Blue Earth, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blue Earth
|
|
|---|---|
I-90 and US-169 junction north of town
|
|
| Etymology: Blue Earth River | |
| Nickname(s):
Beyond the Valley of the Jolly Green Giant
|
|
| Motto(s):
Earth so rich the city grows!
|
|
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Faribault |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor – Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.41 sq mi (8.84 km2) |
| • Land | 3.32 sq mi (8.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,076 ft (328 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 3,174 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
|
3,248 |
| • Density | 956.60/sq mi (369.29/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
56013
|
| Area code(s) | 507 |
| FIPS code | 27-06688 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394200 |
Blue Earth is a city in Faribault County, Minnesota, United States. It is located where the east and west branches of the Blue Earth River meet. In 2020, about 3,174 people lived there. Blue Earth is the main town, or county seat, of Faribault County.
The city is famous for its large statue of the Jolly Green Giant. Also, Interstate 90 runs right through Blue Earth. In 1978, the construction teams building the highway from the east and west met here. To celebrate this, there's a special golden stripe of concrete on the interstate near Blue Earth. This is like the "golden spike" that finished the first transcontinental railroad. The Blue Earth Municipal Airport is also located close to the city.
Contents
History of Blue Earth
Blue Earth was officially planned and settled in 1856. The city got its name from the Blue Earth River that flows around it. The river was named by the Dakota people as makȟátȟo, which means "blue earth". This name comes from the blue-green clay found along the riverbanks. The full phrase was makato osa watapa, meaning "the river where blue earth is gathered".
A post office has been open in Blue Earth since 1856. In the summer of 2006, the city celebrated its 150th birthday. There were many community events, including a concert by Peter Noone from the band Herman's Hermits.
Fun Things to See and Do
Blue Earth has several interesting places and achievements that make it special.
The Jolly Green Giant Statue
The huge Jolly Green Giant statue is a major attraction. More than 14,000 people visit it every year! In 2007, the city decided to create a museum for Green Giant items. By 2018, a new building was built across from the statue. This building now holds the museum, the Chamber of Commerce, and tourism offices. It also serves as a welcome center for visitors. Lowell Steen, a local resident, has collected thousands of Green Giant items. He has loaned them permanently to the museum for everyone to enjoy.
Steinberg Nature Park
Steinberg Nature Park is a beautiful 33-acre park located just east of Blue Earth. You can find it on County Road 16. The park has a half-mile (0.8 km) walking trail and a nice picnic shelter. It's a great place to enjoy nature.
High School Sports Achievements
Blue Earth High School has a proud history in sports.
- Football: The Blue Earth High School Bucs football team was very successful in the 1960s. In 1964, 1965, and 1966, they were voted the #1 Best Football Team in the State by the Minneapolis Star Tribune Coaches Poll. They often stopped their opponents from gaining many yards. In 1972, the team had a great season with 9 wins and 1 loss. They played in the first state football playoffs. The 1990 team finished third in Minnesota for their division. On November 24, 2012, the 2012 football team won the division 3A championship! They beat Rochester Lourdes High School 30–7.
- Wrestling: The Blue Earth Bucs high school wrestling program is also very strong. They have the second-most individual state champions on record in Minnesota, with 50 champions!
Boy Scouts Event
From September 10 to 12, 1999, a special event for the Order of the Arrow (OA) was held in Blue Earth. The OA is a group within the Boy Scouts of America. Seven OA Lodges, representing Boy Scout councils from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, attended this gathering.
Cool Buildings and Architecture
Blue Earth has many interesting examples of Midwestern architecture.
Faribault County Courthouse
The Faribault County Courthouse was finished in December 1892. It cost over $70,000 to build. The architect was C.A. Dunham from Burlington, Iowa, and the builder was S.J. Hoban from St. Paul. The courthouse is built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, which uses strong, rounded arches and heavy stone. The stone used came from Kasota, Minnesota, and was brought to Blue Earth by horse, wagon, and train. The sand for the mortar came from the Blue Earth river bottom. The pillars on the front are made of shiny granite. The tower has solid stone ledges that weigh several tons each.
Churches with Unique Designs
- Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd: This church was built in 1872.
- First Presbyterian Church: This church was built in 1897 for $12,622.75. It was designed by Kinney and Orth, architects from Austin, Minnesota. Its style mixes Romanesque Revival (with arched windows) and Gothic Revival (with steeples and gables). It also has medieval-style towers.
- Salem Evangelical Church: This church was completed in 1942. It has an English country Gothic design. It was designed by Bard & Vanderbilt from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Geography and Location
Blue Earth covers a total area of about 3.36 square miles (8.70 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.27 square miles (8.47 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.09 square miles (0.23 square kilometers), is water.
The two main roads that go through the city are Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 169.
Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 1,066 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,569 | 47.2% | |
| 1900 | 2,900 | 84.8% | |
| 1910 | 2,319 | −20.0% | |
| 1920 | 2,568 | 10.7% | |
| 1930 | 2,884 | 12.3% | |
| 1940 | 3,702 | 28.4% | |
| 1950 | 3,843 | 3.8% | |
| 1960 | 4,200 | 9.3% | |
| 1970 | 3,965 | −5.6% | |
| 1980 | 4,132 | 4.2% | |
| 1990 | 3,745 | −9.4% | |
| 2000 | 3,621 | −3.3% | |
| 2010 | 3,353 | −7.4% | |
| 2020 | 3,174 | −5.3% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 3,248 | −3.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
|||
The population of Blue Earth has changed over the years. In 2010, there were 3,353 people living in the city. There were 1,453 households and 888 families. The city had about 1,025 people per square mile.
Most of the people living in Blue Earth in 2010 were White (96.0%). A small number were Native American (0.6%) or Asian (0.2%). About 2.1% were from other races, and 0.9% were from two or more races. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 6.9% of the population.
The average age of people in Blue Earth in 2010 was 46.4 years old. About 21.4% of residents were under 18 years old. About 24.7% were 65 years or older. The city had slightly more females (53.2%) than males (46.8%).
Famous People from Blue Earth
- Donald Deskey: An important industrial and interior designer.
- Arlen Erdahl: A politician from Minnesota.
- Geri Evans: A Minnesota state legislator (someone who makes laws for the state).
- Jim Hagedorn: A Congressman (someone who represents the area in the U.S. government).
- Tom Hagedorn: Also a Congressman.
- Daniel D. Murphy: A Minnesota state legislator.
- John M. Patton: A Minnesota state legislator.
- Pat Piper: A Minnesota state legislator.
- Frank E. Putnam: A Minnesota state legislator.
- Georgette Valle: A state legislator from Washington.
- William Zakariasen: A music critic for the New York Daily News newspaper.
Images for kids
-
I-90 and US-169 junction north of town
-
Location of the city of Blue Earth within Faribault County and state of Minnesota
See also
In Spanish: Blue Earth (Minnesota) para niños
