Fosston, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fosston
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| Motto(s):
Where The Prairie Meets The Pines
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Location of Fosston, Minnesota
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Minnesota | |
| County | Polk | |
| Incorporated | 1889 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2.13 sq mi (5.53 km2) | |
| • Land | 2.00 sq mi (5.18 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.13 sq mi (0.35 km2) 1.17% | |
| Elevation | 1,286 ft (392 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,434 | |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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1,399 | |
| • Density | 716.28/sq mi (276.57/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP code |
56542
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| Area code(s) | 218 | |
| FIPS code | 27-21986 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394799 | |
Fosston is a small city in Polk County, Minnesota, in the United States. It is part of the Greater Grand Forks area. The city's motto is "Where The Prairie Meets The Pines." In 2020, about 1,434 people lived there.
Contents
Exploring Fosston's Location
Fosston is located in Polk County, Minnesota. The city covers a total area of about 1.71 square miles (4.43 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
A major road, U.S. Highway 2, runs through the city. This four-lane highway helps people travel to and from Fosston.
Fosston's Population Over Time
The population of Fosston has changed over the years. Here's a quick look at how many people have lived in the city during different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 207 | — | |
| 1900 | 864 | 317.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,075 | 24.4% | |
| 1920 | 1,014 | −5.7% | |
| 1930 | 978 | −3.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,271 | 30.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,424 | 12.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,704 | 19.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,684 | −1.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,599 | −5.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,517 | −5.1% | |
| 2000 | 1,575 | 3.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,527 | −3.0% | |
| 2020 | 1,434 | −6.1% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 1,399 | −8.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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What the 2010 Census Showed
In 2010, there were 1,571 people living in Fosston. These people lived in 670 households, and 367 of those were families.
Most of the people living in Fosston were White (94.0%). About 2.9% were Native American, and 0.4% were Asian. About 2.8% of the population identified as being from two or more races. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 2.2% of the population.
The average age in Fosston was 43 years old. About 25.5% of residents were under 18. About 26% were 65 years or older.
Fosston's History
The first European settlers arrived in the Fosston area in 1876. They came in covered wagons, bringing their animals with them. Charles Adair was the first to claim land, and others soon followed.
Fosston was named after Louis Foss, who came from Norway. He moved his store and opened a post office in the area, and that's when the town got its name. W. J. Hilligoss helped organize the townsite in 1884. He bought the land, had it surveyed, and even built a hotel.
The village officially became a city on August 22, 1895. Fosston was an important stop on the Great Northern Railway line, which helped the town grow.
The Legend of Cordwood Pete
To attract visitors, a fun story about "Cordwood Pete" was created by Arvid Clementson, a former mayor of Fosston. He said he found the story in a time capsule in 2001.
Cordwood Pete was said to be the younger brother of the famous giant lumberjack, Paul Bunyan. But unlike Paul, Pete was only 4 feet 9 inches tall. The story says he didn't grow much because Paul ate all the pancakes!
Pete followed Paul to Minnesota and became a lumberjack near Fosston. People called him "Cordwood Pete" because he seemed better suited for cutting smaller logs. Even though he was small, he was known for being feisty and brave.
One day, Pete supposedly "borrowed" Paul's huge ax. When he swung it, the ax spun so fast that it cleared 100 acres of trees! The railroad then hired him, and he cleared fifty square miles of timber in one day. After that, he went back to cutting cordwood with his donkey, Tamarack. He lived to be 84.
Stories like Cordwood Pete are sometimes called "fakelore". This means they are modern stories made to sound like old folktales.
High School Sports Achievements
Fosston has a proud history in high school sports.
- In 1913, Fosston's boys' basketball team won the very first state basketball championship.
- In 2002, the girls' basketball team set a state record for winning 78 games in a row! This amazing streak lasted from 1999 to 2002.
Media in Fosston
Fosston has its own local media, and people can also get news from nearby cities.
Radio Stations
- KKCQ (AM) 1480 AM: Known as "The Information Station," it broadcasts talk shows.
- KKCQ-FM 96.7 FM: Called "Q-Country 96.7," this station plays country music. Its studios are in Fosston.
- KKEQ FM 107.1 FM: Known as "QFM," this station plays contemporary Christian music.
People in Fosston can also listen to radio and watch TV from cities like Bemidji, Thief River Falls, Crookston, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Fargo, North Dakota.
Local Newspapers
Fosston has one local newspaper called The 13 Towns. Other newspapers like the Grand Forks Herald, The Forum, The Pioneer, and Star Tribune are also available.
Notable People from Fosston
Many interesting people have come from Fosston, including:
- Lily Hanson: A talented writer and comedian.
- Edgar Olson: A politician and farmer.
- Francis Stadsvold: A well-known basketball player and coach.
- Reuben Harold Tweten: A politician and farmer.
See also
In Spanish: Fosston (Minnesota) para niños
