Pipestone, Minnesota

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Pipestone, Minnesota
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

---

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Pipestone, Minnesota


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Minnesota
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Pipestone

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 10.2
area_land_km2 = 10.2
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 3.9
area_land_sq_mi = 3.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 4280
population_density_km2 = 421.2
population_density_sq_mi = 1090.8

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 529
elevation_ft = 1736
latd = 43 |latm = 59 |lats = 52 |latNS = N
longd = 96 |longm = 19 |longs = 2 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 56164
area_code = 507
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 27-51388GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0649527GR|3
website = [http://www.pipestoneminnesota.com/ www.pipestoneminnesota.com]
footnotes =

Pipestone is a city in Pipestone County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,280 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pipestone CountyGR|6. The city is also the site of the Pipestone National Monument.

Local history

Pipestone is located in extreme southwestern Minnesota. It is a leader in wind technology with nearly 800 wind generator towers located nearby on one of the area's top recourses.

Less than a mile north of the city of Pipestone lies a pipestone quarry, described in Native American legends as a square-cut jewel lying upon folds of shimmering green velvet. This is an accurate depiction of the red quartzite almost hidden by the vast prairie grasses. Designated a national monument by the United States in 1937, the quarry is as rich in Native American history as it is in the red stone for which it is named.

Although he never visited the site, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was inspired to write of the area in his well known poem, "Song of Hiawatha." The Song of Hiawatha Pageant spins out Henry Longfellow's vision of wade and logan, the Native American Indians, and has played in Pipestone for 60 years. The pageant is held at a small quarry lake on a natural amphitheater with a cast of 200 principals, chieftains, warriors, and dancers in their colorful costumes.

The city of Pipestone was founded in 1876 by Charles Bennett and Daniel Sweet. Bennett was intrigued by the prospect of visiting the site he had read about in Longfellow's poem. Despite blizzards, prairie fires, droughts and grasshoppers, the young village survived. In 1879, 22 businesses were operating in Pipestone, and by the following year that number had grown to 53. Pipestone was incorporated as a village in 1881 and for the next 20 years was a real "boom town." By 1890, Pipestone had train service on four different rail lines and had become a travel and business center hub for southwestern Minnesota.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.2 km²), all of it land.

U.S. Route 75 and Minnesota State Highways 23 and 30 are three of the main routes in the city.

Education

Pipestone Area Schools, Independent School District #2689, serves the community of Pipestone and surrounding area, including the towns of Hatfield, Woodstock, Jasper and Holland. Pipestone Area High School, a new convert|197000|sqft|m2|sing=on middle/high school/district office, was opened in January 2003 at the cost of 22.3 million dollars. Southwest Minnesota Christian High School and Edgerton Christian Elementary School are located in nearby Edgerton, in the southern portion of Pipestone County, and are an alternative to public education. Minnesota West Community & Technical College, based in Pipestone, offers post-secondary classes.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 4,280 people, 1,900 households, and 1,138 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,090.8 people per square mile (421.6/km²). There were 2,097 housing units at an average density of 534.4/sq mi (206.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.23% White, 0.28% African American, 2.94% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.

There were 1,900 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,412, and the median income for a family was $40,194. Males had a median income of $28,180 versus $21,349 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,253. About 8.3% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Places of interest

The Calumet Inn in downtown Pipestone is a restored historical building from 1888. It still operates as a functioning hotel. It features turn-of-the-century (19th to 20th) antiques and interesting architecture. The building was constructed using quartzite both structurally and in the facade. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Song of Hiawatha Pageant spins out Henry Longfellow's vision of the Native American Indian, and has played in Pipestone for nearly 60 years. The pageant is held at a small quarry lake on a natural amphitheater with a cast of 200 principals, chieftains, warriors, and dancers in their colorful costumes. Seating is for 1,500. [http://www.pipestoneminnesota.com/pageant/index.htm]

American Indians have used the pipestone quarries located at the Pipestone National Monument for centuries to obtain materials for pipe making, a practice that continues today. convert|282|acre|km2 - visitor and cultural center, beautiful 3/4 mile walking trail along Pipestone Creek and Winnewissa Falls set in the tallgrass prairie. Pipestone Indian Shrine Association provides visitors with a wonderful selection of American Indian art and craft items.

References

External links

* [http://www.pipestoneminnesota.com/ Pipestone, MN -- Official site]
* [http://www.pipestonestar.com/ "Pipestone County Star" newspaper site]
* [http://www.nps.gov/pipe/ Pipestone National Monument website - National Park Service]
* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/pipestone/ Pipestone, Minnesota, a National Park Service "Discover Our Shared Heritage" Travel Itinerary]
* [http://www.mnwest.edu/campuses/pipestone/ Minnesota West Community & Technical College site - Pipestone campus]