Rochester Minnesota

Rochester Minnesota

April 7th, 2010

Historical and social landmarks are important to any town. Rochester Minnesota is no different, with a history beginning as a small frontier town, to now being home to a world renowned medical care facility. Historical and social events are what give a town its foundation and identity. Various locations around town celebrate this history and culture.

Whether one is a resident or visitor, there are countless landmarks worth visiting in Rochester. From learning about the city’s history to simply enjoying its outdoor scenery, the town offers a number of different locations to learn and become educated about this town. A few of the most popular landmarks are as follows:

- Mayo Clinic – The Mayo Clinic is a world renowned medical and research center. A visit will offer a chance to see impressive architecture, unique artwork, as well as displays of the Clinic’s history and development through the years. The Mayo Clinic is the main employer in Rochester, and has played a major role in the shaping of the city. It is a stop that should not be missed. Free tours are offered daily.

- St. Mary’s Hospital – St. Mary’s is the starting point of the Mayo Clinic vision. This historic hospital was designed and supported by the Sisters of Saint Francis and became a leading and quality care facility under Dr. William W. Mayo. Without this starting point, the internationally known Mayo Clinic would not exist. Both guided and self-guided tours are available.

- Mayowood Mansion – Former home to Dr. Charles H. Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic, this impressive mansion still holds original furnishings and a trove of history for visitors. Guided walking tours are available, or simply come to see the residence of one of the most important men in Rochester’s history.

- Plummer House – Once home to Henry S. Plummer, this five story house is now one of the most popular historical attractions in Rochester. Plummer was one of the Mayo Clinic staff over one hundred years ago in 1901. His former estate features a forty nine room house, a water tower, and eleven acres of landscaped grounds with numerous flower gardens.

- Assisi Heights – An Italian Romanesque structure home to the Sisters of Saint Francis and the Assisi Community Center. In addition to the beautiful grounds set upon a hilltop in Rochester, the main building features an ornate lobby with a slate floor, hand-blown stained glass windows, and a Romanesque ceiling. One hour tours are available.

- Quarry Hill Nature Center – Located on three hundred acres of park land, Quarry Hill offers hiking trails, educational programs, a 1,700 gallon fish tank, live animals, bird watching, and many other activities for both young and old visitors.

- Soldier’s Field Park and Veterans Memorial – A popular spot for picnics, parties, and play, Soldier’s field park offers a beautiful place to relax close do downtown. The park is also home to the Soldier’s Field Veterans Memorial, built to honor the Veterans from Southeast Minnesota who have died serving their country and the freedoms we enjoy.

- Olmsted County History Center and Museum – For a look at Rochester and Olmsted County history, this is the place to check out. Dedicated to preserving the rich history of the region, the facility features exhibits showing significant events in the city and county’s past. There is a hands-on cabin exhibit to allow kids to experience life in Rochester in the mid-19th century. Other exhibits include information about the Mayo Clinic, St. Mary’s Hospital, and IBM. The facility also contains a large number of historical documents, such as photographs, newspapers, journals, and diaries.

- Rochester Art Center – The art center in Rochester has been around for a number of years in various locations. In 2004, a new facility was built downtown to help preserve and display artistic contributions from both the Midwest and throughout the country. Throughout the year, a variety of special exhibits, lectures, films, and workshops are featured, some emphasizing local work.

- Recreation Center – The recreation center in Rochester can offer a fun, activity filled day or evening, offering two regulation ice rinks, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a gymnasium, and an exercise room. With indoor facilities, staying fit and active in the winter has never been easier.

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History of Rochester Minnesota

May 13th, 2010

Like with many other towns in the area, frontier life and westward expansion of the country brought settlers to Rochester 154 years ago. Among those settlers was a man named George Head; a baker from Waukesha, Wisconsin. Head is typically considered the founder of Rochester since he built the first permanent home in the area, but others were here first. The land that Head wanted was previously claimed by Edward S. Smith. As Head tried to take over, Smith confronted him with a gun, but a deal was made as Head offered a large sum of money instead.

Head and his family arrived in the area in the late summer of 1854 and built a home on the Zumbro River. Some rapids on the river reminded him of falls on a river from his childhood in Rochester, New York, so he named the new settlement Rochester. Also in 1854, the first street, which is now Broadway, was opened. A log was dragged through the underbrush by a team of oxen to create a path, followed by Henrietta Head on a horse to make it official.

George Head built another log cabin along the Zumbro that would evolve into Rochester’s first first hotel over the next few years. It became a popular housing spot for settlers passing through. Many settlers came to stay, as the city was located along the Dubuque Trail, a 272-mile stagecoach route from St. Paul to Dubuque, Iowa. When the railroad arrived in 1864, the town grew even more. Farmers could now transport crops of corn, potatoes, and wheat to other parts of the country much easier. With the increase in population, other business started opening as well. Wool mills, broom factories, cheese factories, bakeries, and buggy wagon repair shops were some of the businesses that could be found.

