Kasson, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
Kasson is a city in Dodge County
, Minnesota
, United States
. The population was 5,931 at the 2010 census. The city is located 13 miles west of Rochester
, Minnesota
along U.S. Route 14
and is one of the endpoints of Minnesota State Highway 57
. The Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
's main freight rail line also runs through the city. Kasson shares a school system with nearby Mantorville
, Minnesota
(the "K-M Komets"). The K-M school system is a member of the Zumbro Education school district
(ZED).
According to Warren Upham
, superintendent of the Minnesota Historical Society
from 1896–1934, the city of Kasson was incorporated on February 24, 1870, and again on April 22, 1916, separating from the township on March 21, 1917. The town was named after Jabez Hyde Kasson, owner of the original townsite. Kasson was born on January 17, 1820 and moved to Minnesota
in 1856. He settled on a farm in the township, and laid out the village along with others. The plat was recorded on October 13, 1865. It had a station of the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company, and its post office opened in 1866.
Kasson is known for its annual Festival in the Park celebration, a volunteer-organized weekend with events celebrating the town's heritage and bringing together members of the community. The festival began in 1991 and has continued to grow over the years, including traditional events like a parade, a fireworks display, and the "Miss Kasson" ceremony, which was recently changed to "Kasson Ambassador," allowing men to take part. More recent events include a bellyflop contest, an eating contest, and a musical showcase. The Festival in the Park takes place the second weekend in August every year at the North Park.
building has officially been placed on the National Register of Historic Places
. Kasson's elementary and high school students began using the stately building on December 5, 1918. The school's nomination to the National Register was approved on December 6, 2007, almost exactly 89 years to the day after that moment in 1918.
The Kasson Public School
joins the Jacob Leuthold Jr. House, the Eureka Hotel, the Kasson Municipal Building, and the 1895 Kasson Water Tower on the list of Kasson’s buildings on the National Register of Historic Places
.
The Kasson Alliance for Restoration (KARE) and the City of Kasson co-sponsored an Historic Properties Reuse Study to investigate ways to use the Kasson Public School
building. The Reuse Study Report was published in October 2009. A citizen task force was formed in November 2009 and began meeting in January 2010 to investigate the adaptive reuses options outlined in the report which included a survey distributed to all of Kasson's 5,000 citizens. 581 citizens responded. In May 2010 the Task Force presented the survey results to the City Council. 58% of the respondents favored rehabilitating/reusing the school. At a city council meeting in August 2010, Mayor Tim Tjosaas asked the council to form a Library Building Committee (LBC) composed of citizen volunteers which was approved. The LBC began meeting in September 2010. In February 2011 the LBC announced that they had met with Deb Parrott of the engineering and architecture firm Widseth, Smith, Nolting and Associates. Ms. Parrott, who has experience with library design, was asked to prepare three library design proposals for the historic school as follows: 1) total rehabilitation of the 1918 school building, 2) a partial or modified rehabilitation of the school building and 3) a completely new structure on the general footprint of the existing building (note: after demolition of the 1918 school).
, the city has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land. Kasson is located 15 miles west of Rochester, Minnesota
,and 3 miles south of Mantorville, Minnesota
.
Two Council members and the Mayor are elected every two years via a city-wide vote. Among its primary duties, the City Council makes laws, sets policies, adopts budgets and oversees a wide-ranging agenda for the community. The City Administrator is appointed by the City Council to implement these initiatives. This official heads the administrative branch of city government and directs all city operations, projects and programs.
Various advisory boards and commissions provide information and makes recommendations to the City Council. These include the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Park & Recreation Commission, the Economic Development Authority, and the Library Board.
of 2000, there were 4,398 people, 1,678 households, and 1,179 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,170.4 people per square mile (836.5/km²). There were 1,711 housing units at an average density of 844.4 per square mile (325.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.29% White, 0.39% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 1.41% from other races
, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.
There were 1,678 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples
living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $49,022, and the median income for a family was $55,880. Males had a median income of $36,045 versus $25,810 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,249. About 2.5% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.
Dodge County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,731 people, 6,420 households, and 4,853 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile . There were 6,642 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,931 at the 2010 census. The city is located 13 miles west of Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
along U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14 , an east–west route, is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It currently has a length of 1,398 miles , but it had a peak length of 1,429 miles . For much of its length, it runs roughly parallel to Interstate 90.As of 2004, the highway's eastern terminus is in...
and is one of the endpoints of Minnesota State Highway 57
Minnesota State Highway 57
Minnesota State Highway 57 is a highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with U.S. Highway 14 in the city of Kasson and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S...
. The Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad
The Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad is a Class II railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway operating across South Dakota and southern Minnesota in the northern plains of the United States...
's main freight rail line also runs through the city. Kasson shares a school system with nearby Mantorville
Mantorville, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,054 people, 371 households, and 286 families residing in the city. The population density was 741.3 people per square mile . There were 378 housing units at an average density of 265.8 per square mile...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
(the "K-M Komets"). The K-M school system is a member of the Zumbro Education school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
(ZED).
