Situated in southeastern Minnesota, the city of Austin is in Mower County, for which it serves as the county seat. The first settlers in the area were trappers who came in the 1850s, settling along the Cedar River. By 1856, there were enough residents to organize a county and, in that year also, the town took on the name of Austin, for Austin Nichols, who built the first log cabin there in 1853. The town’s first industries were mills powered by the Cedar River, supplying flour and lumber for the developing village. When the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad came through in the late 1860s, the town began to grow rapidly. In 1891, George A. Hormel opened a family butcher shop in Austin, which eventually grew into Hormel Foods, a Fortune 500 company, still headquartered in Austin. The city’s first college, Southern Minnesota Normal College, was established in 1897, and operated until 1925. Austin Junior College opened in 1940, becoming part of the State College and University System in 1964, currently known as Riverland Community College. Nearby communities include Adams, Brownsdale, Corning, Dexter, Elkton, Glenville, Hayward, Hollandale, Lansing, Mapleview, Mayville, Moscow, Myrtle, Oakland, Renova, Rose Creek, and Varco. Rochester, Minnesota is about forty miles northeast, and Owatonna is about forty-eight miles northwest of Austin.
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Recommended Resources
Austin Area Chamber of Commerce
The business membership organization is made up of business owners and others in the Austin, Minnesota area. Member benefits, meeting schedules, a calendar of events, and its staff and board are identified. A guide to local churches, clubs and civic organizations, school, parks, and places of interest is included.
https://www.austincoc.com/
Published in Austin, Minnesota, the daily newspaper offers local, regional and statewide news and sports stories, business and entertainment reports, opinion columns, obituaries, and special sections. Other resources include subscription and advertising information, area photographs, and weather reports.
http://www.austindailyherald.com/
The official web site of the city of Austin, Minnesotas offers contacts for the municipal government, including its boards and commissions, economic development resources, mayor, and council, as well as council agendas and minutes, and a guide to city departments, facilities, and services.
http://www.ci.austin.mn.us/
Made up of Austin, Minnesota boys in grades one through five, Pack 113 meets every Monday night, usually at Pacelli Elementary School. An overview of the organization, affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, is given, including its ranks, a pack calendar, and membership requirements.
http://pack113austin.org/
Maintained by the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, the site offers a tourism and visitor’s guide to the city, as well as a calendar of events, suggestions for things to see or do within the city, information about area guest accommodations an of its Film Rebate Program, developed to encourage the number of film productions being made in Austin.
http://www.austinmn.com/
Founded by George A. Hormel in 1891, the Fortune 500 company is still headquartered in Austin, Minnesota. Its history and a profile of the company is put forward, along with an overview of its food products and other products, recipes using Hormel food products, discount coupons, and corporate data.
http://www.hormel.com/
KAUS 1480 AM Voice of Mower County
Broadcasting from Austin, Minnesota, the radio station specializes in news and sports reporting. Viewers may submit schedules of upcoming local events to be published to the site. Other resources include a programming lineup, school closing notices, auction items, and online streaming.
http://www.myaustinminnesota.com/
The volunteer organization supports the music programs of Austin, Minnesota’s public school system through the purchase of equipment and instruments, funding cultural performances in the schools, as well as music trips. A board meeting schedule, calendar of events, newsletter, and access to various forms are included.
http://www.mbaustin.org/
Produced in Austin, Minnesota by Hormel Foods, the well-known canned meat products are highlighted, including available varieties, recipes using Spam, and an online shopping area. The location and hours of operation of the Spam Museum is also featured, with a parking map.
http://www.spam.com/
