Waverly, Minnesota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Waverly
City
Motto(s):  A rich past and a bright tomorrow
Location of the city of Waverly within Wright County, Minnesota
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Wright
Named for	Waverly, New York
Area
• Total	2.53 sq mi (6.56 km2)
• Land	1.66 sq mi (4.29 km2)
• Water	0.88 sq mi (2.27 km2)
Elevation	1,007 ft (307 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,900
• Density	1,146.65/sq mi (442.59/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	55390
Area code(s)	763
FIPS code	27-68764
GNIS feature ID	0653859
Website	www.waverlymn.org

Waverly is a city located in Wright County, Minnesota, in the United States. In 2010, about 1,357 people lived there.

Waverly's Early Days

The story of Waverly began in 1855. At that time, the government of the Minnesota Territory decided to create Wright County. Surveyors were sent to map out the new county's land. They found people already living there, clearing land and planting crops. Before these European settlers arrived, the area was mostly thick forest called Big Woods. There were also some wet grassy areas near Waverly Lake.

How Waverly Mills Started

In 1856, a surveyor and his partners were impressed by the two lakes, Waverly and Little Waverly. They also liked the nearby Crow River. They saw a chance to use the water for power. So, they built a dam, a saw mill, and a grist mill. A grist mill grinds grain into flour. This area became known as Waverly Mills. It was named after a town in New York where one of the partners used to live.

Challenges and Growth

Waverly Mills faced some tough times early on. There was a bank panic and a financial crash. Then, grasshoppers destroyed crops. But the town survived. The mills helped the community grow. Soon, there was a store, a post office, and a church with a cemetery.

The Railroad Arrives

Later, a new settlement called Waverly Station grew up about a mile away. This happened when the railroad came through in 1868. The railroad company built a station and a grain house there. The first store was opened by T. R. Barrett. He later turned it into a hotel called the Keystone House.

Community Life and Education

In the early 1900s, Waverly had many community groups. These groups helped people and supported the town. A new school was built in 1905. It was a brick building with two stories. Four teachers taught a full range of subjects, including manual training and music. Today, Humphrey Elementary School stands in the same spot.

Becoming an Official City

Waverly Station officially became a village in 1881. It was reincorporated as Waverly in 1885. This meant it became an official city under Minnesota's laws. The people voted, and all 41 votes were for the change.

A Busy Town

Waverly grew quickly thanks to the railroad and the farmers living nearby. Many early farmers came from different parts of the United States, Canada, and Europe. They supported Waverly's many businesses. These included a post office, bank, newspapers, churches, and various shops. Waverly was known for having some of the largest and best buildings in Wright County. By 1909, over 1,000 people lived in Waverly. It was also a popular place for people to visit in the summer.

Changes Over Time

Like many small towns, Waverly has changed a lot. Farming became more industrialized. Young people often moved to bigger cities for jobs. This caused Waverly's population to shrink. By 1980, only 470 people lived there. Many businesses and community groups merged or closed.

New Growth in Waverly

Today, Waverly is changing again. The old grain elevators are gone. New homes are being built. The big cities are now only a short drive away. From 2000 to 2007, many new housing developments were built. These included Summerfields and Woodland Shores. This brought a lot of new residents to Waverly. The population grew by over 60 percent since 2000. In 2010, nearly 1,300 people lived in Waverly. The city is now ready for more growth, but it still wants to keep its small-town feel.

The Waverly Village Hall was built in 1939. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical building.

Waverly's Location

According to the United States Census Bureau, Waverly covers a total area of about 2.55 square miles (6.6 square kilometers). About 1.69 square miles (4.38 square kilometers) is land, and 0.86 square miles (2.23 square kilometers) is water. U.S. Highway 12 is the main road that goes through the city.

People of Waverly

In 2010, there were 1,357 people living in Waverly. There were 520 households and 357 families. The city had about 803 people per square mile (310 people per square kilometer). Most people living in Waverly were White (97.3%). A small number were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 1.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Households and Families

Out of 520 households, 37.1% had children under 18 living with them. Most households (56.2%) were married couples. About 24% of all households were people living alone. The average household had 2.53 people, and the average family had 3.03 people.

Age of Residents

The average age in Waverly was 31.6 years old. About 26.6% of residents were under 18. Many people (37.6%) were between 25 and 44 years old. About 8.2% of residents were 65 or older. More males lived in the city (53.7%) than females (46.3%).

Famous People from Waverly

• Dick Borrell: He was a state representative in Minnesota. He was also an educator and a businessman.
• William Culkin: He served as a state senator in Minnesota and was also a historian.
• Hubert Humphrey: He was a very important American politician. He served as the 38th Vice President of the United States from 1965 to 1969. He was also a U.S. senator for Minnesota for many years. In 1958, Humphrey and his wife built a home in Waverly. It was his main home for the rest of his life, and he passed away there in 1978. The elementary school in Waverly is named after him.
• Reuben Soderstrom: He was a leader in American labor unions. He was born on a farm near Waverly.

See also

In Spanish: Waverly (Minnesota) para niños