As Rochester was growing into a substantial city, elsewhere in the country the American Civil War was raging on. Nothing unique to Rochester occurred as a result of the war, except that the city received Dr. William Worrall Mayo as a medical examiner of Civil War recruits. He had arrived in 1863, and built up a practice throughout the entire southern portion of the state of Minnesota during and after the war. He had two sons, William and Charlie, who would accompany him on medical calls when they were old enough. They eventually became doctors as well, and used their skills to the fullest.

On August 21st, 1883, a tornado swept through the north side of town, killing and injuring many people. Dr. William Worrall Mayo was a key player in rebuilding Rochester, knowing that people would leave if they were not well-cared for. Dr. Mayo and his sons, along with the help of Mother Alfred Moes and this Sisters of St. Francis, set up a system to care for those injured during the crisis.

As the town was beginning to recover, Mother Alfred Moes proposed building a hospital to the Mayos. Although not enthusiastic at first, the hospital was eventually started. The first seeds of the Mayo Clinic were planted as St. Mary’s Hospital was created. In 1901, Dr. Henry Plummer joined the practice at St. Mary’s, bringing many advancements in technology and patient care. This team soon formed the organization known as the Mayo Clinic. Parts of this history still remain in Rochester today. Dr. Charlie Mayo’s home, Mayowood, and Dr. Plummers’ home, the Plummer House, are available for special events and tours. Dr. Will Mayo’s mansion is home to the Mayo Foundation.

As the quality of care at the Mayo Clinic spread throughout the region, more people came to Rochester and the town continued to grow. An airport was opened in 1928, offering its services mostly to patients and visiting doctors. In 1956, IBM chose Rochester as its building site, creating a huge housing boom, drawing in many more people.

In 1978, another natural disaster struck when a downpour caused massive flooding in the city, killing five people and requiring the evacuation of 5,000. Since then, flood control has always been an important factor in any land developments. No serious flooding has occurred since the flood control projects were started. The 1980s brought the Centerplace Galleria to downtown Rochester, along with a number of other renovations.

There is no doubt that Rochester will continue to grow and thrive in the future. If there is one thing that Rochester’s history can teach, it is that devastation is not the end. The tornado of 1883 was one of the most destructive events in Rochester’s past, but it lead to the formation of an institution that saves thousands of lives every year.

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Have you Ever Though to Move to Rochester

June 10th, 2010

Rochester is a great place to have a home. If you are looking to buy a home or apartment, Rochester has several qualities that are important for a living situation. The city is in Olmsted County, Minnesota and has an estimated population of 97,191, making it Minnesota’s third-largest city. It is best known as the home of the Mayo Clinic. It is good to know different things about the city you are interested in buying apartments for. One of the great things about this city is that Rochester was founded by George Head in 1854. Originally from Rochester, New York, Head had settled in Waukesha, Wisconsin before moving west to Minnesota. He named his new settlement after his New York hometown. In 1857 Rochester was named the Olmsted County seat. Rochester was a stagecoach stop for travelers who journeyed between Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Dubuque, Iowa. When the railroad came to town in the 1860s, it brought new residents and business opportunities.

Although the weather is generally good, there have been natural disasters in the past. On August 21, 1883, a tornado demolished much of Rochester, leaving thirty-seven dead and several thousand wounded. There was no medical facility at the time, so Dr. William W. Mayo and his two sons worked together to care for the wounded. During that time, several donations were collected and the sisters of St. Francis, assisted by Dr. Mayo, opened a new facility named St. Mary’s Hospital in 1889. The Mayo practice grew immensely and today is one of the largest and most well respected medical facilities in the world. This is another good reason to have a residence in the area.

Another asset to the city is that Rochester has all different forms of transportation, thus making it a great place for friends and family to get around. Rochester offers a skyway system, subterranean walkways, bus, taxi, car rental, and airport shuttles. In addition, Rochester has climate controlled skyway and underground walkways known as subways. Downtown businesses, hotels, shops and dining are all accessible without having to step outdoors in the winter. A variety of shops and businesses are also located along the underground subways and skyways, which add to its convenience.

Another good way to get around the city is by cab. There are two taxi companies in Rochester: Yellow Cab and RTS Airport Express Rochester. Rochester International Airport is located eight miles south of downtown Rochester and is accessible via Highway 63 or Interstate 90. Taxis and airport shuttles provide service between the airport and the city’s business centers. The airport features two runways and service terminals operated by American Airlines and Northwest Airlines. There is also a large FedEx terminal, small DHL station and general aviation terminal are also on-site. The airport services flights from all over the world connected through American Eagle and Northwest Airlines. The Rochester Airport Company operates the airport, and is currently under an operating agreement with the City of Rochester. While RAC is a private company, the Mayo Clinic of Rochester oversees it, and has heavy influence at the airport. As in most American cities, the primary mode of transportation in Rochester and the surrounding area is the automobile. The city is served by three U.S. highways, and the southern edge of Rochester is skirted by Interstate 90 and Minnesota State Highway 30. Either way you decide to get around the city, there are several attractions and ways of reaching them, thus making Rochester a wonderful place to go.

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