Ellsworth, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
Ellsworth is a city in Nobles County
, Minnesota
, United States
. The population was 463 at the 2010 census. The local school district is the Ellsworth Public School.
, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all of it land. It is located in Grand Prairie Township in the far southwestern corner of Nobles County
.
Main highways include:
. The township was organized in 1873, though settlers had taken up residence in the township as early as 1871. One of these early settlers is known in history only as "Uncle" Stillwell. Mr Stillwell made a claim to the land where Ellsworth now stands, and he established a small store on his farmstead, supplying the needs of local farmers. He also operated a peddler's wagon in the vicinity. Mr. Stillwell had great confidence in the future of the region, and often remarked that a town would one day be located on his property, or very near to it. However, Stillwell packed up and left the area two years before the town of Ellsworth was eventually established in 1884. Ellsworth sits on Stillwell's former claim, and the business district of the town is located less than 1/2 mile west of Stillwell's cabin.
A New Railroad Town: The town of Ellsworth was named in honor of Eugene Ellsworth of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and came into existence as a result of construction of the Burlington Railroad in the summer of 1884. The site was selected by agents of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa & Northwestern Land & Town Lot Company. The site was surveyed by F. D. Randall, and dedication of the plat was made on September 29, 1884, by S. L. Dows and James B. Close, president and secretary, respectively, of the town lot company. When the rail line was completed, a box car was set off to the side, and this served as a depot until a more substantial structure could be built. The first structure in town was a saloon completed by Sam Stevens and Phil Lattenberger on September 1884. Construction of a dozen or more buildings were started at this same time, and before the close of the year, the booming town had about 150 inhabitants. During the winter of 1884-85, the Ellsworth postoffice was established with B. F. Garmer as postmaster. In July 1885, the Lyon County Reporter reported on progress in Ellsworth:
There are now four generals stores, four saloons, two hotels, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, three grain warehouses, livery stable, three farm implement establishments, harness shop, drug store, furniture store, lumber and coal yard, [and] newspaper. They have now raised $5,000 for the erection of a Catholic Church.
In the early fall of 1886, the town was selected as a division point of the Burlington railroad. The company built a five-stall roundhouse, put in a turntable, erected a substantial depot, and built a branch line from Ellsworth to Rock Rapids, Iowa
.
Incorporation: The necessary steps were taken to bring about incorporation at a county board meeting held in Worthington on December 10, 1886. An election was held on January 13, 1887, and municipal government began in February. The census of 1890 gave Ellsworth a population of 258. The population in 2000 was 540.
of 2000, there were 540 people, 227 households, and 138 families residing in the city. The population density
was 842.8 people per square mile (325.8/km²). There were 246 housing units at an average density of 383.9 per square mile (148.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.89% White, 0.19% African American, and 0.93% from two or more races.
There were 227 households out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples
living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 30.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,417, and the median income for a family was $33,438. Males had a median income of $23,875 versus $18,625 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,098. About 4.5% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
, represented by Mankato
educator Tim Walz
, a Democrat
. At the state level, Ellsworth is located in Senate
District 22, represented by Republican
Doug Magnus
, and in House
District 22A, represented by Republican Joe Schomacker
.
Nobles County, Minnesota
Nobles County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 21,378. Its county seat is Worthington.-Geography:...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 463 at the 2010 census. The local school district is the Ellsworth Public School.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²), all of it land. It is located in Grand Prairie Township in the far southwestern corner of Nobles County
Nobles County, Minnesota
Nobles County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 21,378. Its county seat is Worthington.-Geography:...
.
Main highways include:
Minnesota State Highway 91Minnesota State Highway 91Minnesota State Highway 91 is a highway in southwest Minnesota, which runs from Lyon County Road L14 at the Iowa state line near Ellsworth, and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 23 at Russell, near the city of Marshall.Highway 91 is in length.-Route...- Nobles County Road 6
History
Early History: Ellsworth is located in Grand Prairie Township in the extreme southwestern corner of Nobles CountyNobles County, Minnesota
Nobles County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 21,378. Its county seat is Worthington.-Geography:...
. The township was organized in 1873, though settlers had taken up residence in the township as early as 1871. One of these early settlers is known in history only as "Uncle" Stillwell. Mr Stillwell made a claim to the land where Ellsworth now stands, and he established a small store on his farmstead, supplying the needs of local farmers. He also operated a peddler's wagon in the vicinity. Mr. Stillwell had great confidence in the future of the region, and often remarked that a town would one day be located on his property, or very near to it. However, Stillwell packed up and left the area two years before the town of Ellsworth was eventually established in 1884. Ellsworth sits on Stillwell's former claim, and the business district of the town is located less than 1/2 mile west of Stillwell's cabin.
