Canby, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Canby
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Canby's historic downtown
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| Motto(s):
"Gateway to the Prairie"
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Location of Canby
within Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Yellow Medicine |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.25 sq mi (5.82 km2) |
| • Land | 2.24 sq mi (5.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,214 ft (370 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,695 |
| • Density | 757.03/sq mi (292.33/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
56220
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| Area code(s) | 507 |
| FIPS code | 27-09604 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393728 |
| Website | www.canby.govoffice.com |
Canby is a city located in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, United States. It's a friendly place with a population of 1,695 people, according to the 2020 census. Canby is known as the "Gateway to the Prairie," welcoming visitors to the beautiful surrounding lands.
Contents
- Discover Canby's Past: A Journey Through Time
- Canby's Location and Environment
- Canby's Population: A Look at the Numbers
- Canby's Culture and Community Spirit
- Famous People from Canby
- See also
Discover Canby's Past: A Journey Through Time
Canby has a rich history, starting with its first European settlers.
Early Beginnings and Naming the Town
One of the first settlers was John Swenson. He built a home and opened a small store for his neighbors. In November 1874, a post office was set up in his store. Swenson suggested naming it "Canby" to honor General Edward Canby. General Canby was a respected United States Army officer who sadly passed away during peace talks with the Modoc Tribe.
The Railroad Arrives and Canby Grows
In 1876, more settlers arrived, and the railway company decided to extend its train service. Canby Station was created, and the city was officially planned by the Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company. Because of its location on the railway, Canby quickly grew. It became an official village in 1879 and a city in 1905. The railroad sold land plots, requiring new owners to build on them within six months. John Swenson was the first to buy, choosing a spot for his store on Front and Main streets.
Challenges Faced by Early Settlers
Life for early Canby residents wasn't always easy. They faced challenges like grasshopper plagues, concerns about Native Americans, and prairie fires.
Grasshopper Plagues and Nature's Fury
The summer of 1875 brought the first severe grasshopper plague. These insects ate everything, from grass and tree leaves to even clustering on buildings. Settlers tried many things to get rid of them, but the grasshoppers devoured almost everything.
Native American Encounters
Native American groups were often on people's minds. A famous battle involving General Custer and Native American warriors had recently happened. Not long after, a group of about 100 Native Americans camped near the railroad tracks in Canby. They came to trade furs for goods, and they left peacefully without any problems.
Fighting Prairie Fires and Rebuilding
Prairie fires were a constant danger. Settlers plowed firebreaks around the town and their farms to protect them. In 1893, a fire started in town from a common daily task: filling a kerosene lamp. The wind spread the flames quickly. Many Main Street stores were destroyed. Then, the wind changed direction, blowing the fire across Main Street and burning almost every building in another block.
The fire caused about $150,000 in damage. But Canby residents didn't give up! They quickly rebuilt the town, using stronger materials like brick and stone. Because of these well-preserved buildings, Canby's downtown area is now a nationally recognized historic district. The oldest building, which survived the fire, is located at the corner of Highway 75 and 2nd Street.
Community Life and Progress
Canby's community quickly developed.
Establishing Schools and News
The first sermon in Canby was preached in 1876, and regular English-language church services began in 1879. The first school opened in 1877, located on the second floor of a home. The Canby News, the westernmost newspaper on the railroad, was founded in September 1878. By 1888-1889, the cost to run Canby's government was $5,898.12.
Growth in the New Century
The 20th century brought many changes and amazing growth to Canby. Businesses changed hands, and many new ones opened. In 1915, 50 new homes were built, showing a pre-war boom. After World War II, in 1946, there was another housing shortage. In 1947, 55 building permits were issued, and the following years were also "building years" for Canby.
The city's population grew the most in the 1930s, reaching its highest point in 1950. By 1940, Canby had 157 businesses!
Farming: A Key Part of Canby's Identity
Farming has been important to the Canby area since the first settlers arrived. Farms and businesses related to agriculture provide many job opportunities. Canby understands how vital farming is and continues to support its farming industry to ensure the community's future success.
Canby's Location and Environment
Canby is located in a specific part of Norman Township.
Geographic Features
The city covers about 2.20 square miles (5.82 square kilometers). Most of this area is land (2.19 sq mi or 5.80 sq km), with a small amount of water (0.01 sq mi or 0.02 sq km). Canby Creek, which flows into the Lac qui Parle River, runs through the city.
Major Roads
Two important roads, U.S. Highway 75 and Minnesota State Highway 68, pass through Canby. Minnesota State Highway 67 is also very close to the city.
