| Little Falls, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Nickname(s): "LF, Small Falls" | |
| Motto: "A Place to Call Home" | |
| Location of Little Falls, Minnesota | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Morrison |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.8 sq mi (17.5 km2) |
| • Land | 6.3 sq mi (16.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,112 ft (339 m) |
| Population (2010)[1] | |
| • Total | 8,343 |
| • Density | 1,232.5/sq mi (475.9/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 56345 |
| Area code(s) | 320 |
| FIPS code | 27-37556[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0646801[3] |
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 cities in Minnesota. It is the county seat of Morrison County[4]. The population was 8,343 at the 2010 census.[1] Little Falls is the location of the boyhood home of Charles Lindbergh. 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.
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.[5] Today, the Little Falls Dam serves as a hydroelectric station that generates power for the surrounding area.
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (18 km2), of which, 6.3 square miles (16 km2) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) of it (7.40%) is water.
U.S. Route 10 and Minnesota State Highways 27 and 371 are three of the main routes in the city.
Little Falls is the eastern terminus of Minnesota State Highway 28 which heads to Browns Valley, Minnesota at its western terminus at the South Dakota Border. The Highway is overlapped with Minnesota State Highway 27, 12 miles west of town until it turns towards Swanville. Minnesota State Highway 28 is unsigned until outside of the city limits.
Minnesota State Highway 238 is nearby linking Minnesota Highway 27 at Little Falls to Interstate-94 (I-94) in Albany, Minnesota 35 miles south of Little Falls.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 508 |
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| 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% | |
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As of the census[2] of 2000, 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 according to Census 2000.
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.
Little Falls has several schools which include:
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 Charles A. Lindbergh, Sr.[8] 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.[9] The home, with its original family furnishings and possessions, is available for an informational tour.[10]
Created by artist Frank Gosiak, two large colored murals, depicting the logging era and main street Little Falls in the early 1900s, 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.[11] Also there are two public frescoes that make their home in 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 glass hall. The other fresco, "Beginnings", is housed in the interior of the school. It depicts the origins of Central Minnesota life and history.[11]
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" and are used for education, tours, overnight stays, conferences/retreats, weddings, family reunions and assorted special events[12]
Pine Grove Primeval Park and Zoo is located on the west side of town and nestled amongst the towering pines of a 70-acre (280,000 m2) park features a zoo, walking trails, picnic and playground area, a granite "council circle", and a rustic log shelter.[13] 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, yaks and a petting stable.[14]
On the southeast side of town there is the St. Francis Convent and Campus. St. Francis Covent was founded by the Roman Catholic order of Franciscans of Little Falls, Minnesota, in 1891.[15]
Located above the confluence of Pike Creek and the Mississippi River is the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum. The museum is owned and operated by the Morrison County Historical Society. The museum contains exhibits, documents, and artifacts about the area. The museum was named for Charles A. Weyerhaeuser, a prominent lumberman in the area. Museum grounds are home to natural prairie gardens, a Victorian-style fountain, and a gazebo overlooking the river.[16]
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.[17]
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. Burton owned dry goods stores throughout central and northern Minnesota. The home was sold to Christian Rosenmeier in 1921. Rosenmeier was an attorney for the Pine Tree Lumber Company, president of the American National Bank and American Savings and Trust Company and a Minnesota State Senator from 1922 to 1934. Rosenmeier's son, Gordon, was the next owner from 1932 to 1989. He was an attorney and a Minnesota State Senator, as well, serving from 1940 to 1971.
Beginning in 2005, the Dam Festival is an annual event that takes place in Maple Island Park, 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.[18]
An annual fair held the weekend after Labor Day. Sponsored by the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce since 1972.
It is, by far, the busiest time of year for the scenic town.
An annual fair held at the Morrison County Fairgrounds just northeast of town. The fairground also hosts many races and demolition derbies.
The Morrison County Record is a weekly newspaper published in Little Falls.[19]
Little Falls Radio Corporation has three stations:[20]
Central Minnesota Access Television[21] 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.[22]
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