According to Warren Upham
Warren Upham
Warren Upham was a geologist, archaeologist, and librarian who is best known for his studies of glacial Lake Agassiz. Upham worked as a geologist in New Hampshire before moving in 1879 to Minnesota to study the resources and glacial geology of that state...
, superintendent of the Minnesota Historical Society
Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a private, non-profit educational and cultural institution dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It was founded by the territorial legislature in 1849, almost a decade before statehood. The Society is named in the Minnesota...
from 1896–1934, the city of Kasson was incorporated on February 24, 1870, and again on April 22, 1916, separating from the township on March 21, 1917. The town was named after Jabez Hyde Kasson, owner of the original townsite. Kasson was born on January 17, 1820 and moved to Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
in 1856. He settled on a farm in the township, and laid out the village along with others. The plat was recorded on October 13, 1865. It had a station of the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company, and its post office opened in 1866.
Kasson is known for its annual Festival in the Park celebration, a volunteer-organized weekend with events celebrating the town's heritage and bringing together members of the community. The festival began in 1991 and has continued to grow over the years, including traditional events like a parade, a fireworks display, and the "Miss Kasson" ceremony, which was recently changed to "Kasson Ambassador," allowing men to take part. More recent events include a bellyflop contest, an eating contest, and a musical showcase. The Festival in the Park takes place the second weekend in August every year at the North Park.
Historic 1918 Kasson Public School
Due to efforts of Kasson's non-profit historic preservation group Kasson Alliance for Restoration (KARE), the 1918-era Kasson Public SchoolKasson Public School
The Kasson Public School building is located at 101 Third Avenue NW in city of Kasson, Dodge County, Minnesota, in the United States. Designed by architect Nels S. Jacobson Jr. of the architectural firm Jacobson & Jacobson, the school was constructed during the years 1917-1918...
building has officially been placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Kasson's elementary and high school students began using the stately building on December 5, 1918. The school's nomination to the National Register was approved on December 6, 2007, almost exactly 89 years to the day after that moment in 1918.
The Kasson Public School
Kasson Public School
The Kasson Public School building is located at 101 Third Avenue NW in city of Kasson, Dodge County, Minnesota, in the United States. Designed by architect Nels S. Jacobson Jr. of the architectural firm Jacobson & Jacobson, the school was constructed during the years 1917-1918...
joins the Jacob Leuthold Jr. House, the Eureka Hotel, the Kasson Municipal Building, and the 1895 Kasson Water Tower on the list of Kasson’s buildings on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Kasson Public School
The Kasson Public School building is located at 101 Third Avenue NW in city of Kasson, Dodge County, Minnesota, in the United States. Designed by architect Nels S. Jacobson Jr. of the architectural firm Jacobson & Jacobson, the school was constructed during the years 1917-1918...
building. The Reuse Study Report was published in October 2009. A citizen task force was formed in November 2009 and began meeting in January 2010 to investigate the adaptive reuses options outlined in the report which included a survey distributed to all of Kasson's 5,000 citizens. 581 citizens responded. In May 2010 the Task Force presented the survey results to the City Council. 58% of the respondents favored rehabilitating/reusing the school. At a city council meeting in August 2010, Mayor Tim Tjosaas asked the council to form a Library Building Committee (LBC) composed of citizen volunteers which was approved. The LBC began meeting in September 2010. In February 2011 the LBC announced that they had met with Deb Parrott of the engineering and architecture firm Widseth, Smith, Nolting and Associates. Ms. Parrott, who has experience with library design, was asked to prepare three library design proposals for the historic school as follows: 1) total rehabilitation of the 1918 school building, 2) a partial or modified rehabilitation of the school building and 3) a completely new structure on the general footprint of the existing building (note: after demolition of the 1918 school).
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land. Kasson is located 15 miles west of Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
,and 3 miles south of Mantorville, Minnesota
Mantorville, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,054 people, 371 households, and 286 families residing in the city. The population density was 741.3 people per square mile . There were 378 housing units at an average density of 265.8 per square mile...
.
Government
The City of Kasson utilizes a City Council/City Administrator form of government with a Mayor and four City Council Members.Two Council members and the Mayor are elected every two years via a city-wide vote. Among its primary duties, the City Council makes laws, sets policies, adopts budgets and oversees a wide-ranging agenda for the community. The City Administrator is appointed by the City Council to implement these initiatives. This official heads the administrative branch of city government and directs all city operations, projects and programs.
Various advisory boards and commissions provide information and makes recommendations to the City Council. These include the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Park & Recreation Commission, the Economic Development Authority, and the Library Board.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,398 people, 1,678 households, and 1,179 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,170.4 people per square mile (836.5/km²). There were 1,711 housing units at an average density of 844.4 per square mile (325.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.29% White, 0.39% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 1.41% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.
There were 1,678 households out of which 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $49,022, and the median income for a family was $55,880. Males had a median income of $36,045 versus $25,810 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $19,249. About 2.5% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.