Little Falls, Minnesota

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Little Falls is a city in Morrison County, Minnesota, was established in 1848 and is one of the oldest cities in the state of Minnesota. Little Falls is close to the geographic center of Minnesota. The population was 7,719 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morrison County ⁶. Little Falls is the location of the boyhood home of Charles Lindbergh. The home now serves as a museum. Just across from the home is Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, named after Lindbergh's father, prominent Minnesota lawyer and U.S. Congressman Charles August Lindbergh. Little Falls is also home to Pine Grove Park, which contains a zoo on the west side of town.

The town was named after falls that were located on the Mississippi River, which travels through the town. Several attempts to build dams over the falls took place throughout the town's history, some of which powered saw mills in the nineteenth century. [1] Today, the dam serves as a hydroelectric station that generates power for the surrounding area.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Schools
4 Local Churches
5 Attractions
6 Local Food
7 Media
8 Famous inhabitants

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.5 km² (6.8 mi²). 16.2 km² (6.3 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (7.40%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 7,719 people, 3,197 households, and 1,899 families residing in the city. The population density was 476.1/km² (1,232.5/mi²). There were 3,358 housing units at an average density of 207.1/km² (536.2/mi²). 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.

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.

[edit] Schools

Little Falls has several schools which include:

Lindbergh Elementary
Lincoln Elementary
Mary of Lourdes Elementary (MOLES)
Dr. S. G. Knight Elementary (a satelite school for the Little Falls district)

Little Falls Community Middle School
Mary of Lourdes Middle School (MOLMS)

Little Falls Community High School

The high school is the largest between 800 and 1,000 students. [2]

[edit] Local Churches

Assembly of God
Bethel Lutheran (ELCA)
Calvary Apostolic Church
Christian and Missionary Alliance Church
Christian Life Church of God
Church of the Nazarene
Episcopal Church of Our Savior
Faith, Hope & Love Fellowship
First Baptist
First Lutheran (ELCA)
First United
Grace Covenant
Holy Family
Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall
Our Lady of Lourdes
Peace Lutheran
Sacred Heart Chapel (Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls)
St. Mary’s Church
Zion Lutheran (LC-MS)

[3]

[edit] Attractions

Charles A. Lindbergh State Park and Historical Site are located on the Mississippi River. This 436-acre park was established in 1931 in memory of Charles A. Lindbergh, Sr. Fish or canoe the waters of the Mississippi River, walk or ski the trails amid grand pines and spacious prairies. You might even catch a glimpse of the local wildlife while you're there.[4] The historical site includes the home where the 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. [5] The home with its original family furnishings and possessions — where Lindbergh dreamed of adventures to come is available for an informational tour. [6]

The weekend after Labor Day, the annual Little Falls Arts and Craft Fair invades the city with over 800 vendors of a variety of different products, all of which have to be handcrafted, from jewelry, clothing, decor, and food. Local clubs use this fair as an opportunity to raise money for several different causes. [7]

Created by artist Frank Gosiak, two large colored murals, depicting the logging era and main street Little Falls in the early 1900's, grace 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 the history of Little Falls evolving into present day Little Falls. The mural is located at the intersection of Broadway Avenue East and Second Street. [8] Also there are two public frescoes that make their home in Lindberg 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 glass hall. The other fresco, "Beginnings", is housed in the interior of the school. It depicts the origins of Central Minnesota life and history. It may be seen by appointment. [9]

To remind us of Little Falls' logging history, the homes of Charles A. Weyerhaeuser and Richard "Drew" Musser stand on 1st St SE along side the Mississippi River and adjacent to Maple Island Park. These houses are furnished with antiques and original belongings of the families who once occupied them. Today the estates are collectively referred to as "Linden Hill" and are used for for overnight stays, conferences/retreats, family reunions, special events and tours. [10] A public tour is offered in December around Christmas time and the houses are lively with true Christmas splendor.

As mentioned above, Maple Island Park is a beautiful park along side the Mississippi River. It is beautifully landscaped with several varieties of plant life. The picturesque park is host to a variety of local events such as summer concerts, art in the park, and local weddings. [11]

The Minnesota Military Museum located seven miles north of Little Falls in the Camp Ripley Military Reservation at Highway 371. Indoor and outdoor exhibits provide refection upon Minnesotans who served in all branches of the military in times of both peace and war. Admission is free. [12] Also the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery is located at Camp Ripley. The cemetery was opened in June of 1994 and is now the final resting place for over 1500 veterans and their eligible family members. [13]

Camp Ripley also serves as a wild life refuge. The 53,000 acres that make up the camp are used to showcase the local plant and animal life. An environmental classroom and museum was established for the benefit of educating soldiers, local schools and the general public. This museum is comprised of about 130 bird, 55 mammal, 8 fish and 4 reptile and amphibian mounts. Along with the mounts are exhibits of Camp Ripley’s training, environmental research and environmental programs. An environmental presentation can also be arranged. Field activities such as planting trees, trail development, earth day clean up projects, and involvement with research projects are some other activities that the environmental office offers. [14]

Pine Grove Primeval Park and Zoo is a fantastic attraction for all ages. Located on the west side of town and nestled amongst the towering pines of a seventy-acre park features a the zoo, walking trails, large picnic and playground area, a granite "council circle", and a rustic log shelter. [15] The zoo is home to a variety of exotic, native and domestic animals which include: cougars, tiger, timberwolves, bear, pronghorn, bison, elk, white tail deer, prairie dogs, a petting stable and much more! [16]

On the southeast side of town there is the St. Francis Convent and Campus. St. Francis Covent was founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, in 1891. Visitors are welcome to tour St. Francis Campus and to join the Franciscan Sisters for Mass and prayer in Sacred Heart Chapel. One of the busiest places on campus is St. Francis Center. It is open to the public and offers a simple nurturing environment for spiritual and holistic retreats, workshops and meetings. The center provides community enrichment through the offering of piano, dance, and music lessons as well as offering a wide range of physical activity at the St. Francis Health and Recreation Center, a nonprofit fitness center. [17]

[edit] Local Food

Black and White Hamburger Shop
Cabin Fever
Charlie's Pizza
Big John's Drive Inn
Pete and Joy's Bakery
Red Bull Bar

[[18]]

[edit] Media

The Morrison County Record is a weekly newspaper published in Little Falls. [19]

Little Falls Radio Corporation has three stations.

AM960 KLTF
WYRQ 92.1FM
KFML 94.1FM

[20]

Central Minnesota Access Television opperates two channels (Channel 6 and Channel 12) that serve as a medium for community updates as well as events like school sports, concerts, fitness programs, ect. The channels are oppertated out of Little Falls Commmunity High School and some of the updates are occasionally done by students.