National Register Listing

Mayo, Dr. William J., House

a.k.a. Mayo Foundation House

701 4th St., SW, Rochester, MN
Local significance of the building:
Health/medicine; Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture houses residential buildings
Audiobooks about the history of Minnesota.
The first Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives, which would later become the Big Ten Conference, was held in Minneapolis in 1895.
Minnesota random facts
Olmsted County, Minnesota has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was once inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Dakota Sioux and Ojibwe, who used the land for hunting and gathering. European settlers began arriving in the 1850s, drawn by the fertile soil and opportunities for farming.

The county was officially established on February 20, 1855, named after David Olmsted, a member of the Minnesota Territorial Legislature. The first county seat was located in Rochester, which quickly grew into a thriving city. In the late 1800s, renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted was consulted to design the city's parks and green spaces, leaving a lasting influence on the county's aesthetics.

Olmsted County experienced significant growth and development throughout the 20th century. The Mayo Clinic, one of the world's leading medical institutions, was established in Rochester in 1889. The organization's presence has had a profound impact on the county's economy, healthcare, and research industries. Today, the Mayo Clinic is the largest employer in Olmsted County.

In recent years, Olmsted County has continued to evolve and diversify. The county is known for its strong education system, with multiple colleges and universities offering a range of academic programs. It also boasts a thriving arts and cultural scene, with theaters, galleries, and museums attracting visitors from near and far. Olmsted County remains a vibrant and growing community, continually shaping its future while acknowledging its historical roots.

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

  • 1855 – Olmsted County is officially organized and named after David Olmsted, a member of the first Minnesota Territorial Legislature.
  • 1856 – The city of Rochester is founded by George Head and his wife, Sarah.
  • 1863 – The Mayo Clinic is established by Dr. William W. Mayo and his two sons, Dr. William J. Mayo and Dr. Charles H. Mayo.
  • 1873 – The Rochester State Hospital (later renamed the Rochester State Hospital for the Insane and now known as the Minnesota Security Hospital) is opened.
  • 1900 – The Olmsted County Courthouse, designed by local architect Franklin Ellerbe, is completed.
  • 1916 – Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial is dedicated to honor soldiers from Olmsted County who served in World War I.
  • 1950 – IBM establishes a facility in Rochester, marking the beginning of the city's transformation into a major center for healthcare technology.
  • 1997 – The Mayo Civic Center, a multi-purpose convention center, is opened in downtown Rochester.
  • 2013 – Destination Medical Center (DMC) is approved, aiming to position Rochester as a global destination for medical care and innovation.