Cosmos, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cosmos, Minnesota
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Cosmos water tower
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Location in Meeker County and the state of Minnesota
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Meeker |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.00 sq mi (2.59 km2) |
| • Land | 0.98 sq mi (2.53 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,112 ft (339 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 507 |
| • Density | 519.47/sq mi (200.60/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
56228
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| Area code(s) | 320 |
| FIPS code | 27-13420 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393643 |
Cosmos is a small city located in Meeker County, Minnesota, United States. It sits right next to the South Fork of the Crow River. In 2020, about 507 people lived in Cosmos. It's known for its unique name and a fun space-themed festival!
Contents
History of Cosmos, Minnesota
The area around Cosmos was first settled in 1867 by Daniel Jackman from Maine. He lived in a tent at first, cooking over a fire, until he could build his home. He claimed land for a "homestead," which meant he could own land if he lived on it and farmed it.
Other early settlers arrived that same year. These included Isaac L. Layton, a veteran from the Civil War, and Hansom W. Young. They were among the first farmers to plant wheat in the area.
How Cosmos Got Its Name
The town was first called "Nelson" after Ole K. Nelson, who came from Norway. He was important because he brought the first horses and plow to the area, helping to break up the soil for farming.
On January 25, 1870, the town and its surrounding area were officially organized. Daniel Hoyt, a surveyor and town clerk, suggested the name "Cosmos." The word Cosmos comes from ancient Greek and means "order and harmony." It also refers to the entire universe and everything in it.
Growth and the Railroad
For a while, Cosmos stayed quite small. But around 1910, people started hearing rumors that a railroad would be built nearby. This was exciting news! In 1922, the Luce Railroad (also known as the Minnesota Western) was finally built. This helped Cosmos grow much faster.
On September 24, 1926, the town became an officially recognized village. Later, in 1969, it became a city. The town also had a post office, which moved between different counties before settling in Meeker County in 1872. Today, the Luce Line Trail, a popular path for walking and biking, runs all the way from Cosmos to Minneapolis.
Geography of Cosmos
Cosmos is located in the southwestern part of Meeker County. The South Fork of the Crow River flows through the southern edge of the city. Even though Cosmos is a city, it is located right in the middle of Cosmos Township.
Streets and Highways
The two main roads in Cosmos are Minnesota State Highways 4 and 7. Highway 4 is even called "Milky Way Street" in town! Highway 7 is called "Astro Boulevard." Many other streets in Cosmos are named after planets or constellations, keeping with the "space" theme of the city's name.
- Highway 4 goes north about 15 miles (24 km) to Grove City.
- It also goes south about 13 miles (21 km) to Hector.
- Highway 7 goes east-southeast about 18 miles (29 km) to Hutchinson.
- It goes west about 33 miles (53 km) to Clara City.
Land and Water
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Cosmos covers about 1 square mile (2.59 square kilometers) of land. Only a small part, about 0.02 square miles (0.06 square kilometers), is water. The South Fork of the Crow River flows east from Cosmos. It eventually joins the main Crow River and then the Mississippi River.
Cosmos Space Festival
Every year, on the third weekend in July, Cosmos hosts a special event called the Cosmos Space Festival! It's a big celebration with lots of fun activities for everyone.
Some of the things you can find at the festival include:
- Minn-E-Rods (miniature tractor pulls)
- Softball and volleyball tournaments
- An antique tractor pull
- Meals served in the park
- Exciting pig races
- A Space Festival parade
- Fireworks
- A pancake breakfast
- A pork chop dinner
- Church services in the park
- Live music and entertainment
- Crafters selling their goods
- A pedal tractor pull for kids
- A disc golf tournament
- Laser tag
- A bean bag (cornhole) tournament
- Citywide garage sales
- Drawings for prizes
- Many other fun activities!
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 230 | — | |
| 1940 | 357 | 55.2% | |
| 1950 | 382 | 7.0% | |
| 1960 | 487 | 27.5% | |
| 1970 | 570 | 17.0% | |
| 1980 | 571 | 0.2% | |
| 1990 | 610 | 6.8% | |
| 2000 | 582 | −4.6% | |
| 2010 | 473 | −18.7% | |
| 2020 | 507 | 7.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Cosmos Population in 2010
In 2010, the census counted 473 people living in Cosmos. There were 229 households, which are groups of people living together in one home. About 120 of these households were families.
- Around 23.6% of households had children under 18 living with them.
- Many households (38.9%) were married couples living together.
- About 14.9% of households had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.
The average age of people in Cosmos in 2010 was about 45 years old.
- 19.9% of residents were under 18.
- 19.5% were 65 years old or older.
- The population was almost evenly split between males (49.0%) and females (51.0%).
Notable People from Cosmos
- Mary Jane Shultz: A professor and researcher known for her work in chemistry.
- Shannon Currier: A head football coach at Concordia Golden Bears.
See also
In Spanish: Cosmos (Minnesota) para niños
