Long Prairie, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Long Prairie, Minnesota
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Central Avenue in downtown Long Prairie in 2024
1883 Todd County Courthouse in Long Prairie
Mosaics and pond at Long Prairie's Harmony Park
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| Motto(s):
"Expanding Our Horizons"
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 Long Prairie, Minnesota
Location in Minnesota
Long Prairie, Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Todd |
| Founded | May 1867 |
| Incorporated | December 22, 1883 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.922 sq mi (7.568 km2) |
| • Land | 2.746 sq mi (7.113 km2) |
| • Water | 0.076 sq mi (0.197 km2) 2.60% |
| Elevation | 1,303 ft (397 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,661 |
| • Estimate
(2024)
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3,710 |
| • Density | 1,252.9/sq mi (483.75/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
56347
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| Area code(s) | 320 |
| FIPS code | 27-38060 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395758 |
| Highways | US 71, MN 27, MN 287 |
Long Prairie is an active, friendly city located in the state of Minnesota. It serves proudly as the official county seat of Todd County. This welcoming settlement is recognized as the very oldest town established in the county.
Thousands of families enjoy calling this community their home. The 2020 census reported that 3,661 people lived within the town borders. Recent numbers show that around 3,710 people reside there today.
The town provides a safe place where young people can grow and learn. It is filled with lovely public parks, clean waters, and great historic sites. Local neighbors work hard together to make their home special for everyone.
Contents
History of the Long Prairie Region
Long before settlers built streets, Native American groups lived successfully on this fertile land. Early records show that the Sioux/Dakota nations hunted and traveled across these plains. Later, Anishinaabe and Ojibwe people made their homes around the woods and streams.
In the year 1846, leaders from the U.S. government completed an important formal agreement. This treaty set aside a large district in central Minnesota as a reservation. Native families from the Winnebago Indians (Ho-Chunk) nation were moved to this new area.
Their journey northward was an extremely tough trek for all of the families. When they arrived, tribal members worked cooperatively to construct an organized village. They successfully raised wooden houses, built a community school, and opened a local church.
A new government treaty established in 1855 moved the tribe toward southern lands. Soon afterward, new pioneers arrived to build their own farms and small businesses. In May 1867, surveyor teams finally platted the streets of the new village.
Settlers named their growing settlement after the nearby flowing Long Prairie River. The name of this river was created earlier by the local Ojibwe people. Today, experts from the United States Geological Survey track the stream water levels regularly.
Town Heroes and Community Leaders
Many brave public servants helped keep town families secure throughout its long history. One respected community hero was a dedicated village officer named George Williams. Williams worked tirelessly as both the local marshal and the town fire chief.
Early on July 29, 1922, a telephone call summoned him into duty. Trouble had started near a bank up in the town of Hewitt. The marshal bravely rushed outside into the darkness to protect local community members.
He went to watch the railroad tracks near the wide river bridge. Sadly, Marshal Williams lost his life while performing his protective duties that morning. Citizens built a stone monument to honor his exceptional courage and leadership.
Geography and Local Natural Features
Data from the United States Census Bureau describes the city boundaries in detail. The community covers a total geographic area of about 2.922 square miles. Almost all of this area, about 2.746 square miles, consists of solid land.
Water covers the remaining 0.076 square miles of the local town landscape. The lovely Long Prairie River flows gently northward directly through the town center. A smaller waterway called Venewitz Creek runs across meadows before joining the main river.
The region rests comfortably inside the beautiful North Central Hardwood Forest. Towering shade trees and broad green fields surround homes and schools. Busy roads connect the town, including US 71, MN 27, and MN 287.
Climate and Weather Patterns
Long Prairie experiences four very distinct seasons during each calendar year. Its inland location gives it what scientists call a true continental climate. This setup brings bright warm summers along with snowy, freezing winter months.
Summer days often reach comfortable temperatures in the upper seventies and eighties. Hot summer days occasionally climb right up toward ninety degrees Fahrenheit. During severe winter freezes, icy temperatures can drop far below zero.
The local plant growing season usually lasts for about 115 continuous days. Autumn brings colorful leaves, while springtime showers help wildflowers sprout across open meadows.
