Windom, Minnesota

Windom is a city in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,798 at the 2020 census.[3] It is the county seat of Cottonwood County.[4]

Downtown Windom MN.JPG
Location of Windom within Cottonwood County, Minnesota
Location of Windom
within Cottonwood County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 43°52′25″N 95°07′13″W / 43.87361°N 95.12028°W / 43.87361; -95.12028Coordinates: 43°52′25″N 95°07′13″W / 43.87361°N 95.12028°W / 43.87361; -95.12028
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyCottonwood
PlattedJune 20, 1871
IncorporatedApril 15, 1875
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
Area
 • Total4.26 sq mi (11.03 km2)
 • Land4.09 sq mi (10.61 km2)
 • Water0.16 sq mi (0.42 km2)
Elevation1,358 ft (414 m)
Population
 • Total4,798
 • Density1,171.67/sq mi (452.38/km2)
Time zoneUTC–6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
56101
FIPS code27-70798
GNIS feature ID2397339[2]
Websitehttps://windom-mn.com/

Windom is a small farming town. It also has many parks including one with a disc golf course. The Des Moines River flows through Windom and some people canoe there.

History

The city was named for William Windom, who was a United States Senator from Minnesota from 1881–1883, and was United States Secretary of the Treasury under presidents James Garfield, Chester Arthur and Benjamin Harrison.[5]

Geography

Windom is located at 43°51′59″N 95°07′01″W / 43.86639°N 95.11694°W / 43.86639; -95.11694 (43.866346, -95.116937).[6] It is 1,362 feet (415 m) above sea level. The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.0 km²). 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (3.8%) is water.[1]

Politics

Windom is located in Minnesota's 7th congressional district, represented by Michelle Fischbach, a Republican. At the state level, Windom is located in Senate District 21, represented by Republican Bill Weber, and in House District 21B, represented by Republican Marj Fogelman.

Transportation

U.S. Highway 71, Minnesota Highway 60, and Minnesota Highway 62 are three of the main routes in the city.

Industry

Windom is home to one of 8 Toro manufacturing facilities.[7] It is also the home to Big Game Treestands.[8]

Communications

The local paper is the Cottonwood County Citizen.[1] The local radio station is KDOM Radio.[2] Archived 2011-07-13 at the Wayback Machine

Education

Windom is home to three schools: Windom Area Middle/High School, Winfair Elementary School, and Red Rock Ridge ALC. It is also home to two preschools: Busy Bees and Sunshine School.

Windom Area Middle/High School

Windom Area Middle/High School is home to students grade 4-12 due to renovations in 2003.[9] There are roughly 300 students attending the high school (grades 9-12) and 350 attending the middle school (grades 4-10).[9] The school is led by Principal Eric Hanson and Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt.[10]

Extracurriculars

Sports

  • Football home of Top Minnesota recruits Michael Rivera and Tent Bever
  • Volleyball - State Champions in 2008, State Runner up in 2007 2013 section 2A champs
  • Cross Country - Boys and Girls- John Curley and Emily Turner, State Participants, 2010 (800 meter dash winner 7th grade John Turner)
  • Basketball- Boys and Girls Hoops that Like to throw Alley-oops. Stepping stone to Intermural glory.
  • Gymnastics-voted all state academics 12 years running
  • Wrestling- Jeff Stuckenbroker, Nick Kulseth, A.J. Stevens, Drake Borsgard, Joe Fischenich, Billy Hochstein, Sam Fischenich, and Wyatt Stevens have all been state place winners.
  • Golf - State Runner-up in 2008 lead by Jordan Higley.
  • Lacrosse established in 2008 coached by Johnathan Smith who has a 21-46 career record star players have been Sean Mcgire, Phillip Symens, and Nolan Jones.
  • Tennis only all state player in school history Brendon Chester

Arts

Academics

Entertainment

Riverfest

Windom holds an annual summer festival called Riverfest during the second weekend of June. A pageant corresponds to this celebration which crowns a Miss Riverfest, a First Runner-Up, Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality and a Little Miss Riverfest. Other activities in this weekend celebration include: fireworks, Vickie Schendel 5K Walk/Run, tennis tourney, fishing tourney, turtle races, kiddie tractor pull, street dance, grand parade, and many more.

Winter-River-Fest

In February 2011 Windom started a new festival dubbed "Winter-River-Fest." Activities included a chili feed, open fires, dodge ball, snow sculpting, and the Darn Cold Croquet Contest.[11]

Notable natives

Windom, Minnesota Media

References

  • Brown, John A. History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota: Their People, Industries, and Institutions. B.F. Bowen & Co.: Indianapolis, 1916.
  1. 1.0 1.1 "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Windom, Minnesota
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Windom city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Profile for Windom, Minnesota". ePodunk. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
  6. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. Toro Locations
  8. big game treestands
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Windom Area High School, Windom, Minnesota". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  10. "WAHS Staff Listing". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  11. "Outlook bright for Saturday's Winter-River-Fest - News and Sports from Windom, MN and surrounding areas - Windom, MN". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-07-01.

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