units at an average density of 534.1 per square mile (206.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.1% White, 0.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.
There were 3,608 households of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.0% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.85.
The median age in the city was 40.9 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 20.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 7,719 people (2008: 8,121 population), 3,197 households, and 1,899 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,232.5 people per square mile (476.1/km²). There were 3,358 housing units at an average density of 536.2 per square mile (207.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.21% White, 0.49% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population. 38.2% were of German, 16.5% Polish, 8.4% Norwegian and 7.8% Swedish ancestry.
There were 3,197 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city, the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,547, and the median income for a family was $40,298. Males had a median income of $30,925 versus $22,922 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,924. About 9.2% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 23.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Lindbergh Elementary
Little Falls has several schools which include:
- Lindbergh Elementary
- Lincoln Elementary
- Mary of Lourdes Elementary
- Dr. S. G. Knight Elementary, a satellite school for the Little Falls district
- Little Falls Community Middle School
- Mary of Lourdes Middle School
- Little Falls Community High School [12]
- Little Falls Continuing Education School
- Morrison County Learning Center School[13]
Attractions
Charles A. Lindbergh State Park and Historical Site are located on the Mississippi River. This 436 acres (1.76 km2) park was established in 1931 in memory of United States Congressman and respected Minnesota lawyer Charles A. Lindbergh, Sr., also known as the father of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh.[14] The historical site includes the home where the world-famous aviator spent summers next to the Mississippi River and also a visitor's center that tells the Lindbergh family story and displays a full size replica of The Spirit of St. Louis cockpit.[15] The home, with its original family furnishings and possessions, is open for informational tours.[16]
Our Lady of Lourdes
Created by artist Frank Gosiak, two large colored murals, depicting the logging era and Main Street of Little Falls in the early 1900s, were painted on the façade of the Hennepin Paper Co. warehouse on Broadway Avenue West across from Cass Gilbert Depot. A third Gosiak mural, Door Into the Past, depicts historic Little Falls and its development to the present day. The mural is located on a building at the intersection of Broadway Avenue East and Second Street.[17]
Two public frescoes were created at Lindbergh Elementary School. Both were created by local artist Charles Kapsner. The first, The Stewardship, was completed in 1994 and portrays the values of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. This fresco may be seen at all times of the day from 9th Street SE, as it is placed in a hall with glass to the exterior. The other fresco, Beginnings, is located on an interior wall. It depicts the origins of Central Minnesota life and history.[17]
The mansions of Charles A. Weyerhaeuser and Richard "Drew" Musser stand on 1st St SE alongside the Mississippi River and adjacent to Maple Island Park. These houses are furnished with antiques and original belongings of the entrepreneurial families who once occupied them. Today the estates are collectively referred to as the Linden Hill Historical Event Center. They are used for education, tours, overnight stays, conferences/retreats, weddings, family reunions and assorted special events.[18]
Pine Grove Primeval Park and Zoo is located on the west side of town, located among pines in a 70-acre (280,000 m2) park. It features a zoo, walking trails, picnic and playground area, a granite "council circle", and a rustic log shelter.[19] The zoo is home to a variety of exotic, native and domestic animals which include: cougars, bobcats, tigers, timber wolves, bears, pronghorn, bison, elk, white tail deer, prairie dogs, yaks and a petting stable.[20]
On the southeast side of town is St. Francis Convent and Campus. It was founded in 1891 by the Roman Catholic order of Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Little Falls, Minnesota.[21]
The Morrison County Historical Society owns and operates The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum, which is located on the west side of the Mississippi River above the confluence of Pike Creek. The museum was named for Charles A. Weyerhaeuser, a prominent lumberman who managed the Pine Tree Lumber Company.[22] The Weyerhaeuser Museum property adjoins the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site and Lindbergh State Park. The museum was built as the new home of the Morrison County Historical Society between 1974 and 1975, with the official dedication on August 24, 1975.[23] Prior to this, the Morrison County Historical Society, which was founded in 1936, made its home in the basement of the Historic Morrison County Courthouse. The Weyerhaeuser Museum contains exhibits of three-dimensional artifacts and a full archive of documents, newspapers and photos related to county history. Museum grounds are home to natural prairie gardens, a Victorian-style fountain, and a gazebo overlooking the river. The Weyerhaeuser Museum is open year-round to visitors and researchers.[24]
The Minnesota Fishing Museum (MFM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the heritage and history of freshwater fishing in Minnesota. The MFM features over 8,000 artifacts in two large display rooms, the O'FISH-L Gift Shop plus tourism and DNR information. The MFM and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) partner in the MinnAqua education programs. The MFM is also host of the Let's Go Fishing Minnesota, Little Falls Chapter.[25]
The Paul Larson Memorial Museum, owned by John Monahan, is a collection of boats, motors and trailers. The museum is a tribute to Paul Larson, founder of the Little Falls-based Larson Boats, as well as the Fred Larson Wildlife Animal Collection.