| Climate data for Long Prairie, Minnesota (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–1918, 1937–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 57 (14) |
59 (15) |
83 (28) |
95 (35) |
96 (36) |
101 (38) |
105 (41) |
104 (40) |
100 (38) |
90 (32) |
76 (24) |
71 (22) |
105 (41) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 17.9 (−7.8) |
23.0 (−5.0) |
35.8 (2.1) |
51.2 (10.7) |
64.5 (18.1) |
74.5 (23.6) |
78.7 (25.9) |
77.0 (25.0) |
68.3 (20.2) |
53.8 (12.1) |
37.1 (2.8) |
23.2 (−4.9) |
50.4 (10.2) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 8.5 (−13.1) |
12.8 (−10.7) |
25.6 (−3.6) |
39.8 (4.3) |
52.9 (11.6) |
63.7 (17.6) |
67.8 (19.9) |
65.8 (18.8) |
57.3 (14.1) |
43.7 (6.5) |
28.6 (−1.9) |
15.2 (−9.3) |
40.1 (4.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −0.9 (−18.3) |
2.6 (−16.3) |
15.4 (−9.2) |
28.3 (−2.1) |
41.4 (5.2) |
52.9 (11.6) |
56.9 (13.8) |
54.7 (12.6) |
46.3 (7.9) |
33.6 (0.9) |
20.0 (−6.7) |
7.2 (−13.8) |
29.9 (−1.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −45 (−43) |
−44 (−42) |
−37 (−38) |
−7 (−22) |
14 (−10) |
29 (−2) |
35 (2) |
28 (−2) |
16 (−9) |
3 (−16) |
−32 (−36) |
−39 (−39) |
−45 (−43) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.98 (25) |
0.92 (23) |
1.54 (39) |
2.73 (69) |
3.47 (88) |
4.58 (116) |
4.64 (118) |
3.37 (86) |
3.29 (84) |
2.92 (74) |
1.46 (37) |
1.13 (29) |
31.03 (788) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 9.7 (25) |
9.0 (23) |
8.6 (22) |
6.1 (15) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.8 (4.6) |
7.1 (18) |
11.5 (29) |
54.0 (137) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.2 | 7.2 | 8.4 | 10.3 | 11.9 | 12.9 | 12.2 | 10.5 | 10.6 | 11.1 | 8.0 | 9.1 | 121.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 9.0 | 6.4 | 4.9 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 4.4 | 8.9 | 37.7 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
Discovering Lake Charlotte
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Lake Charlotte sits right along the southern boundary of the city limits. This sparkling body of fresh water covers more than 144 total acres. State surveys from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources report deep spots reaching 84 feet.
The lake provides an excellent home for many wonderful types of aquatic wildlife. Biologists have found tiny creatures including the shiny banded killifish darting through weed beds. Other fish include largemouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, sunfish, crappies, and walleye.
Families visit the sandy swimming beach located on the northern shore of the lake. Kids can splash in the water, play on playground swings, or enjoy picnics. A public boat launch allows people to set out safely for weekend fishing.
City Government and Community Services
Citizens elect municipal leaders to keep town operations running smoothly every single day. The community operates under a classic Mayor–council system of local leadership. The elected Mayor serves a two-year term guiding town decisions and community projects.
Four dedicated Councilmembers serve four-year terms alongside a professional city administrator. At the state level, residents vote for leaders in the Minnesota Senate. They also help choose representatives who serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Transportation matters are handled carefully by regional planners and local county workers. The city jointly operates the Long Prairie Municipal Airport, also known as Todd Field. This airfield features a smooth 3,000-foot runway that accommodates small aircraft.
The Great River Regional Library
Young readers love visiting the local branch of the Great River Regional Library. This large network provides learning resources across six counties in central Minnesota. The system includes Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright counties.
Thirty-two separate branch libraries work together under headquarters in St. Cloud. Within Todd County, branches operate in Grey Eagle, Eagle Bend, Staples, and Long Prairie. Children can borrow great books, search educational websites, or enjoy fun storytelling hours.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
A dedicated volunteer park board oversees the care of all municipal open spaces. Neighborhood recreation grounds offer open grassy fields, modern swing sets, and scenic walking trails.
Children can spend sunny afternoons exploring many unique municipal park locations:
- Soldier's Field
- Westside Park
- Locke Park
- Water Tower Hill
- Lake Charlotte Park
- Harmony Park
- Riverside Park
Local Culture and Famous Museums
People in Long Prairie take great pride in preserving their unique local history. The Todd County Historical Society runs an educational museum in the commercial business district. Visitors can study antique tools, old photographs, and fascinating records from earlier pioneer days.
Another special landmark is the remarkable Dr. George R. Christie House. This large home was built back in 1901 by the county's first doctor. Inside, the house retains authentic furniture, antique medical instruments, and early personal family items.
The residence was placed on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places. Today, guided school tours walk young students through rooms to see past life. Teachers explain how medicine and home technology changed during the last hundred years.
People and Community Life
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 220 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,885 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,250 | −33.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,346 | 7.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,854 | 37.7% | |
| 1940 | 2,311 | 24.6% | |
| 1950 | 2,443 | 5.7% | |
| 1960 | 2,414 | −1.2% | |
| 1970 | 2,416 | 0.1% | |
| 1980 | 2,859 | 18.3% | |
| 1990 | 2,786 | −2.6% | |
| 2000 | 3,040 | 9.1% | |
| 2010 | 3,458 | 13.8% | |
| 2020 | 3,661 | 5.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 3,710 | 7.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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The community has grown steadily since its early days as a frontier outpost. In 1880, only 220 people lived inside the quiet, newly built village. By the year 2000, that total number had reached over 3,000 residents.
The 2020 census counted 3,661 people living inside 1,357 unique family households. About 27.3% of all residents were children under 18 years of age. That youthful population gives neighborhood playgrounds and schools an energetic, playful community spirit.
Families come from many different cultures, bringing diverse customs, foods, and festive holidays. Many residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, adding colorful traditions to the city. Local shops, restaurants, and downtown markets proudly reflect this rich cultural mix.
News reaches residents through the weekly Long Prairie Leader newspaper and local radio. Food processing businesses provide many good jobs that support hardworking local moms and dads.
Notable People
Several famous people were born in or once lived around Long Prairie:
- Barry Bennett — a talented football athlete who played defensive line in the NFL
- Charles P. Davis — a brave United States soldier recognized for his military service
- Tom Barnard — a well-known morning radio host and voice talent
See also
In Spanish: Long Prairie (Minnesota) para niños
