Askov, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Askov
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Askov, Minnesota; July 2007
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Location of the city of Askov
within Pine County, Minnesota |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Pine |
| Incorporated | April 25, 1918 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.26 sq mi (3.26 km2) |
| • Land | 1.26 sq mi (3.26 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,168 ft (356 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 331 |
| • Density | 263.12/sq mi (101.62/km2) |
| • Demonym | Askovian |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
55704
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| Area code(s) | 320 |
| FIPS code | 27-02548 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394004 |
Askov is a small city located in Pine County, Minnesota, United States. In 2020, about 331 people lived there.
You can reach Askov using Minnesota State Highway 23, which is a main road in the area. Interstate 35 is also very close by.
Contents
History of Askov, Minnesota
Askov started as a stop along the Great Northern Railway. It was originally part of a place called Partridge. A post office was set up here in 1889. It was called Partridge until 1909, when its name changed to Askov. Much of the original Partridge village was destroyed in the Hinckley fire of 1894.
Danish Settlers and the Name Askov
Many of the first people to settle in Askov were Danish immigrants. They were followers of a Danish leader named N. F. S. Grundtvig. These Danish families wanted to keep their culture alive in the U.S.
In 1887, the Dansk Folkesamfund (Danish Peoples Society) was created to help preserve Danish heritage. With help from the railroad company, this society bought land near the train station in 1906. By 1909, they had sold this land to about 25 Danish families.
The name "Askov" was chosen to honor a village in Denmark that had a famous folk high school started by N. F. S. Grundtvig. The word "Askov" comes from Danish words meaning "ash forest."
By 1916, nearly 1,000 people of Danish descent lived in the area, making it Minnesota's largest group of Danish settlers. Askov officially became a city on April 25, 1918.
Early Economy and Modern Ancestries
In the beginning, the main way people made a living in Askov was through dairy farming. They also did a lot of mixed farming. Many of the streets in Askov still have Danish names today.
Today, the people living in Askov have different backgrounds. The most common ancestries are German, Irish, Norwegian, Danish, Scandinavian, and American.
The clothing brand Askov Finlayson was named after this city and a nearby town called Finlayson, Minnesota. Both towns are close to I-35.
Geography of Askov
Askov covers an area of about 1.26 square miles (3.26 square kilometers), and all of it is land.
The Kettle River and Partridge Creek both flow near the city. Banning State Park is also a short distance away.
Population Changes in Askov
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 242 | — | |
| 1930 | 298 | 23.1% | |
| 1940 | 312 | 4.7% | |
| 1950 | 387 | 24.0% | |
| 1960 | 331 | −14.5% | |
| 1970 | 287 | −13.3% | |
| 1980 | 350 | 22.0% | |
| 1990 | 343 | −2.0% | |
| 2000 | 368 | 7.3% | |
| 2010 | 364 | −1.1% | |
| 2020 | 331 | −9.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Askov's Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 364 people living in Askov. There were 171 households, which are groups of people living together. About 24% of these households had children under 18. The average age of people in Askov was 41 years old.
Most of the people in Askov were White (97.3%). A small number were Native American, Asian, or from two or more races. About 1.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Askov's Rutabaga Tradition
Askov used to be known as the "rutabaga capital of the world." This is because a lot of rutabaga was grown and sold from the town until the 1970s.
Today, Askov still celebrates this tradition with an annual "Fair and Rutabaga Festival." This festival includes a beauty pageant and a fair. It takes place during the fourth weekend of August, which is a few months before rutabagas are ready to be harvested.
Education in Askov
Students in Askov attend schools that are part of the East Central Schools district.
Famous People from Askov
Askov is the hometown of some notable people:
- Vern Mikkelsen: A famous basketball player for the Minneapolis Lakers. He is in the NBA Hall of Fame.
- Hjalmar Petersen: A former governor of Minnesota. He lived in Askov.
- L. C. Pedersen: A businessman and politician who also lived in Askov.
See also
In Spanish: Askov (Minnesota) para niños
