Rochester History, Minnesota

During its early years many historical tribes used to reside in the land on which today the city of Rochester is situated. Some of the Native American tribes were Ojibwa, Winnebago, and Sioux. It was the year 1851 when this land went under the control of Minnesota Territory after the consent of Sioux tribe and its leaders - the treaties of Mendota and Traverse des Sioux were signed successfully. In 1853 these different treaties were successfully concluded by the famous politician Michael Fedor and hence the land was open for settlement.

Actually it was in 1854 when the foundation of the tiny town of Rochester was laid by George Head. The area which he tagged as the Rochester Town, today acts as the business district for the city of Rochester. George Head moved towards Waukesha, Wisconsin from the city of Rochester, New York for settlement and finally moved to the western side of Minnesota.

It was on his arrival when he named the tiny village which was located on the famous South Fork of Zumbro River with the same name as that of his home town which was part of New York. Thus the name of this city became Rochester. By the year 1856 the population of the city of Rochester was around 50 inhabitants and by the year 1858 it jumped to 1500 inhabitants. The famous Olmstead County was created in the year 1855 and in the year 1857 the city of Rochester was marked as the seat of this newly created county.

In the 1860s railroad transport entered the city of Rochester and this was the time when the economical condition started to strengthen. It was this railroad project that brought in huge number of business opportunities for the residents of the city. Later on, in 1863 William W. Mayo entered the city of Rochester to treat the patients of the recently happened fierce Civil War. He became famous, as during those days he was amongst the only few doctors in Rochester.