The fifth largest city in Minnesota, Mankato is mostly situated in Blue Earth County, for which it is the county seat, although a portion of the city is in Nicollet County, and a small, non-contiguous part of the city is in Le Sueur County. Mankato completely encompasses the town of Skyline. Mankato was founded on a large bend in the Minnesota River, at its confluence with the Blue Earth River. It is across the river from North Mankato. US Highways 14 and 169, and Minnesota Highways 22 and 60 are the chief routes through the city. Besides North Mankato and Skyline, other nearby communities include Benning, Eagle Lake, Garden City, Judson, Kasota, Lake Crystal, Madison Lake, Marysburg, Nicollet, North Star, Oshawa, Rapidan, and St. Clair. When Europeans and European-Americans began coming into the area, it was inhabited by four divisions of the Dakota Sioux. The first settler in the area that became Mankato was Parsons King Johnson, who came in 1852, and was shortly joined by others, and Mankato was organized as a city by Henry Jackson, Parson Johnson and others in 1858. In 1862, the U.S. Army carried out the largest mass execution in United Stated history at Mankato, hanging thirty-eight Dakotas who had taken part in the Dakota War of 1862. Three hundred and three Dakotas had been sentenced to die by a military tribunal, but President Lincoln pardoned all but thirty-eight of them, persuaded that they had acted in defense against military forces. Although Mankato is not mentioned by Laura Ingalls Wilder in her Little House books, it is the trading town that the people of Walnut Grove often visit in the Little House on the Prairie television series. The Western outlaws John Sontag and George Contant, were brothers, and natives of Mankato.
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Mankato is the county seat of Blue Earth County and the fifth largest city in Minnesota. A profile and history of the city is set forth on its official web site, along with demographics, a directory of city services, council agendas, minutes and video, a council handbook, and a copy of the city’s strategic plan. A city calendar and newsletter are included.
https://www.mankatomn.gov/
Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys
Headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota, the River Valleys Council serves Girl Scouts organizations in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A history of the Girl Scouts is given, including information on membership, volunteer opportunities, and alumni, camping, and a calendar of events.
http://www.girlscoutsrv.org/
GMG is the regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation, which works to promote and serve as a catalyst for economic development in Mankato, Minnesota and the surrounding region. Membership policies and a member directory are featured, along with a guide to the Mankato area, a calendar of events and programs.
https://greatermankato.com/
The guide to the Mankato, Minnesota area includes local business advertisements, as well as area attractions and events, hotels, motels and other guest accommodations, apartment complexes and facilities, restaurants and catering services, travel options, real estate, and job opportunities.
http://www.mankato.com/
In operation since 1916, the Mankato, Minnesota medical clinic is a physician owned, multi-specialty regional group practice with providers in Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter, Mapleton, and Lake Crystal. Its locations, services, and contacts are highlighted, and appointments may be requested online.
http://www.mankatoclinic.com/
The Mankato Free Press began publication in 1887, but its history goes back to 1857, when the Independent began publication. The Independent was acquired by Charles Slocum and renamed the Mankato Union. In 1880, the Union and a rival newspaper, the Record, merged to become the Mankato Weekly Free Press, which became a daily in 1887. Offering news and sports stories, community events, opinion columns, and other fare, full access to its content requires a subscription.
http://www.mankatofreepress.com/
The free online newspaper offers news, sports and health stories, as well as other articles of interest to people in Mankato, Minnesota. Its features include local events, businesses, and the arts, along with public service stories, business advertising, movie reviews, opinion columns, and letters to the editor.
http://www.mankatotimes.com/
The Twin Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America is headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota, and includes the River Stone District, the Cedar Valley District, and the Western Prairie District. General information about the Boy Scouts of America is put forth, including camps and camping, council news, training programs, and its Scout shop.
http://www.twinvalleybsa.org/
Twin Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America
Serving fifteen counties in southern Minnesota, the Twin Valley Council operates three Scout camps, and oversees the BSA’s Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Exploring programs within the Council area. Its camps and programs are highlighted, along with the Wahpekute Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, BSA leadership training opportunities within the Council area, a calendar of events, news, and announcements. Membership information is included.
https://www.twinvalleybsa.org/
Set up for the purpose of promoting the greater Mankato, Minnesota region to tourists and other visitors, the site offers a guide to the area, including local attractions and events, hotels and other guest accommodations, restaurants, and recreational opportunities. A calendar of events, an interactive map, and a trip planning guide are featured.
http://visitgreatermankato.com/