West Newton, Minnesota facts for kids
West Newton is what people call a "ghost town" in Minnesota. It's a place where people used to live and work, but now it's mostly empty. This old town is located in Nicollet County, right by the Minnesota River. It's not too far from a city called New Ulm.
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The Story of West Newton
How West Newton Got Its Name
West Newton got its name in a couple of ways! Part of the name came from an early settler named James Newton. He moved to the area from Kentucky a long time ago. The other part of the name came from a steamboat called the West Newton. This boat was built in 1852. Sadly, it sank in September 1853 near a place called Alma, Wisconsin.
What Was in West Newton?
Even though it's a ghost town now, West Newton used to be a busy place. It had its own post office for many years. The post office helped people send and receive letters and packages. It was open from 1862 all the way until 1910.
One very important building that is still around is Harkin's General Store. A general store is like an old-fashioned supermarket where people could buy almost anything they needed. Harkin's General Store is so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site that people want to protect.
Famous People from West Newton
One notable person connected to West Newton was John Hubert Peschges. He became an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church. He was the second Bishop of the Diocese of Crookston. A bishop is a high-ranking religious leader.