Climate in Canby
Canby experiences a range of weather throughout the year, typical of Minnesota. Here's a look at the average temperatures and precipitation:
| Climate data for Canby, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1916–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 68 (20) |
67 (19) |
84 (29) |
98 (37) |
100 (38) |
110 (43) |
111 (44) |
108 (42) |
106 (41) |
94 (34) |
82 (28) |
72 (22) |
111 (44) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 46.5 (8.1) |
51.3 (10.7) |
66.7 (19.3) |
81.1 (27.3) |
89.4 (31.9) |
93.3 (34.1) |
95.1 (35.1) |
94.0 (34.4) |
89.6 (32.0) |
83.5 (28.6) |
66.0 (18.9) |
50.0 (10.0) |
97.3 (36.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 23.4 (−4.8) |
27.8 (−2.3) |
39.6 (4.2) |
54.6 (12.6) |
68.1 (20.1) |
78.3 (25.7) |
83.0 (28.3) |
80.7 (27.1) |
73.2 (22.9) |
58.7 (14.8) |
42.0 (5.6) |
28.5 (−1.9) |
54.8 (12.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 14.4 (−9.8) |
18.6 (−7.4) |
30.3 (−0.9) |
44.0 (6.7) |
57.2 (14.0) |
67.7 (19.8) |
72.3 (22.4) |
69.8 (21.0) |
61.6 (16.4) |
47.7 (8.7) |
32.9 (0.5) |
20.3 (−6.5) |
44.7 (7.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 5.4 (−14.8) |
9.4 (−12.6) |
21.0 (−6.1) |
33.3 (0.7) |
46.2 (7.9) |
57.1 (13.9) |
61.5 (16.4) |
58.9 (14.9) |
50.0 (10.0) |
36.8 (2.7) |
23.8 (−4.6) |
12.0 (−11.1) |
34.6 (1.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −16.3 (−26.8) |
−11.4 (−24.1) |
−1.5 (−18.6) |
18.5 (−7.5) |
31.5 (−0.3) |
44.4 (6.9) |
50.1 (10.1) |
47.7 (8.7) |
34.5 (1.4) |
21.3 (−5.9) |
4.9 (−15.1) |
−9.6 (−23.1) |
−19.1 (−28.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −33 (−36) |
−32 (−36) |
−28 (−33) |
0 (−18) |
18 (−8) |
33 (1) |
38 (3) |
35 (2) |
22 (−6) |
9 (−13) |
−16 (−27) |
−28 (−33) |
−33 (−36) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.84 (21) |
0.90 (23) |
1.52 (39) |
2.80 (71) |
3.43 (87) |
4.11 (104) |
3.33 (85) |
3.35 (85) |
2.80 (71) |
2.41 (61) |
1.35 (34) |
1.11 (28) |
27.95 (709) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 7.8 (20) |
8.0 (20) |
7.4 (19) |
7.2 (18) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.0 (2.5) |
6.4 (16) |
9.9 (25) |
47.8 (120.75) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 9.4 (24) |
10.6 (27) |
10.8 (27) |
4.7 (12) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (1.0) |
4.4 (11) |
8.4 (21) |
15.6 (40) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 6.0 | 5.7 | 6.4 | 8.5 | 11.0 | 10.9 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 4.6 | 6.0 | 91.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 5.0 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 4.9 | 22.4 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service | |||||||||||||
Canby's Population: A Look at the Numbers
The population of Canby has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown and shifted:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 331 | — | |
| 1890 | 470 | 42.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,100 | 134.0% | |
| 1910 | 1,528 | 38.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,754 | 14.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,738 | −0.9% | |
| 1940 | 2,099 | 20.8% | |
| 1950 | 2,173 | 3.5% | |
| 1960 | 2,146 | −1.2% | |
| 1970 | 2,147 | 0.0% | |
| 1980 | 2,143 | −0.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,826 | −14.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,903 | 4.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,795 | −5.7% | |
| 2020 | 1,695 | −5.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Canby's Population in 2010
According to the 2010 census, Canby had 1,795 people living in 792 households. The city's population density was about 820 people per square mile. Most residents (97.9%) were White. Small percentages of African American, Native American, and Asian people also lived in the city. About 2.4% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (46.6%) were married couples living together. About 24.6% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.11 people, and the average family had 2.81 people. The median age in Canby was 46.1 years. About 19.6% of residents were under 18, and 28.2% were 65 or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (47.9%) and females (52.1%).
Canby's Culture and Community Spirit
Canby is known for its strong community and local events.
High School Wrestling Success
Canby High School has a very successful wrestling program. The team won the Minnesota State Team Championship multiple times: in 1976, 1977, 1979, 1986, 1988, 1994, 1995, and 2006. This shows a great tradition of athletic achievement!
Yellow Medicine County Fair
Canby is also home to the annual Yellow Medicine County Fair. This fun event takes place at the end of summer. The fair has been held every year for over 120 years! The only times it was canceled were in 1954 due to a polio outbreak and in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Famous People from Canby
Canby has been home to several notable individuals who have made a name for themselves in various fields:
- Burnett Bergeson, a Minnesota state representative and farmer
- Jerome Clark, a folk songwriter and expert on unexplained phenomena (ufologist)
- Randy P. Kamrath, another Minnesota state representative and farmer
- Layton Kor, a pioneer in the sport of rock climbing
- Connie Ruth, a Minnesota state representative
- Lee Savold, a well-known heavyweight boxing contender
See also
In Spanish: Canby (Minnesota) para niños
