Brown County, Minnesota

2011 Centennial of The Church of St. Mary Adams Park Arbeiter Hall Asle Sorbel's Ride Barricading New Ulm Boesch, Hummel, and Maltzahn Block Brown County Brown County Bank Brown County Veterans Memorial Buenger Store Chief Sleepy Eyes City Meat Market Clear Lake School Cobden Colonel Wilhelm Pfaender Cottonwood Twp. Evangelical Church and Cemetery Crone Store Dacotah House Dakota Reservation and the Leavenworth Road Defenders State Monument Doughboy Monument Erd Building Essig, Minnesota Evan Father Valentine Sommereisen Flandrau's Charge Forster Building Frederick Forster Building Gänseviertel (Goosetown) German–Bohemian Immigrants Monument Golden Gate Golden Gate Mill Stones Grand Hotel Guardians of the Past Hanska Harkin Store Hermann Monument Herman’s Footprint Iberia In Recognition of a Distinguished Career as a Player and Coach In Recognition of a Minnesota Coaching Record Jackson Crossing Jacob Nix Platz John Armstrong John Lind Home Jonathan Brown and the Shetek Trail Joseph A. Harman Junior Pioneers of New Ulm and Vicinity Junior Pioneers Tablet Kiesling House Lake Hanska Lake Hanska Pioneer / Lake Hanska County Park Leavenworth Leavenworth Rescue Expedition Lest We Forget Milford State Monument New Ulm New Ulm's Glockenspiel Norwegian Stabbur Omsrud Thordson – Torgrimson Log Cabin Pioneer Founders of New Ulm Pioneer Monument Ravine Ambush Roebbecke Mill Searles Somsen Hitching Post Springfield, Minnesota Taken by Surprise The Attack on the Brown Family The Evacuation of New Ulm The George Kuhlman House The Milford Reservation Line The Pioneers of Brown County Monument The Wallachei Turner Hall Turnverein Founding Site Two Battles of New Ulm U.S. - Dakota War Memorial U.S. Post Office Upper Minnesota River Transportation Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Waraju Distillery World War Memorial
Brown County, Minnesota has a rich history that dates back to the late 1800s. The area was first inhabited by the Dakota Sioux people, who relied on the Minnesota River for hunting, fishing, and transportation. However, this changed with the arrival of European settlers in the mid-19th century. These settlers were primarily German and Irish immigrants, who were attracted to the fertile lands and opportunities for farming.

In 1857, Brown County was officially established, named after Joseph Renshaw Brown, a politician and early settler in the region. The county quickly grew in population, and by 1860, the town of New Ulm was founded as the county seat. New Ulm became an important center for trade and commerce in the region, and attracted more settlers who sought agricultural opportunities.

The late 19th century brought significant challenges for Brown County. In 1862, the region experienced the Dakota War, a conflict between the Dakota Sioux and Euro-American settlers. New Ulm was heavily affected by the war, with several attacks on the town and a significant loss of life. However, the town and county persevered, and efforts were made to rebuild and reconcile with the Dakota Sioux people.

Throughout the 20th century, Brown County continued to flourish as an agricultural region. The county saw advancements in farming technology, leading to increased productivity. Additionally, the construction of highways and railroads facilitated transportation and trade, further boosting the local economy. Today, Brown County remains an important hub for agriculture in Minnesota, while also embracing its cultural heritage and historical significance.
Brief timeline of the history of Brown County, Minnesota:

  • 1853 - Brown County is established.
  • 1857 - The city of New Ulm is founded.
  • 1862 - The Dakota War of 1862 occurs, leading to the Battle of New Ulm, where settlers defend the city against Dakota warriors.
  • 1873 - The first railroad reaches New Ulm, spurring economic growth in the area.
  • 1881 - The Brown County Historical Society is formed to preserve the region's history.
  • 1917-1918 - The United States enters World War I, and many residents of Brown County serve in the military.
  • 1930s - The Great Depression brings economic hardships to the county, but federal programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) provide employment opportunities.
  • 1960 - The population of Brown County reaches its peak at around 23,000 residents.
  • 1970s - Brown County begins facing economic challenges as industries decline, and many residents move to larger cities.
  • 1987 - The Hermann Monument, a symbol of New Ulm's German heritage, is completed and becomes a popular tourist attraction.
  • 2002 - The Brown County Historical Society opens the Brown County Historical Society Museum in New Ulm.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Brown County, Minnesota.

Audiobooks about the history of Minnesota.