Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-29
LITCHFIELD


OF all the beautiful locations in which our
State abounds, none is SO well calculated to
at once command the attention and the ad-
miration of the tourist as Litchfeld. The
St. Papl & Pacific, after whirling you along
some eighty miles, over a country somewhat
broken in appearance, through the big woods
and past picturesque lakes and thriving vii
lagos, sets you down at this young city, and
instinctively you stop and gaze about at the
wide expanse around you as upon some
mammoth work of art. The city with its
large elevators, fine business houses, tower
ing church spires, wide streets and neat pub
lie parks, well filed with trees and shrubbery
in front, the wide expanse of level prairie,
smooth as floor, chequered over with farm
buildings and interspersed with lakes and
groves for the background, and all
set in natures picture frame the horizon.
Geographically, Litchfeld is situated within
six miles of the States center, and if the
eye could strike here for the first time upon
Minnesota landscape, the reputation of the
State would certainly lose nothing. But lit
tie more than eight years ago the site of the
Litchfeld of to-day was one vast wheat field.
Where but few years ago the waving grain
or garnered sheaves alone met the view, a
live, wide-awake young city of some twelve
to fifteen hundred population now exists
Meeker county, of which this place is the
county seat, has been truly said to be one of
the best agricultural counties in the State.
Despite the fact that the crop in some three
townships was nearly ruined by the 'hoppers,
over 800, 900 bushels of wheat were produced
the past season. The soil is black loan
with clay sub-soil, and prairie, timber
and water, the three most essential
points to be considered IN the selection of a
farm are to be found here well distributed.
Within the county are forty-three run of
burrs grinding away at the great staple the
year round. Good improved farms com
mand from eight to twenty dollars per acre,
according to location and Improvement,
while the St. Paul & Pacific railroad passing
through the entire county from east to west,
furnishes the inhabitants communication
with the outside world, and gives them fine
market. Yhe schools of the county are well
advanced, while the high school of Litchfeld
offers excellent opportunities for more
complete education. To parties DESTROYS of
locating in country already settled and i'm
proved, as well as to business men in search
of an opening, this vicinity and city offers
excellent opportunities, and, as natural
consequence, real estate transfers are
the order of the day. The
business men of Litchfield are alive
to the interests of their city, and evince a
degree of public spirit and ibera1ity highly
commendable.
VI the different religious denominations
the Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregation
alists, Lutherans and Baptists are repre-
scented, the first four named having fine
churches. The Litchfeld News- Ledger and
Independent two tip top local newspapers,
and the large number of the DAILY GLOBE
taken attest the intelligence of the people
and keeps them well up in general news.
The city also supports fine brass band Gum
der the leadership of II. j. Lasher) whose
excellent music is very pleasant feature of
society. We are informed that splendid
mineral spring has lately been discovered
quite near at hand, which will lend addi-
tional interest to the throngs of summer
visitors who flock hither during the season.
Now that the fact that the locust
plague is at an end has become
generally known throughout the country we
may expect another season to see throngs of
people seeking homes among us. That this
line of railroad, and that Meeker county will
get their full share we have no doubt, and
shall not be at all surprised to see Litchfeld
take front rank among her sister cities of
the State in point of wealth and population.
B.