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
About Rice County
Rice County Timeline
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.
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.
Rice County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history 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.