Dawson
City
Nickname(s): 
Gnometown USA, Dodge
Motto: 
"The Small City With The Bright Future"[1]
Location of Dawson, Minnesota
Location of Dawson, Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°55′44″N 96°03′01″W / 44.92889°N 96.05028°W / 44.92889; -96.05028
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyLac qui Parle
Area
[2]
 • Total1.44 sq mi (3.72 km2)
 • Land1.44 sq mi (3.72 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[3]
1,040 ft (320 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,466
 • Density1,019.47/sq mi (393.63/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code320
FIPS code27-14968[4]
GNIS feature ID2394469[3]
Websitedawsonmn.com

Dawson is a city in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,466 at the 2020 census.[5]

History

Dawson was platted in 1884.[6] The city was named for William Dawson, a former mayor of St. Paul, and one of three partners in the Dawson Townsite Company.[7] A post office has been in operation at Dawson since 1884.[8] The city was incorporated in 1885.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.48 square miles (3.83 km2), all land.[9] The West Branch of the Lac qui Parle River flows through the city.[10] U.S. Route 212 serves as a main route in the city. The BNSF Railway runs through the city.[11]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1890418—
1900962130.1%
19101,31837.0%
19201,51114.6%
19301,386−8.3%
19401,64618.8%
19501,83411.4%
19601,766−3.7%
19701,699−3.8%
19801,90111.9%
19901,626−14.5%
20001,539−5.4%
20101,5400.1%
20201,466−4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
2020 Census[5]

2010 census

As of the census[13] of 2010, there were 1,540 people, 682 households, and 412 families living in the city. The population density was 1,040.5 inhabitants per square mile (401.7/km2). There were 768 housing units at an average density of 518.9 per square mile (200.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 682 households, of which 23.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.6% were non-families. 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age in the city was 47.8 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.5% were from 25 to 44; 28% were from 45 to 64; and 25.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,539 people, 677 households, and 398 families living in the city. The population density was 1,043.4 inhabitants per square mile (402.9/km2). There were 756 housing units at an average density of 512.6 per square mile (197.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.25% White, 0.19% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.32% Asian, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.

There were 677 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 3.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 29.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,442, and the median income for a family was $46,484. Males had a median income of $30,493 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,084. About 3.3% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Presidential election results 1960–2020
Precinct General Election Results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 51.8% 401 46.8% 363 1.4% 11
2016 49.9% 376 44.0% 332 6.1% 46
2012 41.4% 318 57.3% 440 1.3% 10
2008 41.0% 326 56.6% 450 2.4% 19
2004 41.3% 366 57.6% 510 1.1% 10
2000 38.2% 334 55.4% 484 6.4% 56
1996 31.6% 290 56.2% 516 12.2% 112
1992 32.9% 319 45.0% 437 22.1% 215
1988 45.0% 399 55.0% 487 0.0% 0
1984 54.4% 519 45.6% 435 0.0% 0
1980 51.5% 511 42.4% 421 6.1% 61
1976 42.4% 552 55.8% 726 1.8% 24
1972 54.0% 524 44.1% 428 1.9% 19
1968 52.3% 463 45.8% 406 1.9% 17
1964 39.8% 366 60.2% 553 0.0% 0
1960 61.0% 550 39.0% 352 0.0% 0

Notable people

A women holds a microphone in front of a finish line
Carrie Tollefson

Notable places

A two-story building made of red masonry.
Dawson Bank Museum
A large building made of bricks
Armory

Dawson is home to the Dawson Bank Museum, a Carnegie Library building (now a law office), and an armory building (now a public library and apartments). All three of these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[18]

A Carnegie Library made of brown bricks
Carnegie Library

In culture

Town culture

Gnomes

An oil painting of Theodore Christianson staring to the left
Theodore Christianson, Governor of Minnesota and first Gnome of Dawson

Dawson, also known as Gnometown USA, commemorates its notable citizens by making them into 3-foot tall gnomes that are placed either in the Dawson Public Library or Gnome Park. The gnomes are revealed to the community during Riverfest, an annual celebration for the town. Each gnome gets its own legend. (found here) New gnomes have been added every year since 1989. There are more than 40 gnomes in Gnome Park[20] with more being added every year.

Gnomes of Dawson

Year Name of Gnome(s)/Troll Person/People/Thing Represented Ref.
1989 Governor Ted Theodore Christianson [20]
1990 Postmaster Bertha Bertha Swenson
1991 Scouter T.O. T.O. Vaala
1992 Doc Bill Dr. Vilhelm Johnson
1993 The Maestro John Solie
1994 Morrie and Kay Morris and Kathryn Benson
1995 Areta Areta Schmoker Wold
1996 Farmer Gerry Gerald Michaelson
1997 Baker Elder Elder Molstad
1998 Rudy Rudy Prestholdt
1999 Doc Phil and Jean Dr. Phil and Jean Maus
2000 The Merchant and the Miller Harland and Gladys Thoen
2001 Principal Vern Vernon Stevens
2002 Coach Steve and Irene Steve and Irene Ruzich
2003 Joe and Mary Joe and Mary Givens
2004 Del the Gnometographer Delbert Thielke
2005 The Reverend Reverend G.S. Froiland
2006 Superintendent Bob Robert Clay
2007 Harris and Eloise Harris and Eloise Ronning
2008 The Gnometown Fire Department The Dawson Fire Department
2009 The Founders of Dawson Mills Glen Blomquist, Art Lee, John C. Hanson, and Bert Dahl
2010 Mayor Richard Richard Pollei
2011 Al Allan Schacherer
2012 Alta, Ruth, and Shar Alta Roesch, Ruth Solem, and Sharilyn Bates
2013 HUGs and TUGs The EMTs and First Responders
2014 Bob and Marlene Bob and Marlene Lee
2015 Ole Norm Olson
2016 Doc Ralph Dr. Ralph Gerbig
2017 Virg Virgil Thompson
2018 Charlie Charlie Prestholdt
2019 Dennis and Ruby Dennis and Ruby Anderson
2020 Covidius Putrid Evilson the 19th (Triumph over the Troll)* The way the community came together and overcame the COVID-19 pandemic
2021
2022 Loren Loren Femrite
2023 Deb Deb Breberg
*denotes troll

References

  1. ↑ "City of Dawson Minnesota". City of Dawson Minnesota. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  2. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  3. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Dawson, Minnesota
  4. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. 1 2 "2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Warren Upham (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 289.
  7. ↑ History, The First 100 Years, 1884-1984, p.3.
  8. ↑ "Lac qui Parle County". Jim Forte Postal History. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  10. ↑ Minnesota Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Me.: DeLorme. 1994. p. 36. ISBN 0-89933-222-6.
  11. ↑ Minnesota Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations (September 2015). "Minnesota Freight Railroad Map" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 30, 2009. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  12. ↑ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  13. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Election Results". Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  15. ↑ "CHRISTIANSON, Theodore, (1883 - 1948)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  16. ↑ History, the First 100 Years, 1884-1984
  17. ↑ Minnesota State Law Library-Theodore Christianson Archived January 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ "NPS.gov Homepage (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Sweet Land Filming Locations" IMDB
  20. 1 2 "GNOMETOWN, USA". GNOMETOWN, USA. Retrieved May 3, 2021.


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