National Register Listings in
Rice County, Minnesota

Administration Building-Girls' Dormitory, Minnesota School for the Deaf All Saints Church-Episcopal Allen, W. Roby, Oral Home School Archibald Mill Archibald, Edward T., House Ault Store Baker, Laura, School Batchelder's Block Berry, Frank A., and Elizabeth, House Bonde Farmhouse Bridge No. 8096 Buck, Cassius, House Buckham, Thomas Scott, Memorial Library Carufel, Louis, and E. LaRose, House Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour and Guild House (Boundary Increase) Chapel of the Good Sheperd Church of the Annunciation-Catholic Church of the Holy Cross-Episcopal Church of the Most Holy Trinity (Catholic) Cole, Gordon, and Kate D. Turner, House Congregational Church of Faribault Cottrell, John N. and Elizabeth Taylor Clinton, House Den Svenska Evangeliska Lutherska Christdala Forsamlingen Dobbin, Reverend James, House Drake, Edwin S., Farmhouse Episcopal Rectory Faribault City Hall Faribault Furniture Company Faribault Historic Commercial District (Additional Documentation) Faribault Viaduct Faribault Water Works Faribault Woolen Mill Company Faribault, Alexander, House Farmer Seed and Nursery Company Goodsell Observatory-Carleton College Holman, M. P., House Hospital, State School for the Feeble Minded Hutchinson, John, House Johnston Hall-Seabury Divinity School Lieb, Vincent and Elizabeth, House Lonsdale Public School Lord, Drew H., House Martin, Wiliam, House McCall, Cormack, House McCall, Thomas, House McCarthy, Timothy J., Building McMahon, Thomas Bridget Shanahan, House Morristown Feed Mill Nerstrand City Hall Northfield Commercial Historic District Noyes Hall, State School for the Deaf Noyes, Jonathon L. and Elizabeth H. Wadsworth, House Nutting, John C., House Old Main, St. Olaf College Osmund Osmundson House Pfeiffer, John Gottlieb, House Phelps Library, Shattuck School Rice County Courthouse and Jail Rock Island Depot Rolvaag, O. E., House Sciver Block Building Scoville Memorial Library-Carleton College Shattuck Historic District Shumway Hall and Morgan Refectory-Shattuck School Skinner Memorial Chapel-Carleton College St. Mary's Hall Steensland Library-St. Olaf College Theopold Mercantile Co. Wholesale Grocery Building Trondhjem Norwegian Lutheran Church Valley Grove Veblen Farmstead Weyer, Adam, Wagon Shop Willis Hall-Carleton College Wilson, Hudson, House
The oldest public wildflower garden in the United States, the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, is located in Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis.
Minnesota random facts
Rice County, located in southern Minnesota, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The first inhabitants of the region were Native American tribes, including the Dakota Sioux and Winnebago people. These tribes relied on the natural resources of the area, particularly the water sources and fertile soil for agricultural purposes.

In the mid-19th century, European settlers began to establish themselves in Rice County. The county was officially created in 1853 and named after Henry Mower Rice, a prominent politician and pioneer in Minnesota. The town of Faribault was chosen as the county seat, which quickly became a prosperous and influential town in the region.

The region's economy in the early years of settlement was primarily agriculture-based, with farming being the primary occupation of its residents. Rice County also became a key location in the development of flour milling and grain production in Minnesota. Numerous mills were established along the Straight River and Cannon River, which provided power for these industries.

Over the years, Rice County experienced growth and development in various sectors. The establishment of educational institutions, such as Carleton College and Shattuck-St. Mary's School, brought culture and intellectual life to the area. In more recent times, the county has seen further diversification with the expansion of healthcare, retail, and manufacturing industries.

Today, Rice County is a vibrant community that honors its history while embracing growth and progress. Visitors and residents alike enjoy its natural beauty, historic sites, and the rich heritage that has shaped the county into what it is today.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Rice County, Minnesota.

  • 1851 - Rice County is established as one of the original nine counties of Minnesota.
  • 1853 - The town of Faribault is founded, becoming the first county seat.
  • 1865 - The Northfield Bank is established, leading to the growth of the city of Northfield.
  • 1871 - Rice County experiences a devastating grasshopper plague, causing significant crop damage.
  • 1877 - The construction of the Stillwater and Winona Railroad begins, connecting Rice County to other parts of the state.
  • 1895 - The Rice County Courthouse is built, becoming a symbol of civic pride and architectural beauty.
  • 1923 - Carleton College, a renowned liberal arts institution, moves to Northfield.
  • 1935 - The creation of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault promotes accessibility to education for the deaf community.
  • 1969 - The community experiences severe flooding, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
  • 1999 - The Northfield Historical Society opens the Northfield Historical Society Museum, preserving the rich history of the county.
  • 2002 - The Faribault Woolen Mill is reopened, reinvigorating the local textile industry.