Pipestone, Minnesota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pipestone
City
Downtown Pipestone
Motto(s):  "Home of the Red Stone Pipe"
Location of the city of Pipestone within Pipestone County, Minnesota
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Pipestone
Government
• Type	Mayor – Council
Area
• Total	4.15 sq mi (10.75 km2)
• Land	4.15 sq mi (10.74 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	1,739 ft (530 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,215
• Estimate  (2021)	4,160
• Density	1,016.64/sq mi (392.55/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	56164
Area code(s)	507
FIPS code	27-51388
GNIS feature ID	2396214

Pipestone is a city and the county seat of Pipestone County, Minnesota. The population was 4,215 at the 2020 census. The city is also the site of the Pipestone National Monument.

History

Pipestone was platted in October, 1876, incorporated as a village on February 10, 1881, and as a city on July 23, 1901. Pipestone took its name from Pipestone County.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.18 square miles (10.83 km²), all land.

Climate

The town has a humid continental climate similar to the rest of the state; though near the southern border, Pipestone is on measurably higher ground than many areas to the north and east.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,317 people, 1,923 households, and 1,084 families living in the city. The population density was 1,032.8 inhabitants per square mile (398.8/km²). There were 2,134 housing units at an average density of 510.5 per square mile (197.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.2% White, 0.9% African American, 1.9% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 3.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.2% of the population.

There were 1,923 households, of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.6% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 40.8 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 20.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

Economy

In 2006, Suzlon Energy of India began building wind farm blades at its subsidiary Suzlon Rotor Corporation in the town. Among the companies buying the blades is Wind Capital Group which is developing the biggest wind farm in Minnesota. They have closed down.

Ellison meats was founded in 1934 and has been a part of the Pipestone community since the early 1980s and moved to its current facility in 1990. In 2007, Ellison's was acquired by the J&B Group of St Michael, MN. J&B, founded in 1979, is the producer of "No Name" and "Midwest Pride" brand name products.

Arts and culture

Museums and other points of interest

Pipestone Courthouse

The Calumet Inn in downtown Pipestone is a restored historical building from 1888. It still operates as a functioning hotel. It features turn-of-the-century (19th to 20th) antiques and interesting architecture. The building was constructed using quartzite both structurally and in the facade. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The county Courthouse, also made of local quartzite stone, was built in 1899. The building is the most stylized of the quartzite buildings. It is rectangular in shape with a 110-ft clock tower topped with a dome and a statue of Lady Justice. It was restored in 1995 and rededicated in 1996. It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

In March 1905 the First Presbyterian Church had William Jennings Bryan as a speaker. He drew hundreds to Pipestone to hear his lecture.

Native Americans have used the pipestone quarries located at the Pipestone National Monument for centuries to obtain materials for pipe making, a practice that continues today. On the 282 acres (1.14 km²) site are a visitor and cultural center, 3/4 mile walking trail along Pipestone Creek, and Winnewissa Falls set in the tallgrass prairie. Pipestone Indian Shrine Association provides visitors with a selection of American Indian art and craft items. The pipestone quarry is described in Native American legends as a square-cut jewel lying upon folds of shimmering green velvet. This is an accurate depiction of the red quartzite almost hidden by prairie grass. It was designated a national monument by the United States in 1937.

Song of Hiawatha Pageant

Although he never visited the site, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was inspired to write of the area in the poem, "Song of Hiawatha". The Song of Hiawatha Pageant, which spins out Longfellow's vision of the American Indian, played in Pipestone for 60 years. The pageant was held at a small quarry lake on a natural amphitheater with a cast of 200 principals, chieftains, warriors, and dancers in their colorful costumes. Summer of 2008 was the last year for the pageant.

Education

Pipestone Area School District #2689 serves the community of Pipestone and surrounding area. Pipestone Area High School, a 197,000-square-foot (18,300 m²) middle and high school, opened in January 2003. Minnesota West Community & Technical College operates a campus in Pipestone.

Infrastructure

Transportation

U.S. Highway 75 and Minnesota State Highways 23 and 30 are three of the main routes in the city.

Notable people

See also

In Spanish: Pipestone (Minnesota) para niños