La Crescent, Minnesota

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La Crescent
City
Nickname(s): 
"Apple Capital of Minnesota"
Location of La Crescent within Houston and Winona Counties in the state of Minnesota
Location of La Crescent
within Houston and Winona Counties
in the state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 43°49′36″N 91°18′18″W / 43.82667°N 91.30500°W / 43.82667; -91.30500Coordinates: 43°49′36″N 91°18′18″W / 43.82667°N 91.30500°W / 43.82667; -91.30500
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountiesHouston, Winona
Government
 • TypeMayor – Council
 • MayorMike Poellinger
Area
[1]
 • Total3.82 sq mi (9.89 km2)
 • Land3.32 sq mi (8.60 km2)
 • Water0.50 sq mi (1.29 km2)
Elevation
679 ft (207 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,276
 • Density1,513.85/sq mi (584.43/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
55947
Area code(s)507
FIPS code27-33866[2]
GNIS feature ID0646292[3]
WebsiteCity of La Crescent

La Crescent is a city in Houston and Winona counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 4,830 at the 2010 census.[5]

La Crescent is located in the northeast portion of Houston County;[6][7] the northern edge of the city falls into Winona County. The city is known as the "Apple Capital of Minnesota" because John S. Harris planted the first apple trees in the midwest here, resulting in many orchards in the present-day city. It is recognized as a 'Tree City' by the Arbor Day Foundation,[8] and a 'Minnesota GreenStep City' by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.[9]

History[]

Lying on the west bank of the Mississippi River, the city is surrounded by bluffs with views of the river and abundant wildlife. Humans have inhabited this area for thousands of years. The most recent inhabitants before the arrival of white settlers were the Dakota people, a branch of the Sioux, and the Ho-Chunk, or Winnebago.

Following the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, Nathan Boone, youngest son of Daniel Boone was among the early surveyors of this area. The various Indian tribes who had lived here were forced out and relocated in the 1840s to accommodate white settlement.

La Crescent was founded in 1851 by Peter and Emma Cameron, who called it "Camerons". The Camerons were two of the town's most colorful characters; he tried to dig a canal to change the flow of the Mississippi River so it would flow closer to La Crescent and bypass La Crosse, Wisconsin across the river. He died 10 weeks before its scheduled completion in 1857, and the canal was never finished, although the canal can still be seen in aerial photographs of the city.[10] The Presbyterian missionary Sheldon Jackson lived in La Crescent prior to 1872, when he moved westward to Denver and later Alaska.

The second name of La Crescent was "Manton", named by William and Harvey Gillett, after they cleared the downtown area for settlement for Peter Cameron. In quick succession, the name of the town was changed again by a somewhat unscrupulous land speculation venture, the Kentucky Land Company. They wanted a more romantic-sounding name for the town to attract settlers and came up with "La Crescent", after the bend or "crescent" shape of the Mississippi River around the town. La Crescent incorporated in 1857.

John S. Harris arrived in La Crescent in 1856 and over a number of years gave the town its identity of "Apple Capital of Minnesota", a title that the city copyrighted in 2002. Despite the belief of "99 out of 100 people that apples could not grow in Minnesota", Harris planted the area's first apple trees in 1857, experimenting until he grew trees hardy enough to withstand the severe Minnesota winters. He planted thousands of apple trees and hundreds of varieties, a full half of which he said were total failures. Harris became known as "Father of the Orchardists" in Minnesota, and was a founding member of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. Since 1948 La Crescent has celebrated this apple heritage annually with a weekend festival known as Applefest.

La Crescent has entertained a number of businesses throughout its history, but the one that has endured the longest is the apple industry. Around the 1940s La Crescent had about 40 small orchards in and around the city. Although the number of orchards has dwindled to less than a dozen, the area is about the same, as the orchards have been expanded in the bluffs west of the city. La Crescent grows gourmet apple varieties not found in most other places. Most of its apples are sold in Minnesota; the rest are shipped to surrounding states and Canada. Honey and other organic products are sold in La Crescent as well as apples. The area hosts outdoor activities including biking, hiking, fishing, bird watching, skiing, snowmobiling, and fourwheeling.

