Bigelow

History

Beginnings: The town of Bigelow was the third community to come into existence in Nobles County. The first two were Worthington and Brewster. All three towns appeared on the map in 1871, though Bigelow remained nothing more than that - a spot on a map - until the spring of 1872, when the tracks of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railway reached the site of the present-day town. Throughout the summer of 1872, the site was occupied only by a large tent which furnished shelter for the construction crew. A railroad depot was constructed in September 1872, and Mr. S. O. Morse assumed duties as station agent. He went into partnership with a man named Frothingham, and the two established a small grocery store in the depot. This was the only business established in 1872. Source of name: Even before railroad tracks had reached present-day Bigelow, the town's future name had been decided. It was named after Charles H. Bigelow. He was also a director of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railway, and the board decided to flatter him by naming a new town after him. Bigelow Township was also named after Mr. Bigelow. There is no record of Charles Bigelow visiting the town that bears his name, though it is likely he passed through on the railroad that he helped to create. Incorporation: The townsite was platted and a dedication was made on September 24, 1873. Two new business came to town in 1873. S. D. Tinnes opened a general merchandise store and John DeBoos and John Colvin opened a hardware store. A grain dealer, a lumber yard, and a coal business were established in 1874. A school house was also built in that year and began that fall with 24 students. The village grew slowly. The 1880 census gave Bigelow a population of only 28. (One must assume that many of the 24…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. The town of Bigelow is located in southcentral Nobles County in section 31 of Bigelow Township. The southern corporate limit of the town is defined by the Iowa border. Main highway is: * Minnesota State Highway 60 Other important transportation: *Union Pacific Railroad

Most-observed species

• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  609
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  547
• Common Grackle

  Quiscalus quiscula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  455
• Barn Swallow

  Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  445
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  436
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  360
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  331
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  324

Most recent

• M 2.7 — 2021-06-30
  4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa