Situated along the North Fork of the Zumbro River, in Goodhue County, the city of Zumbrota, Minnesota is the only city in the world with that name.
The city is on the edge of the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, a small portion of which is within the city. It is surrounded by Minneola Township, Zumbrota Township, Pine Island Township, and Roscoe Township.
The chief arterial routes through the city are US Route 52 and Minnesota State Highways 58 and 60. Lesser routes include Goodhue County Roads 6 and 10. Nearby cities include Pine Island (6.7 miles south), Wanamingo (7.3 miles west), Mazeppa (7.5 miles east), and Goodhue (8.6 miles north). Saint Paul is fifty-five miles to the north-northwest.
Zumbrota was organized in 1856 by members of the Strafford Western Emigration Society, based in Massachusetts, and was intended to function under rules that were designed to ensure a Puritan community. Among the principle founders were Joseph Bailey and D.B. Goddard. The original settlers, recruited by the Society, were largely made up of recent German and Scandinavian immigrants.
The first store was opened by Thomas P. Kellett in October of 1856, and a post office was established there the following year, with Kellett as the first postmaster. Before long, the new settlement had a cheese factory, a creamery, elevators, grain mills, and other shops, as well as churches and a school.
In 1857, a covered bridge was constructed over the North Branch of the Zumbro River. Flood damage in 1863, 1865, and 1869 required extensive replacement of sections of the bridge, including a replacement of the covered portion of it in 1871, but it was in service until 1932, when it was moved to the fairgrounds. In 1997, the bridge was moved to its current location in Covered Bridge Park, only about a hundred yards from its original location. It is the last remaining historic covered bridge in Minnesota.
In 1905, Zumbrota constructed a second covered bridge, which was a railroad bridge for the Duluth, Red Wing, and Southern Railroad, but its roof collapsed in 2019.
The railroads came in 1870, and Zumbrota was incorporated as a village in 1877 and became a city in the 1970s when the Minnesota legislator made cities of all incorporated municipalities within the state.
By the second decade of the 20th century, Zumbrota had an elaborate school building, an opera house, a clay manufacturing plant, and a telephone company.
Although not a large city, Zumbrota has gained population every decade since the Census Bureau began recording its numbers in 1880. The city has more than three thousand residents and two hundred businesses today, including its Main Street, with niche shop, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
This is primarily a guide to the city of Zumbrota, Minnesota, although topics related to Zumbrota Township may be submitted to this category, as well. Appropriate listings may include municipal and township government websites, as well as those representing local businesses and industries, schools, churches, organizations, individuals, or events.
Recommended Resources
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church
Founded in 1896, the Zumbrota, Minnesota congregation moved into its first church facility in 1898. The history of the church is told, including each of the pastors who have served the congregation. A map and directions to the church are included, a statement of beliefs is posted, along with a service schedule, calendar of events, and live streaming of Sunday services. The congregation also supports Christ Lutheran School, a K-8th-grade Christian school, which is introduced here.
https://www.christlutheranzumbrota.com/
Situated along Highway 60 Boulevard, a quarter of a mile west of US Route 52 in Zumbrota, Minnesota, the congregation meets each Sunday for Sunday School and worship services, and on Wednesdays for Bible study. Its office hours and contacts are posted, and a map shows the location of the church facility. Its ministries to children, youth, and adults are summarized, ministry teams are acknowledged, with contacts for additional information, and an audio sermon archive is included.
https://www.landslutheran.org/
United Redeemer Lutheran Church
Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Zumbrota, Minnesota congregation was formed in 1970 through the merger of the former United Lutheran Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, both of which had been organized in 1913. The history of the church is told, its leadership and staff are introduced, and a calendar of regular weekly services and programs and a calendar of events are published to the site.
http://www.urlchurch.org/
Formed in 1921, the theater originally produced vaudeville, radio shows, plays, and silent movies and, since 2010, the facility has become a venue for concerts, movies, plays, and musicals. The history and a profile of the theater are put forth, along with a gallery of photographs and posters for past productions. Currently playing productions are highlighted, a yearly schedule is displayed, along with an audition schedule, and tickets may be purchased online.
http://ztheatre.org/
Offering a full line of new, remanufactured, OE replacement, and performance manual transmissions, transfer cases, and differentials, as well as the components needed to rebuild or repair them, the Zumbrota, Minnesota company has a nationwide customer base. General information about the company is put forth, along with details of each of its products and parts. Its product catalog may be viewed online, and purchases may be made through the site.
https://www.zumbrotadrivetrain.com/
Located on Roscoe Avenue, in Zumbrota, Minnesota, the full-service, small animal veterinary medical facility offers medical, dental, and surgical care. Its location, hours, appointment policies, and emergency contacts are put forth, and its doctors and staff are introduced, several photographs are displayed, and client testimonials are published to the site. Other resources include access to a library of pet medical information, as well as notices of pet food recalls and informational videos.
https://www.zumbrotavet.com/
This guide to the city of Zumbrota, Minnesota includes historical and contemporary information about the Zumbrota Covered Bridge, the last functional covered bridge in the state, as well as the locations, descriptions, and links to additional resources for Zumbrota’s parks, trails, and recreational facilities. Organizations and schedules for events related to arts and entertainment, as well as local schools, churches, libraries, and community services, including the city’s downtown district.
http://www.zumbrotacoveredbridge.com/
Zumbrota, Minnesota: Bridging the Past and the Future
Situated twenty miles north of Rochester, Zumbrota is home to the only remaining functioning covered bridge in Minnesota. The history of the city is briefly told here, along with a bridge to the city’s covered bridge, and a guide to local dining and lodging facilities, as well as its parks and recreational opportunities, senior services, and utilities. The mayor and city council are introduced, council meeting agendas and minutes are posted, and job openings are featured.
https://www.ci.zumbrota.mn.us/
