Dotson, Minnesota facts for kids

Dotson is a small, quiet place in Brown County, Minnesota, United States. It is an unincorporated community, which means it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town.

A Look Back at Dotson's History

Dotson started as a community in 1899. It was located in a part of Stately Township. A company called the Western Town Lot Company created it. This company was part of a big train business, the Chicago and Northwestern Railway.

How Dotson Got Its Name

When it was first built, Dotson had a different name. It was called Bedford. This name came from a town in Massachusetts. One of the people who helped plan the new community was from there. But in 1901, the name changed to Dotson. It was named after Enoch Dotson. He was an early settler who lived near Sanborn.

What Dotson Was Like in the Past

In its early days, Dotson was a busy place. It had two general stores where people could buy things. There was also a train station, called a railway depot. A post office helped people send and receive mail. The community also had a lumberyard, a creamery, and a bank. Kids went to school there, and people enjoyed dances at the dance hall. Many families lived in homes throughout the area.

Changes Over Time

Over the years, Dotson began to change. The post office closed in 1905, just a few years after the community started. The school was built in 1921. It stayed open for many years, finally closing in 1964. The Dotson Farmer's Elevator, which helped local farmers, closed in 1954. By 1963, most people had moved away. Only nine people were left, all from the Balbach family.

Dotson Today

Today, Dotson is much smaller. You can still see a few reminders of its past. The old school building is still there. There's also a brick vault from the old Dotson Bank. Another building that once sold farm equipment also remains. In 2019, the Brown County Historical Society put up a special marker. This marker helps people remember the history of Dotson.