Windom, Minnesota

Windom is a city in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, United States.  The population was 4,646 at the 2010 census.  It is the county seat of Cottonwood County.

Windom is a small farming town.  It also has many parks including one with a disc golf course.  The Des Moines River flows through Windom and some people canoe there.

History
The city was named for William Windom, who was a United States Senator from Minnesota from 1881–1883, and was United States Secretary of the Treasury under presidents James Garfield, Chester Arthur and Benjamin Harrison.

Geography
Windom is located at  (43.866346, -95.116937). It is  above sea level. The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.7 km²).  3.5 square miles (9.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (5.08%) is water.

Politics
Windom is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat. At the state level, Windom is located in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Doug Magnus, and in House District 22B, represented by Republican Rod Hamilton.

Transportation
U.S. Highway 71, Minnesota Highway 60, and  Minnesota Highway 62 are three of the main routes in the city.

Industry
Windom is home to one of 8 Toro manufacturing facilities.  It is also the home to Big Game Treestands.

Communications
The local paper is the Cottonwood County Citizen.
The local radio station is KDOM Radio.

Education
Windom is home to three schools: Windom Area Middle/High School, Winfair Elementary School, and Red Rock Ridge ALC.  It is also home to two preschools: Busy Bees and Sunshine School.

Windom Area Middle/High School
Windom Area Middle/High School is home to students grade 4-12 due to renovations in 2003.  There are roughly 300 students attending the high school (grades 9-12) and 350 attending the middle school (grades 4-10).  The school is led by Principal Eric Hanson and Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt.

Extracurriculars

Sports
Football home of Top Minnesota recruits Michael Rivera and Tent Bever
Volleyball - State Champions in 2008, State Runner up in 2007 2013 section 2A champs 
Cross Country - Boys and Girls- John Curley and Emily Turner, State Participants, 2010 (800 meter dash winner 7th grade John Turner)
Basketball- Boys and Girls Hoops that Like to throw Alley-oops. Stepping stone to Intermural glory.
Gymnastics-voted all state academics 12 years running 
Wrestling- Jeff Stuckenbroker, Nick Kulseth, A.J. Stevens, Drake Borsgard, Joe Fischenich, Billy Hochstein, Sam Fischenich, and Wyatt Stevens have all been state place winners.
Golf - State Runner-up in 2008 lead by Jordan Higley. 
Lacrosse established in 2008 coached by Johnathan Smith who has a 21-46 career record star players have been Sean Mcgire, Phillip Symens, and Nolan Jones.
Tennis only all state player in school history Brendon Chester

Arts
Band
Stage Band
Choir
Pop Group
Flags and Rifles
Fall Musical
Winter Play
Mass Media

Academics
Knowledge Bowl State Participants in 3 successive years 2009, 2010, and 2011
YES! Team
Speech-Many state participants, including Morgan Potter, State Champion in Prose
FFA
Student Senate

Entertainment

Riverfest
Windom holds an annual summer festival called Riverfest during the second weekend of June.  A pageant corresponds to this celebration which crowns a Miss Riverfest, a First Runner-Up, Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality and a Little Miss Riverfest.  Other activities in this weekend celebration include: fireworks, Vickie Schendel 5K Walk/Run, tennis tourney, fishing tourney, turtle races, kiddie tractor pull, street dance, grand parade, and many more.

Winter-River-Fest
In February 2011 Windom started a new festival dubbed "Winter-River-Fest."  Activities included a chili feed, open fires, dodge ball, snow sculpting, and the Darn Cold Croquet Contest.

Notable natives
Maria Schneider - Composer
Johnny Olson - Gameshow announcer
Larry Buhler - Professional football player

References
 Brown, John A.  History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota: Their People, Industries, and Institutions.  B.F. Bowen & Co.: Indianapolis, 1916.

Other websites
 City of Windom
 Windom Community Guide

Cities in Minnesota
County seats in Minnesota