2015 ‐ 2035 Faribault County Comprehensive Plan 2015 Adoption Date: ______________ Primary Point of Contact: Michele Stindtman Program Administrator, SWCD/Planning and Zoning Faribault County Ag. Center, 415 S. Grove St., Suite 8, Blue Earth, MN. (507) 526‐2388 [email protected] U6T Secondary Point of Contact: Byron Jost Community Development Director Region Nine Development Commission 10 Civic Center Plaza Mankato MN 56001 (507) 389‐8863 [email protected] U6T Prepared By Faribault County SWCD/ Planning and Zoning Department Faribault County Ag. Center, 415 S. Grove St., Suite 8, Blue Earth, MN With Assistance from: Region Nine Development Commission Community & Economic Development Department 10 Civic Center Plaza Mankato MN 56001 www.rndc.org6TU TTTaaabbbllleee ooofff CCCooonnnttteeennntttsss Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................... i 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 11 1.1 SECTIONS OF THIS PLAN ........................................................................................................... 11 1.2 THE PROCESS ................................................................................................................................ 12 1.2.1 Why Plan? ............................................................................................................................................ 12 1.2.2 Public Input ......................................................................................................................................... 12 1.2.3 Final Steps ............................................................................................................................................ 12 1.2.4 Planning Advisory Committee .................................................................................................... 13 1.3 FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES .................................................... 13 1.4 UPDATE PROCESS ........................................................................................................................ 13 1.5 COMMUNITIES OF FARIBAULT COUNTY ............................................................................... 13 2. COUNTY PROFILE ............................................................................................................................ 15 2.1 COUNTY OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.1 Location ................................................................................................................................................ 15 2.1.2 Topography ......................................................................................................................................... 18 2.1.3 Surface Water, Lakes, Rivers and Stream, Public Drainage and Watersheds ......... 18 2.1.4 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................................ 23 2.1.5 Geology .................................................................................................................................................. 23 2.1.6 Soils ......................................................................................................................................................... 24 2.1.7 Climate .................................................................................................................................................. 24 2.2 COMMUNITY OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................... 25 2.2.1 City of Blue Earth .............................................................................................................................. 26 2.2.2 City of Bricelyn .................................................................................................................................. 27 2.2.3 City of Delavan ................................................................................................................................... 28 2.2.4 City of Easton ...................................................................................................................................... 29 2.2.5 City of Elmore ..................................................................................................................................... 30 2.2.6 City of Frost ......................................................................................................................................... 31 2.2.7 City of Kiester ..................................................................................................................................... 32 2.2.8 City of Minnesota Lake ................................................................................................................... 33 2.2.9 City of Walters .................................................................................................................................... 34 2.2.10 City of Wells ...................................................................................................................................... 35 2.2.11 City of Winnebago ......................................................................................................................... 36 2.3 BIBLOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................................. 37 3. HISTORIC AND CULTURAL FACILITIES .................................................................................... 39 3.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 39 3.2 HISTORICAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 39 3.2.1 Pre‐Settlement History .................................................................................................................. 39 3.2.2 Early History ....................................................................................................................................... 40 3.2.3 Incorporation of Townships ........................................................................................................ 40 i 3.2.4 Incorporation of Communities ................................................................................................... 45 3.2.5 1855 to 1900’s ................................................................................................................................... 48 3.2.6 1900’s to 1940’s ................................................................................................................................ 49 3.2.7 Post WWII to 1990’s ........................................................................................................................ 49 3.2.8 1990’s to Present Day ..................................................................................................................... 50 3.3 HISTORICAL FACILITIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND PRESERVATION EFFORTS ........... 51 3.3.1 Existing Facilities .............................................................................................................................. 51 3.3.2 Existing Organizations ................................................................................................................... 54 3.3.3 Local Historic Preservation Efforts........................................................................................... 55 3.4 BIBLOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................................. 55 4. DEMOGRAPHICS and POPULATION TRENDS ........................................................................ 57 4.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 57 4.2 GENERAL POPULATION TRENDS ............................................................................................ 57 4.2.1 Changing Population ....................................................................................................................... 58 4.2.2 Aging Population and Age Dependency Ratio ...................................................................... 58 4.2.3 Population Projections ................................................................................................................... 60 4.2.4 Median Age .......................................................................................................................................... 61 4.2.5 Population of Townships .............................................................................................................. 62 4.2.6 Population of Communities .......................................................................................................... 63 4.2.7 Population in Households ............................................................................................................. 63 4.2.8 County Migration .............................................................................................................................. 63 4.2.9 Minority Population Trends