Brownsville is a small city in the southeastern corner of Houston County, in eastern Minnesota, on the Mississippi River, which forms the eastern boundary of the city and state. Wild Cat Creek flows from the west into the Mississippi River. Brownsville was settled by Job Brown in 1848. His brother, Charles Brown, his brother-in-law, James Hiner, and others came that winter. Other early settlers included George Shrof, John Whitlow, and a couple of men named Stone and Watson, who settled on a ridge to the north. Also, there was Dennis Sheehan, who came in 1853, and William Power and James Hickey, who came in 1854. John Shelly first built a few miles above the village, but later moved into town. The first building in town was made of logs, and moved to the village from an island opposite the mouth of the Root River. Charles Brown put up the first frame building in 1850, which was later used as a school house. Brown also built the first public building, used as a church and school house. In the beginning of 1855, the town had a population of about fifty but by the end of the year there were more than two hundred. The village was platted by Job and Charles Brown shortly after the county was organized, and it was incorporated in 1858. Brownsville is across the river from Stoddard, and southeast of Hokah. Other nearby communities include Chaseburg, Coon Valley, Genoa, La Crosse, Newton, and St. Joseph, Wisconsin, as well as Caledonia, Freeburg, Houston, LaCrescent, Reno, and Sheldon, Minnesota. Rochester, Minnesota is just over seventy-five miles west of Brownsville.
Recommended Resources
Affiliated with Lions International, the Brownsville, Minnesota club was founded in 1983, and is part of District 5M1 covering Southeastern Minnesota. Its meeting schedules and location are featured, with a list of officers, contacts, announcements, and links to district web sites and other resources.
http://www.lions5m1.org/brownsville/
Situated on the Mississippi River, Brownsville is in southeastern Houston County, on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. Its history and a profile of the community are outlined, and a calendar of upcoming events, council agendas and minutes, the city code, and access to various reports and documents are available on the official city web site.
http://www.brownsvillemn.org/
The secluded seventy-two slip marina is located on the Mississippi River, in Brownsville, Minnesota, seven miles south of Lacrosse, Wisconsin. Offering fuel, snacks, beer, bait, picnic boat rentals, an on-site restaurant, and live music every weekend, its location, an overview of its products and services, and contacts are posted.
http://lawrencelakemarina.com/
After meeting for a time in parishioner’s homes, the Catholic Church was built in 1859, and joined with St. Mary’s in Caledonia in 2004. Directions, mass schedules, and a program calendar are featured, along with a history of the parish and church, leadership contacts, and office hours.
http://www.stpatrickschurchbrownsvillemn.org/
The non-denominational Christian church meets at its facilities on North 7th Street in Brownsville, Minnesota. Organized in 1862, the church has served the community for more than a century and a half. Its history and a profile of the church are put forth, with an overview of its beliefs and practices, member policies, and a sermon archive.
https://zionevangelicalchurch.org/