The Burton-Rosenmeier House was built in 1903 for Barney Burton. Barney Burton, born to Isaac and Sarah Burton, was the seventh of eight children. At the age of 18, he moved from Wisconsin to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he engaged in the clothing and men's furnishing business with his brother, Jacob, as a partner. In 1886, they moved their business to Little Falls, but in 1891, the brothers dissolved their partnership. Nevertheless, the business kept growing and the Barney Burton Clothing Store became the largest mercantile business in Morrison County. Barney Burton married Sarah Deautsch, of Minneapolis, in 1894. Sarah died after the birth of their daughter. In 1898, Barney married Josephine, a sister of Sarah, and had three children. At the turn of the century, they were becoming increasingly prosperous in the Little Falls community and began their process of planning and building a home. In 1903, they started to build their house in the Classical Revival Style. Barney died of a heart attack in 1942 and Josephine died in 1953.
Christian and Linda Rosenmeier moved to Little Falls in 1914 and resided in a flat over the Barney Burton Clothing Store. In 1921, they purchased the home with their three children, Gordon, Margaret and Donald from the Burton family. Christian had a long career as an attorney, a president of the American National Bank and American Savings and Trust Company, and as a Minnesota state senator from 1922 to 1932. As a state senator, he was the author of the legislation, and helped in establishing Camp Ripley and Lindbergh State Park.
Gordon Rosenmeier, the oldest son of Christian, followed in his father's footsteps. In 1940, he was elected to the unexpired term of the late senator Fred Miller of Little Falls, and he served in the Minnesota State Senate under eight successive governors. During his three decades of service, he authored a succession of major bills that left a lasting impression on the affairs of all Minnesotans. On a wider scale, these men were respected "movers" and "shakers in the development of policies and laws that made the state of Minnesota a better place to live. Gordon was also a corporate attorney for the local lumber barons, R.D. Musser and C.A. Weyerheauser, whose mansions are on the adjacent property to the Rosenmeier estate. The story of Gordon would not be complete without mentioning his dearest friend and companion, Margaret Hastings. After her divorce, she resettled in Brainerd where she had accepted a teaching position. Gordon provided advice and counsel in her relocation process. Margaret served as a sounding board for Gordon's pursuit of better government. She became an active participant in documenting Gordon's political life through a series of scrapbooks she had kept, which provided an orderly collection of media commentary. The Burton-Rosenmeier House serves as the Little Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Events
Little Falls Dam Festival
Beginning in 2005, the Dam Festival is an annual event that takes place in Maple Island Park, Founded by Richard John Lano of Crawfordsville Indiana. Family from Little Falls and Long Prairie Minnesota. LeBourget Park and surrounding areas near the town's dam in late June. Activities include street dances, simple games, face painting, food, a petting zoo, pony rides, bingo, karaoke, a parade, and specialty shows. The event usually culminates with a fireworks show over the Mississippi River.[26]
In June 2013, The Voice USA season 3 contestant Nicholas David performed a concert at the festival.
Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair
The Arts and Craft Fair is an annual fair held the weekend after Labor Day. It is sponsored by the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce since 1972. This attracts numerous visitors and the town is bustling.
Rock the Park
Held every Summer during the month of June; typically towards the end of the month. Rock the Park is a unique concert experience because of its representation of local talent, most of the members in Brothers Tone and The Big Groove are from the Little Falls area. This free outdoor concert on the banks of the Mississippi is a perfect way to kick off the summer & give back to the community! The event is completely funded by almost 30 local business sponsors, including our 2016 Primary Business Sponsor The Rustic Saloon. Executive Director Jill Moore comments, "it's an outdoor music event that is unparalleled in our region."[27]
Little Falls Antiques and Collectibles Fair
This event held the weekend after Labor Day as well. It is held at Le Bourget Park on the West Side of town. Sponsored by the West Side Improvement Association.
