Litchfield grows from railroad connection

Railroad altered Litchfi eld’s trajectory as a city

BY JULIANA THILL

Litchfi eld has seen its share of changes during the past 150 years, from its founding fathers staking claims along new railroad tracks to a fl ourishing city that is home to more than 6,000 residents and prospering businesses.

The city, which early on was named Ripley and later was known as Ness, was eventually surveyed, platted and recorded as Litchfi eld in July 1869.

The city’s name and prosperity is tied in part to one monumental event that was infl uenced by three brothers from England.

These men – Electus Darwin Litchfi eld, Egbert E. Litchfi eld and Edwin Clark Litchfield – helped finance the construction of the railroad across Minnesota, through Meeker County and, of course, the town that now bears their name, Litchfi eld.

This new form of transportation changed the dynamics of Meeker County, which was still in its infancy at the time.

ESTABLISHING MEEKER COUNTY

The seventh Territorial Legislature of Minnesota ordered the organization of Meeker County on Feb. 23, 1856. In March 1856, John Huy and Thomas Skinner had Forest City surveyed and platted.

The area, while inhabited by the Dakota, was still new to white settlers, and it would be two more years before Minnesota would even become a state.

The county was named in honor of Judge Bradley Meeker of St. Anthony, who was one of the fi rst associate justices of the Territory of Minnesota. He served on the Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court, was a charter member of the Minnesota Historical Society, and was one of the fi rst members of the board of regents of the University of Minnesota.

Gov. Willis Gorman appointed Huy, Skinner, D.M. Hanson and Dr. Frederick Ripley as commissioners of Meeker County to complete its organization, with Forest City named as the county seat.

The fi rst county commissioner meeting was set for May 5, 1856, at Skinner’s home in Forest City. However, Ripley died before the first meeting. He froze to death in a blizzard in March 1856 near a lake that now bears his name on the south end of Litchfi eld, Lake Ripley.

For 13 years, Forest City was one of several thriving villages in Meeker County.

It was an exciting time in the county, as pioneers embraced the area as home, established businesses and made plans for their new homeland.

From 1856 to 1869, the trading centers of the county in order of importance were Forest City, Kingston, Greenleaf, Manannah, and Collinwood. They were home to fl our and feed mills that not only served local settlers but a considerable area outside the county, as well, according to “Condensed History Meeker County, “ by Frank B. Lamson.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

A photo from the archives of the Meeker County Historical Society reveals Litchfi eld’s main street circa 1930, including the grandiose Lenhardt Hotel pictured on the corner at left.

ARCHIVE PHOTO

Litchfi eld Central Park circa 1874.

RIPLEY, NESS, THEN LITCHFIELD

Meanwhile, south of Forest City, a group of men — Ole Halverson Ness, Henry Halverson, Ole Halverson Thoen, Amos Nelson Fosen, Nels Hanson, and Colberg and Gunder Olson — settled in Ripley Township in 1856.

Two or three years later, the township’s name was changed from Ripley to Ness, in honor of Ole H. Ness.

Ness Township was beginning to prosper, with John Blackwell teaching the fi rst school in 1858. Also that year, the fi rst religious service was held at the Ole H. Ness home by the Rev. William Frederickson, and Heindrick Halverson built the fi rst house, a log cabin.

In 1861, the fi rst school district was organized, and a school house was built. In addition, Ness Church was organized. By 1862, construction of the first school house began in the summer on the farm of Ole H. Ness. However, it was not completed until after the U.S.-Dakota Confl ict ended. The small town of Ness was growing.

PHOTO BY LYNN DIETZ

One of the fi rst drive-in customers teller Marleen Bolman had at the New Northwestern National Bank was Dr. Harold Wilmot, who wheeled up in his 1925 vintage Model T Ford coupe. The photo ran in the Nov. 28, 1968 edition of the Litchfi eld Independent Review.Throwback photo: Litchfi eld Independent Review Nov. 28, 1968 edition

By the late 1860s, the St. Paul and Pacific Railway (Great Northern) established its right-ofway through Minnesota, including Meeker County. The railway decided to lay tracks south of Forest City and through the town of Ness.

A railroad station was erected and named in honor Electus, Egbert and Edwin Litchfield. They were contractors and heavy stockholders in the railway company at the time. The three men helped fi nance the construction of the railroad through Minnesota, with Electus Darwin being the main contributor.

George B. Waller was the owner of what became the original townsite. He deeded a one-half interest of the selected tract to the railway company and joined the company in platting the portion as the first unit of the county’s present city.

The plat was fi led July 16, 1869, establishing the town of Litchfi eld.

The coming of the railroad brought new opportunities for some and changed the course of history for many.

Thus, the paramount issue on the Nov. 2 election ballot in 1869 was which city should be the county seat. Forest City had served the role for 13 years. Yet, now people were debating whether to keep it in Forest City, or change the county seat to Litchfi eld or Darwin.

The three cities competed for the right, and left the decision to the voters. The total vote of the county was about 900, and Litchfield won by a majority of about 80 votes.

The change of Meeker’s county seat from Forest City to Litchfi eld caused a rapid infl ux of residents and businesses to Litchfi eld. Many Forest City residents put their businesses and homes on skids and had horses haul them to Litchfi eld.

Among the enterprising businesses that contributed to the early growth and development of the village during 1869, included a general merchandise store, hardware store, photo studio, livery, hotel, railway land office, physician, lawyers, flour mill, newspaper, and the U.S. Post Offi ce.

Litchfield was eventually incorporated in 1872, and through the years, the population has grown from 353 residents in 1870 to more than 6,500 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Litchfield has changed a great deal from its early years. Yet, a common thread that was woven in the fabric of this city remains today — a strong sense of community. The residents, businesses and government are appreciative of their past, are committed to the present day, and — like the city’s founding fathers — are looking ahead and making plans for the future.

Sources: “Meeker County Memories,” Independent Review May 1976 - - - Sources: “Meeker County Memories,” Independent Review May 1976

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FILE PHOTO

Interested in the American Civil War? Visit the Meeker County Museum at the Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Litchfi eld. In this photo, members of Litchfi eld’s Frank Daggett Post and Drum Corps stood at attention in front of the G.A.R. Hall on Memorial Day, May 31, 1886, one year after it was built. GAR Hall from 1886

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Litchfi eld High School marching band drumline members perform in a parade during summer of 2021. The Marching Dragons have built a tradition as one of the fi nest high school marching bands in Minnesota.

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