Northfield

History

Southern Minnesota was first settled by the indigenous Mdewakanton and Wahpekute Dakota peoples in the late 1700s, after battling with the Ojibwe and being expelled from northern Minnesota. The Wahpekute settled in the Big Woods region, which included most of what is now Northfield and Faribault. The Wahpekute used the Cannon and Straight rivers for easy transportation and game hunting. They engaged in the burgeoning Minnesota fur trade, leading Alexander Faribault to establish a trading post in Wahpekute territory in 1826, which became the town of Faribault in 1855. In 1834, the Wahpekute tribe moved their settlement to Faribault's trading post, leading to a confluence of economic and cultural engagement. In 1822, during a war between the Wahpekute and the Sac and Fox tribes, Wahpekute head chief Shakeska (White Nails) died and was succeeded by his son Tasagi. About 170 Wahpekute people died in conflicts with the Sac and Fox between 1815 and 1825 in southern Minnesota. By this time, the Wahpekute had become economically dependent on white settlers like those at the Faribault trading post, and suffered from the depletion of game in the area. The land the U.S. bought included what is now Northfield. Also in 1851, the two tribes signed the Treaty of Mendota, and were subsequently relocated to the newly created Lower Sioux Agency in Morton. It was founded by white settlers from New England known as "Yankees" as part of westward expansion. The town was an early agricultural center with many wheat and corn farms and supported lumber and flour mills powered by the Cannon River. As the "wheat frontier" moved west, dairy operations and diversified farms replaced wheat-based agriculture. The region has since moved away from dairy and beef operations, and it produces…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of ; is land and is water. The peak elevation is about . The town is roughly centered around the Cannon River and rises to the east and west from it. Interstate 35 is west of Northfield. Minnesota State Highways 3, 19, and 246 are three of Northfield's main routes.

Race & ethnicity