List of mayors of Rochester, Minnesota facts for kids
A mayor is the main leader of a city or town. They work with the city council to make important decisions. These decisions affect everything from parks and roads to public safety and schools. The mayor helps guide the city's future and represents its people.
This page lists the people who have served as mayor of Rochester, Minnesota. Rochester is a large city in Minnesota, known for its history and growth.
Contents
Mayors of Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester has had many leaders since it became a city. Each mayor has played a part in shaping the community. They have helped Rochester grow and change over the years.
Early Leaders of Rochester
The first mayor of Rochester was Moses W. Fay. He served from 1858 to 1859. In the early days, mayors often served for one or two years. Many different people took on the role of leading the young city.
One famous early mayor was Dr. William Worrall Mayo. He served from 1882 to 1883. He was a well-known doctor who helped start the famous Mayo Clinic. His leadership was important for Rochester's early development.
Other mayors from this time include Frederick Augustus Olds, John Clark, and Lowell B. Bliss. Some mayors, like Bliss and Samuel Whitten, served multiple terms, but not always one right after another.
20th Century Mayors
As Rochester grew, its mayors continued to guide the city. Leaders like Julius J. Reiter served several times throughout the early 1900s. He was mayor for many non-consecutive terms between 1907 and 1935.
Later in the century, mayors like Alexander P. Smetka had long terms. Smetka served from 1958 to 1969 and again from 1973 to 1979. This showed a trend of mayors serving for longer periods.
Chuck Hazama was another long-serving mayor. He led Rochester from 1979 to 1995. During his time, Rochester continued to develop and become a major center for healthcare and research.
Recent Mayors
In the 21st century, Rochester has continued to elect dedicated leaders. Ardell Brede served as mayor for many years, from 2003 to 2019. He was a popular figure who oversaw significant growth and changes in the city.
The current mayor of Rochester is Kim Norton. She began her term in 2019 and continues to serve the city today. She is the first woman to hold the position of mayor in Rochester. Her work focuses on community development and planning for Rochester's future.
The list below shows all the people who have served as mayor of Rochester, Minnesota, and the years they were in office.
| Mayor | Term |
|---|---|
| Moses W. Fay | 1858–1859 |
| Frederick Augustus Olds | 1859–1860 |
| William D. Hurlbut | 1860–1861 |
| John Clark | 1861–1862 |
| Lowell B. Bliss | 1862–1864, 1868–1869 |
| Abram Ozmun | 1864–1865 |
| John V. Daniels | 1865–1866 |
| Ozora P. Stearns | 1866–1868 |
| Daniel Heaney | 1869–1870 |
| Frederick Taft Olds | 1870–1871 |
| Orlen P. Whitcomb | 1871–1872 |
| George W. Van Dusen | 1872–1873 |
| Dennis H. Williams | 1873–1875 |
| Daniel A. Morrison | 1875–1879 |
| Lyman E. Cowdery | 1879–1880 |
| Samuel Whitten | 1880–1882, 1883–1885 |
| Dr. William Worrall Mayo | 1882–1883 |
| Orson Sage Porter | 1885–1887, 1889–1890 |
| Andrew Nelson | 1887–1889 |
| Delbert Darling | 1890–1892 |
| Dr. Horace H. Witherstine | 1892–1895, 1896–1897, 1902–1903 |
| Dr. Wilson A. Allen | 1895–1896 |
| Joseph H. Wagoner | 1897–1898 |
| Burt Winslow Eaton | 1898–1899 |
| James Arthur Melone | 1899–1900 |
| Dr. E. L. Sinclair | 1900–1902 |
| Archie C. Stevenson | 1903–1905 |
| Martin Heffron | 1905–1907 |
| Julius J. Reiter | 1907–1909, 1917–1919, 1923–1925, 1931–1935 |
| J. C. Thompson | 1909–1911 |
| William B. Richardson | 1911–1917 |
| C. D. Brown | 1919–1923, 1927 |
| John T. Lemmon | 1925–1927, 1930–1931 |
| Fred W. Haase | 1928–1929 |
| W. A. Moore | 1935–1939 |
| Paul Grassle | 1939–1947 |
| Claude H. McQuillan | 1947–1951, 1953–1957 |
| Glenn O. Amundsen | 1951–1953 |
| Adolph M. Bach | 1957–1958 |
| Alexander P. Smetka | 1958–1969, 1973–1979 |
| Dewey Day | 1969–1973 |
| Chuck Hazama | 1979–1995 |
| Chuck Canfield | 1995–2003 |
| Ardell Brede | 2003–2019 |
| Kim Norton | 2019–present |
