Chatfield, Minnesota
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| Chatfield, Minnesota | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| Counties | Fillmore, Olmsted |
| Area | |
| - Total | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²) |
| - Land | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,010 ft (308 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 2,394 |
| - Density | 1,201.8/sq mi (464.0/km²) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 55923 |
| Area code(s) | 507 |
| FIPS code | 27-11008[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0641133[2] |
Chatfield is a city in Fillmore and Olmsted counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 2,394 at the 2000 census. The city's area is split almost equally between the two counties.
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land. It is also the home of the only stop light in Fillmore County, at the intersection of 3rd Street (Fillmore County Road 2) and Main Street.
Businesses of interest include one of the top Bed and Breakfasts in the Midwest, Oakenwald Terrace, a high end office furniture manufacturer, Tuohy Furniture, and a fiberglass pultrusion company, Strongwell. Other businesses in Chatfield include: Chatfield News, CLC Flooring & Amish Furniture, Country Art Gallery, Sutherland Fence, Hammell Equipment, Sweet Petals, Etc., and Robin's Upholstery. Chatfield is also home to the Pope and Young Museum, which houses a collection of trophy animals taken by archers. Chatfield is known as "The Gateway to Bluff Country".
U.S. Route 52 and Minnesota State Highway 30 are two of the main routes in the city.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,394 people, 930 households, and 633 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,201.8 people per square mile (464.5/km²). There were 959 housing units at an average density of 481.4/sq mi (186.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.66% White, 0.46% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.
There were 930 households out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,023, and the median income for a family was $53,625. Males had a median income of $32,174 versus $27,697 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,145. About 4.9% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
The land on which Chatfield sits was claimed by Thomas Twiford in 1853. Twiford paid a grand total of $195.60 for the town site. The town was named in honor of Judge Chatfield. It was the original Fillmore County seat.
In 1856 the Federal Land office was moved here, where it remained for several years. 1856 also marked the year that West Chatfield was laid out across the Root River. The first homes of the settlers were undoubtedly log cabins, with frame houses soon following. Most of the brick buildings on Main Street were built between 1870 and 1900. These buildings were mostly constructed of Chatfield brick and are a beautiful and historical addition to our community.
George A. Haven constructed the wall alongside Old Territorial Road from 1927 to 1964. It includes stones from the early schoolhouse, stones from six continents, including exotic places like Antarctica, England, Hong Kong, Tasmania and most of the fifty states. It also includes the thighbone of a dinosaur from Montana and a baptismal font from the ruins of a church in Italy.
Some of the first enterprises included a sawmill, a brickyard, flour mills, a woolen mill, an iron foundry, a door sash and blind factory, a broom factory and a cheese factory. A major hotel called the Medary House was built in town and, during its time, it was considered one of the best hotels in the country. The town originally had two newspapers, The Chatfield Democrat and The Chatfield Republican. The Republican moved to Preston and the Democrat evolved into The Chatfield News which still prints today.
Soon after it was founded, the citizens of Chatfield created a militia group called The Chatfield Guards. They could often be seen drilling in the City Park. When the Civil War broke out and President Lincoln issued his call for troops, the militia members immediately volunteered. They became Company A of the 2nd Minnesota Regiment. General Judson Wade Bishop was a Chatfield resident who served prominently in the war.
[edit] Entertainment
Because Chatfield is not connected to the Root River State Bike Trail it does not have many tourist attractions like many of the neighboring towns(Harmony, Lanesboro, etc). However, once a year on the second weekend in August the town holds its annual "Western Days" celebration. At any other time most city events revolve around the local high school activities. Ben Halvorson is usually rippin it up at the bars downtown when not spending time with his beautiful wife and children.
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- The Chatfield News - Local newspaper
- The Chatfield News - Current articles
- www.ci.chatfield.mn.us
- www.chatfieldmn.com
- Chosen Valley Public Schools
- City-data.com
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