A New Railroad Town: The town of Ellsworth was named in honor of Eugene Ellsworth of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and came into existence as a result of construction of the Burlington Railroad in the summer of 1884. The site was selected by agents of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa & Northwestern Land & Town Lot Company. The site was surveyed by F. D. Randall, and dedication of the plat was made on September 29, 1884, by S. L. Dows and James B. Close, president and secretary, respectively, of the town lot company. When the rail line was completed, a box car was set off to the side, and this served as a depot until a more substantial structure could be built. The first structure in town was a saloon completed by Sam Stevens and Phil Lattenberger on September 1884. Construction of a dozen or more buildings were started at this same time, and before the close of the year, the booming town had about 150 inhabitants. During the winter of 1884-85, the Ellsworth postoffice was established with B. F. Garmer as postmaster. In July 1885, the Lyon County Reporter reported on progress in Ellsworth:
There are now four generals stores, four saloons, two hotels, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, three grain warehouses, livery stable, three farm implement establishments, harness shop, drug store, furniture store, lumber and coal yard, [and] newspaper. They have now raised $5,000 for the erection of a Catholic Church.
In the early fall of 1886, the town was selected as a division point of the Burlington railroad. The company built a five-stall roundhouse, put in a turntable, erected a substantial depot, and built a branch line from Ellsworth to Rock Rapids, Iowa
Rock Rapids, Iowa
Rock Rapids is a city in Lyon County in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Iowa, an area known for its strong Dutch heritage and conservative politics. It is the county seat of Lyon County and home to Central Lyon Schools. The population was 2,549 in the 2010 census, a decline from 2,573...
.
Incorporation: The necessary steps were taken to bring about incorporation at a county board meeting held in Worthington on December 10, 1886. An election was held on January 13, 1887, and municipal government began in February. The census of 1890 gave Ellsworth a population of 258. The population in 2000 was 540.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 540 people, 227 households, and 138 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 842.8 people per square mile (325.8/km²). There were 246 housing units at an average density of 383.9 per square mile (148.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.89% White, 0.19% African American, and 0.93% from two or more races.
There were 227 households out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 30.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,417, and the median income for a family was $33,438. Males had a median income of $23,875 versus $18,625 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,098. About 4.5% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Ellsworth is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional districtMinnesota's 1st congressional district
Minnesota's 1st congressional district extends across southern Minnesota from the border with South Dakota to the border with Wisconsin. The First District is primarily a rural district built on a strong history of agriculture, although this is changing rapidly due to strong population growth in...
, represented by Mankato
Mankato, Minnesota
Mankato is a city in Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 39,309 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest city in Minnesota outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The county seat of Blue Earth County, it is located...
educator Tim Walz
Tim Walz
Timothy James Walz is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party .The district comprises the state's southern end, running along the entire border with Iowa...
, a Democrat
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is a major political party in the state of Minnesota and the state affiliate of the Democratic Party. It was created on April 15, 1944, with the merger of the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer–Labor Party...
. At the state level, Ellsworth is located in Senate
Minnesota Senate
The Minnesota Senate is the upper house in the Minnesota Legislature. There are 67 members, half as many as are in the Minnesota House of Representatives. In terms of membership, it is the largest upper house of any state legislature. Each Senate district in the state includes an A and B House...
District 22, represented by Republican
Republican Party of Minnesota
The Republican Party of Minnesota is the Minnesota branch of the United States Republican Party. Elected by the party’s state central committee in June 2009, its chairman is Tony Sutton, and its deputy-chairman is Michael Brodkorb.-Early history:...
Doug Magnus
Doug Magnus
Douglas Rudy "Doug" Magnus is a Minnesota politician and a member of the Minnesota Senate, representing District 22, which includes all of Cottonwood, Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock counties in the southwestern part of the state...
, and in House
Minnesota House of Representatives
The Minnesota House of Representatives is the lower house in the Minnesota State Legislature. There are 134 members elected to two-year terms, twice the number of members in the Minnesota Senate. Each senate district is divided in half and given the suffix A or B...
District 22A, represented by Republican Joe Schomacker
Joe Schomacker
Joseph "Joe" Roy Schomacker is a Minnesota politician and a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives who represents District 22A, which includes all or portions of Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock counties in the southwestern part of the state...
.