Big Stone County, Minnesota is located in the west-central part of the state and is bordered by Traverse County to the north, Lac qui Parle County to the east, South Dakota to the south, and Chippewa County to the west. The county covers an area of approximately 556 square miles with a population of approximately 5,000 people.
The landscape of Big Stone County is mostly flat with some rolling hills in its northern areas. The county’s terrain is mainly covered by prairies and grasslands with patches of deciduous forests scattered throughout. The highest point in Big Stone County is located at 935 feet above sea level near its northern border with Traverse County.
The two main rivers that flow through Big Stone County are the Minnesota River and its tributary, the Lac qui Parle River. These rivers provide many recreational activities such as canoeing, kayaking and fishing for residents and visitors alike. In addition to these two rivers, there are several small lakes throughout the county including Lake Traverse which lies within its northern border with Traverse County.
Big Stone County also has several parks and recreational areas such as Big Stone Lake State Park which offers camping sites, trails for hiking or biking, fishing spots and boat ramps for access to Lake Traverse. Furthermore, nearby cities such as Ortonville have numerous outdoor activities including golf courses or water parks which draw many visitors from neighboring counties each year.
Overall, Big Stone County has a diverse landscape ranging from prairies and grasslands to rolling hills combined with recreational opportunities provided by its many rivers and lakes making it an ideal place for outdoor activities or leisurely walks in nature’s beauty.
Country seat and other main cities of Big Stone County, Minnesota
Big Stone County, Minnesota is the home of many small towns and cities. The county seat is located in the city of Ortonville, which serves as the administrative center for the county. Ortonville is a small but vibrant town with a population of about 1,500 people. It is known for its historic buildings and beautiful parks that provide plenty of outdoor activities for visitors and residents alike.
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, other main cities in Big Stone County are Graceville and Beardsley. Graceville is a small town with a population of just over 500 people located on the banks of the Minnesota River. It has become an ideal destination for those looking to get away from it all while still being close to modern amenities such as shopping centers or restaurants. Beardsley is located just north of Ortonville and has a population around 300 people. It offers visitors a quiet atmosphere with plenty of opportunities to explore nature in its nearby parks or take part in recreational activities such as fishing or boating on one of the many lakes situated in Big Stone County.
In addition to these three major cities, Big Stone County also boasts several smaller towns such as Odessa, Clinton, Odessa Township, Browns Valley and numerous unincorporated communities scattered throughout the county’s vast landscape. All these towns have their own unique character that make them great places to visit or live in Michigan.
History of Big Stone County, Minnesota
Big Stone County, Minnesota is located in the state’s southwestern corner and is home to many small towns and cities. The county was established in 1862 by an act of the Minnesota Legislature and was named after the large stone outcroppings that are found throughout the area. The first settlers arrived in Big Stone County in 1856, primarily from Germany, Norway, and Sweden. By 1870, nearly all of the county’s population – just over 1,000 people – was made up of these European immigrants.
The primary industries for Big Stone County were farming and lumbering. During the late 19th century, lumber mills were set up along the various rivers that flow through the county and provided much needed jobs for many local residents. Farming also became a major industry with many farmers growing wheat as their main crop.
In addition to farming and lumbering, mining also played a role in shaping Big Stone County’s history. During the early 20th century, numerous coal mines were established throughout the area providing much needed jobs for many local residents. Unfortunately, these mines eventually closed down during World War II due to a lack of demand for coal at that time.
Today, Big Stone County has a diverse economy with agriculture still playing a major role but now supplemented by tourism as well as light manufacturing and services such as healthcare and education. The population of Big Stone County is just over 6,000 people with Ortonville being its largest city followed by Graceville and Beardsley which are both located on the banks of the Minnesota River.
Economy of Big Stone County, Minnesota
Big Stone County, Minnesota is located in the state’s southwestern corner and is home to many small towns and cities. The county was established in 1862 by an act of the Minnesota Legislature and was named after the large stone outcroppings that are found throughout the area. The primary industries for Big Stone County are farming, lumbering, mining, tourism, light manufacturing and services such as healthcare and education.
Agriculture has been a major part of Big Stone County’s economy since its establishment in 1862. Wheat is still the main crop grown in the county but other crops such as corn, soybeans, hay and alfalfa are also grown. Dairy farming is also a major industry with many local farmers producing milk and cheese for sale in local markets.
Lumbering has also played an important role in Big Stone County’s history with numerous mills being set up along its various rivers during the late 19th century providing much needed jobs for many local residents. Today, these mills have closed down but logging is still an important industry with timber being harvested from local forests for use in paper production and construction materials.
Mining also had a significant impact on Big Stone County’s economy during the early 20th century with numerous coal mines providing jobs for many local residents. Unfortunately these mines closed down during World War II due to a lack of demand for coal at that time but today there are still some active mining operations in the area extracting gravel, clay and sandstone which are used locally or transported elsewhere in the state for various construction projects.
Tourism has become increasingly important to Big Stone County’s economy over recent decades with people visiting to take advantage of its natural beauty or explore its unique history. In addition to this, light manufacturing has become an important industry with several small businesses operating within the county producing items such as wood furniture or metal products while services like healthcare and education have also added to Big Stone County’s economic diversity over recent years.
