Bigelow, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bigelow
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Location of Bigelow, Minnesota
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Nobles |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor - Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.39 sq mi (1.02 km2) |
| • Land | 0.39 sq mi (1.02 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,647 ft (502 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 227 |
| • Density | 577.61/sq mi (222.96/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
56117
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| Area code(s) | 507 |
| FIPS code | 27-05644 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394166 |
Bigelow is a small city located in Nobles County, Minnesota, United States. In 2010, the city had a population of 235 people. It's a quiet place with a rich history connected to the early days of railroads in Minnesota.
Contents
Exploring Bigelow's Location
Bigelow is found in the south-central part of Nobles County. The city covers an area of about 0.40 square miles (1.04 km2), which is all land.
One interesting fact about Bigelow's location is that its southern edge touches the border of Iowa.
How to Get Around Bigelow
The main highway near Bigelow is:
Minnesota State Highway 60
Another important way to transport goods and materials is by train:
Bigelow's Past: A Look at History
How Bigelow Began
Bigelow was one of the first three communities to start in Nobles County. The other two were Worthington and Brewster. All three towns appeared on maps in 1871.
However, Bigelow was just a spot on the map until the spring of 1872. That's when the St. Paul & Sioux City Railway tracks reached the area. For a while, only a large tent stood there for the construction workers.
In September 1872, a railroad depot (a train station) was built. Mr. S. O. Morse became the station agent. He and a partner opened a small grocery store inside the depot. This was the very first business in Bigelow.
Who Was Bigelow Named After?
Even before the train tracks arrived, the town's name was chosen. It was named after Charles H. Bigelow. He was a director of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railway. The railroad company decided to honor him by naming a new town after him.
Bigelow Township also got its name from Mr. Bigelow. It's not known if Charles Bigelow ever visited the town. But he likely traveled through it on the railroad he helped build.
Growing into a City
The town's layout was officially planned on September 24, 1873. That year, two new businesses opened: a general store and a hardware store. In 1874, a grain dealer, a lumber yard, and a coal business were added.
A schoolhouse was also built in 1874. It opened that fall with 24 students. The village grew slowly at first. By 1880, Bigelow had only 28 residents.
In 1892, a man named Charles L. Davidson bought the townsite. He wanted to "boom the town," meaning he wanted to attract more people and businesses. His efforts worked! By 1894, Bigelow had 150 residents.
By November 1899, the population reached 224. On February 13, 1900, the residents voted to form their own local government. The vote was 37 to 6 in favor. Mr. W. C. Wyatt became Bigelow's first president.
Bigelow Today
According to the 2010 census, Bigelow has 235 residents. It's still a small community with a few local businesses.
In recent years, Minnesota State Highway 60 was made wider and now goes around Bigelow instead of through it. This means less traffic directly in the town. Bigelow does not have its own public school. Children living in Bigelow can attend schools in nearby Worthington or Ellsworth.
People of Bigelow
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 28 | — | |
| 1910 | 195 | — | |
| 1920 | 223 | 14.4% | |
| 1930 | 199 | −10.8% | |
| 1940 | 250 | 25.6% | |
| 1950 | 238 | −4.8% | |
| 1960 | 256 | 7.6% | |
| 1970 | 262 | 2.3% | |
| 1980 | 249 | −5.0% | |
| 1990 | 232 | −6.8% | |
| 2000 | 231 | −0.4% | |
| 2010 | 235 | 1.7% | |
| 2020 | 227 | −3.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Bigelow's Population in 2010
In 2010, Bigelow had 235 people living in 88 households. About 59 of these households were families. The city had about 587 people per square mile.
Most of the people in Bigelow were White (87.7%). About 11.5% were from other racial backgrounds. About 20% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (36.4%) had children under 18 living with them. More than half (54.5%) were married couples. The average household had about 2.67 people. The average family had about 3.19 people.
The average age of people in Bigelow was 34.5 years old. About 26.4% of residents were under 18. About 13.6% were 65 years old or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (51.5%) and females (48.5%).
See also
In Spanish: Bigelow (Minnesota) para niños
