Pipestone, Minnesota

Pipestone, Minnesota
City
Downtown Pipestone
Motto: "Home of the Red Stone Pipe"
Location of the city of Pipestone within Pipestone County, Minnesota
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Pipestone
Government
• Type	Mayor – Council
• Mayor	Laurie Ness
Area
• Total	4.18 sq mi (10.83 km2)
• Land	4.18 sq mi (10.83 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	1,736 ft (529 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	4,317
• Estimate (2013)	4,157
• Density	1,032.8/sq mi (398.8/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	56164
Area code(s)	507
FIPS code	27-51388
GNIS feature ID	0649527
Website	City of Pipestone

Pipestone is a city in Pipestone County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,317 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat. The city is also the site of the Pipestone National Monument.

History

Pipestone was platted in 1876. Pipestone took its name from Pipestone County. The city was incorporated in 1901.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.18 square miles (10.83 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	222		—
1890	1,232		455.0%
1900	2,536		105.8%
1910	2,475		−2.4%
1920	3,325		34.3%
1930	3,489		4.9%
1940	4,682		34.2%
1950	5,269		12.5%
1960	5,324		1.0%
1970	5,328		0.1%
1980	4,887		−8.3%
1990	4,554		−6.8%
2000	4,280		−6.0%
2010	4,317		0.9%
Est. 2014	4,156		−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,317 people, 1,923 households, and 1,084 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,032.8 inhabitants per square mile (398.8/km²). There were 2,134 housing units at an average density of 510.5 per square mile (197.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.2% White, 0.9% African American, 1.9% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 3.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.2% of the population.

There were 1,923 households of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.6% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% 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 2.86.

The median age in the city was 40.8 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 20.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census 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 per square mile (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.

Economy

In 2006, Suzlon Energy of India began building wind farm blades at its subsidiary Suzlon Rotor Corporation in the town. Among the companies buying the blades is Wind Capital Group which is developing the biggest wind farm in Minnesota. They have closed down.

Ellison meats was founded in 1934 and has been a part of the Pipestone community since the early 1980s and moved to its current facility in 1990. In 2007, Ellison's was acquired by the J^B Group of St Michael, MN. J&B, founded in 1979, is the producer of "No Name" and "Midwest Pride" brand name products.

Arts and culture

Museums and other points of interest

The Calumet Inn

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 county Courthouse, also made of local quartzite stone, was built in 1899. The building is the most stylized of the quartzite buildings. It is rectangular in shape with a 110-ft clock tower topped with a dome and a statue of Lady Justice. It was restored in 1995 and rededicated in 1996. It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

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. 282 acres (1.14 km²) - visitor and cultural center, 3/4 mile walking trail along Pipestone Creek and Winnewissa Falls set in the tallgrass prairie. Pipestone Indian Shrine Association provides visitors with a selection of American Indian art and craft items. The pipestone quarry is 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 prairie grass. It was designated a national monument by the United States in 1937.

Government

Pipestone is located in Minnesota's 7th congressional district, represented by Collin Peterson, a Democrat. At the state level, Pipestone is located in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Bill Weber, and in House District 22A, represented by Republican Joe Schomacker.

Education

Pipestone Area Schools, Independent School District #2689, serves the community of Pipestone and surrounding area, including the towns of Hatfield, Woodstock, Jasper, Trosky and Holland. Pipestone Area High School, a new 197,000-square-foot (18,300 m²) 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.

Infrastructure

Transportation

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

Notable people

• Professional wrestler Karl Anderson, though not from Pipestone, uses the town as his character's hometown.
• Vern Ehlers, former United States Representative for Michigan, was born in Pipestone.
• Comedian and screenwriter John Lutz was born in Pipestone.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Although he never visited the site, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was inspired to write of the area in the poem, "Song of Hiawatha". The Song of Hiawatha Pageant, which spins out Longfellow's vision of the American Indian, played in Pipestone for 60 years. The pageant was held at a small quarry lake on a natural amphitheater with a cast of 200 principals, chieftains, warriors, and dancers in their colorful costumes. Summer of 2008 was the last year for the pageant.

External links

• City of Pipestone
• County of Pipestone
• Pipestone Chamber of Commerce
• Pipestone County Star newspaper site
• Pipestone National Monument website - National Park Service
• Pipestone, Minnesota, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
• Minnesota West Community & Technical College site - Pipestone campus
• City-Data.com
• ePodunk: Profile for Pipestone, Minnesota, MN