Lone Eagle Auto Club Car Show
Held the Sunday after Labor Day at the Morrison County Fairgrounds. Antique Car Show and swap meet.
Morrison County Fair
An annual fair held at the Morrison County Fairgrounds northeast of town.
Greater Minnesota Two-Cylinder Club Annual Field Days
The club hosts this show the First Weekend in May Annually out at the Morrison County Fairgrounds. It features plowing, a swap meet, consignment auction, flea market, antique tractor pull, and more!
Media
The Morrison County Record is a weekly newspaper published in Little Falls.[28]
Little Falls Radio Corporation has three stations:[29]
KLTF AM 960
WYRQ FM 92.1
KFML FM 94.1
Central Minnesota Access Television[30] operates two Public-access television cable TV channels, (Channel 6 and Channel 12), that serve as a medium for community updates, as well as events like school sports, concerts, and fitness programs. The channels were originally broadcast out of Little Falls Community High School, but were moved to the Great River Arts Center in downtown Little Falls.[31]
Notable people
Duane Bobick, world champion amateur heavyweight boxer
Joe Brinkman, American League baseball umpire
Louise Erdrich, National Book Award novelist
Gale Gillingham, five-time NFL All Pro Guard, two-time Super Bowl Champion, Green Bay Packers
Ben Hanowski, member of the 2013 Calgary Flames
Brian Kobilka, Nobel Prize-winning professor of chemistry
Jim Langer, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Charles A. Lindbergh, First person to fly across the Atlantic Ocean in a solo, non-stop flight (1927)
John E. Simonett, lawyer & Minnesota Supreme Court Justice
William Stobb, poet
George P. Wetzel, Sr., Minnesota State Representative and jurist
Fred Zollner, founder of Fort Wayne Pistons (now Detroit)
Sister cities
Le Bourget, France
Le Bourget, France
References
^ "2017 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jan 3, 2019..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ ab "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
^ ab "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 24, 2018.
^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
^ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
^
Warner, Jan. "Morrison County Historical Society - Community Building". Retrieved 2009-07-23.
^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-24. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
^ Warner, Mary. "The Little Falls Ravine". Morrison County Historical Society.
^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 14, 2014.
^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
^ Little Falls Community Schools
^ Little Falls Schools | MN - Ratings and Map of Public and Private Schools
^ Charles A. Lindbergh State Park
^ Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site
^ Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site : Minnesota Historic Sites
^ ab Lodging
^ Linden Hill Historical Event Center - Little Falls, Minnesota's Top Tour, Wedding & Retreat Destination!
^ Pine Grove Zoo
^ Pine Grove Zoo (320) 616-5595 Little Falls, Minnesota
^ St. Francis
^ "Charles A. Weyerhaeuser". http://morrisoncountyhistory.org/. Morrison County Historical Society. Retrieved 2015-01-06. External link in|website=(help)
^ Warner, Mary. "The Gift of a Museum". http://morrisoncountyhistory.org/. Morrison County Historical Society. Retrieved 2015-01-06. External link in|website=(help)
^ "Morrison County Historical Society". http://morrisoncountyhistory.org/. External link in|website=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help)
^ Minnesota Fishing Museum | Fishing Artifacts, Minnesota Freshwater Fishing, Little Falls MN
^ Little Falls Dam Festival Archived 2007-06-26 at the Wayback Machine
^ http://greatart.org/rock-the-park/
^ The Morrison County Record
^ Little Falls Radio
^ City of Little Falls :: Cable Access TV Archived 2011-10-08 at the Wayback Machine
^ Public access TV takes investment of time, money « Locally Grown Northfield
External links
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Little Falls, Minnesota. |
- City Website
. Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.
- Little Falls, Minnesota Police Department
Municipalities and communities of Morrison County, Minnesota, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
County seat: Little Falls | ||
| Cities |
|  |
| Townships |
| |
| Unincorporated communities |
| |
| Indian reservation |
| |
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