Geography[]

La Crescent MN swing bridge opened to river traffic

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.47 square miles (8.99 km2); 2.94 square miles (7.61 km2) is land and 0.53 square miles (1.37 km2) is water.[11]

La Crescent sits three miles southwest across the Mississippi River from Onalaska, Wisconsin and west of the northern part of La Crosse. Winona, Minnesota is 21 miles to the northwest of La Crescent. It is the largest city in Houston County and the second largest in Winona County.

Bluffs[]

La Crescent is known for having more bluffs than most Minnesota cities. It lies on the side of a large bluff, with other large hills within the city. Since La Crescent is below the normal level of the rest of the area, the bluffside provides some protection from winds.

Lake[]

La Crescent sits next to Blue Lake, which the US Fish and Wildlife Service lists as a high quality wetland, due to its diverse species,[12] with year-round fishing. Most visible around the lake are migratory bird species such as Wood Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Least and American Bitterns, Common Morrhends, Night Herons, Sandhill Cranes, and Tundra Swans.[13] In the early spring, the water appears clear, before natural aquatic vegetation grows over.[citation needed]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1870380—
1880326−14.2%
1910372—
19203730.3%
193052039.4%
194081556.7%
19501,22950.8%
19602,624113.5%
19703,29625.6%
19803,67411.5%
19904,31117.3%
20004,92314.2%
20104,830−1.9%
20205,2769.2%
US Decennial Census

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 United States Census,[14] there were 4,830 people, 2,012 households, and 1,370 families in the city. The population density was 1,642.9 inhabitants per square mile (634.3/km2). There were 2,126 housing units at an average density of 723.1 per square mile (279.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.5% White, 0.8% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 2,012 households, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.9% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 42.8 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.7% were from 25 to 44; 30.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[2] there were 4,923 people, 1,940 households, and 1,367 families in the city. The population density was 1,634.4 people per square mile (631.5/km2). There were 2,014 housing units at an average density of 668.6 per square mile (258.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.60% White, 0.43% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 1,940 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.1% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.

The city population contained 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% above age 64. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females over age 17, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,433, and the median income for a family was $54,708. Males had a median income of $40,316 versus $24,308 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,361. About 0.8% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.9% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those above age 64.

Education[]

The La Crescent–Hokah Public Schools is the city's largest public school district, and Kevin Cardille is superintendent (May 2020). It includes La Crescent–Hokah Elementary School and La Crescent–Hokah Secondary School. The other public school district, La Crescent Montessori Academy & STEM school, serves grades pre-k-12th grade under Director Melissa Johnson. Other educational opportunities include the private school Crucifixion Catholic Elementary.[15] The La Crescent Public Library serves the local community.[16]

Notable people[]

Infrastructure[]

Transportation[]

U.S. Highways 14 and 61; and Minnesota State Highway 16 serve as main routes in the community. The northern edge of La Crescent is skirted by Interstate 90 and I-90 Mississippi River Bridge. The Great River Road, a collection of state and local roads that follow the course of the Mississippi River, passes through La Crescent via US 61 and a short piece of MN 16.

A commuter bus service to La Crosse is operated by La Crosse MTU and has 13 trips daily through La Crescent.

A pedestrian pathway known as the Wagon Wheel Trail connects La Crescent and most notably Mississippi River Trail to La Crosse and several trails in the Wisconsin bike trail system, notably the Great River Trail.

References[]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 25 October 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  4. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. US Census Bureau. Retrieved 27 April 2011.[dead link]
  6. ^ Houstion County, Minnesota (Google Maps, accessed 25 May 2020)
  7. ^ La Crescent, Minnesota (Google Maps, accessed 25 May 2020)
  8. ^ "La Crescent as Tree City USA" (PDF). Arbor Day Foundation. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Minnesota GreenStep Cities". Minnesota GreenStep Cities. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  10. ^ La Crescent - Early History (La Crescent Area Historical Society; accessed 25 May 2020)
  11. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  12. ^ La Crescent Recreation and Natural Systems, pp. 2-16, 2-19 (accessed 25 May 2020)
  13. ^ "La Crescent Rec and Natural Systems VGOS" (PDF). City of La Crescent.
  14. ^ "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  15. ^ Crucifixion Church and School (accessed 25 May 2020)
  16. ^ La Crescent Public Library (accessed 25 May 2020)

External links[]

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