The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-03-14
WORTHINGTON.

ACulAl hdDlt Ill Lllt " GSC.
WORTHINGTON.
A gentleman who has held an impor-
tant State office, and who has seen near
ly all the larger towns of Minnesota
grow from a few huts to populous and
wealthy centres of trade, recently said
that Worthington was undoubtedly
destined to become one of the impor-
tant towns of the State. Located as it
is, just half way between Mankato and
Sioux City, and being so located that
it is naturally the best point at which
nine or ten counties can meet the rail-
road, it cannot fail to expand rapidly
into thriving city. In fact, nine
counties are now trading here, and
Worthington is recognized as the bust
ness, railroad and educational centre of
a large extent Of country extending in
to Iowa and Dakota.
At present we have but one railroad,
and we do not anticipate the building
of any other road to this point in less
time than from three to four years.
Nor do we think it would be to our adj
vantage to have another road at pres
ent. In five years time the country
now tributary to Worthington will
have made the town of so much conse.
quence that it can command the branch
to Sioux Falls and also the Southern
Minnesota which is now feeling its
way westward. The town once estab.
lished and recognized as an important
city, other railroads will be greatly to
our advantage in making this a jobbine
and manufacturing centre.
For the information of persons
abroad, We give the subjoined details:
The largest buildings in Worthington
are Miller's Hall, built at a cost of over
$1,000; the Worthington Hotel, built
at cost of about $40, 900, and the Okla
bena FIGURING Mills, which cost from
1896, 900 to $40, 000, and have a capacity
Of over 100 barrels of flour a day.
There are three other hotels in the
place, the Farmers, the Third Avenue
and the Okabena, all good sized hous.
eS.
Nearly all branches of business are
represented, prominent among which
are three stores for general merchap.
die, three hardware stores, three lum.
Der yards, two drug stores, two flour and
feed stores, two meat markets., one
boot and shoe store, one clothing store,
one confectionery, one grocery store
one furniture store, one fuel yard, one
livery stable, one bank and one printing
office, one harness shop and a variety
of mechanical occupations. There
are also in the place three lawyers,
three physicians, two dentists, two jew.
elers, four real estate dealers and four
builders. There are two grain ware.
houses besides the grain elevator con.
nected With the Okabena mills.
It may also be an interesting fact
that there are in Worthington some
fifteen or twenty college graduates and
some ten or twelve persons who now
are or have been teachers of music.
There are two schools in the place,
a graded district school, with two
teachers, and the Worthington Semina.
ry, with corps of eight teachers.
There is tut one church ediflce in the
place, a beautiful house, with base.
ment, built by the Union Congregation.
al Church at a cost of between $3.50
and $4,000. The Presbyterians, we un.
derstand, contemplate building during
the Summer. Strictly speaking, there
are but three church organizations in
the place, viz: the Methodist Episco.
pal, Rev. j. w. Lewis, pastor; the
Presbyterian, Rev. VIM. Jackson, pas
tor, and the Union Congregational,
Rev. J. B. Sharp, pastor. The Episco
palians and Lutherans have occasional
services.
Worthington has besides public Ii
brary. Masonic Lodge, with a hall
and quite large Post of the Grand
Army.