Swatara, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Swatara
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 Swatara
Location in Minnesota
Swatara
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Aitkin |
| Township | Macville Township |
| Elevation | 1,299 ft (396 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
55785
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| Area code(s) | 218 |
| GNIS feature ID | 658572 |
Swatara is a small community in Aitkin County, Minnesota, in the United States. It's called an unincorporated community because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Even without its own government, Swatara has a post office and its own ZIP code, which is 55785.
Contents
History of Swatara
At one time, Swatara had a train station. It was served by the Soo Line Railroad, which was a major railway company.
The Minnesota Experimental City Idea
In the 1970s, Swatara and nearby areas were considered for a very unusual project. A scientist named Athelstan Spilhaus suggested building a special city called the Minnesota Experimental City. This city was planned to be home to 250,000 people.
The idea was to use new and experimental technologies. For example, the city might have had moving walkways and monorail systems for transportation. There was even a plan for a transparent dome to cover the entire city!
Why the City Was Not Built
Many people supported the idea, including the state government and big companies like Ford and Boeing. However, people living in Aitkin County were worried. They were concerned about how the city would affect the environment. They also worried about how it would change their way of life.
A new group called the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was formed. In 1973, this agency decided to stop the project. This meant the experimental city was never built.
Geography of Swatara
Swatara is located in the northwest part of Aitkin County. You can find it along Aitkin County Road 7, which is also known as 610th Street. It's close to where County Road 29 (Osprey Avenue) meets it.
Nearby towns include Hill City, Remer, and Haypoint. Swatara is about seven miles southwest of Hill City. U.S. 169 is also nearby.
