Albert Lea, Minnesota

History

The city is named after Albert Lea Lake, which was named after Albert Miller Lea, a topographer with the United States Dragoons, who surveyed southern Minnesota and northern Iowa in 1835, including the current site of Albert Lea.{{cite web |access-date=March 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616094359/http://www.city.albertlea.org/sesquihistory.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2007

The city received national attention in 1959 after Local 6 of the United Packinghouse Workers of America went on strike against Wilson & Co., one of the Big Four meatpacking plants at the time, over issues involving mandatory overtime requirements. When Wilson & Co. attempted to operate the plant with replacement workers, violence erupted and split the town. During the 109-day strike, Governor Orville Freeman acted to quell the violence by closing the plant, calling in the Minnesota National Guard, and declaring martial law on December 11. A federal district court in Minneapolis ruled against Freeman on December 23, and the plant turned back to Wilson & Co. just days later.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.42 sqmi, of which 12.59 sqmi is land and 1.83 sqmi is water. Myre-Big Island State Park is nearby. There are three main lakes in Albert Lea: Fountain Lake, Pickerel Lake and Albert Lea Lake.

Climate

Albert Lea has a humid continental climate of the hot-summer subtype (Köppen Dfa). Albert Lea varies from cold winters to hot summers, with significant contrasts between seasons. Its climate type is typical for inland northern United States locations, but due to its southern position in the state, its summers and winters have higher temperatures than other, more northerly regions of the state. An exception to this rule is the urban core of Minneapolis - St. Paul, which sees higher temperatures typical of an urban heat island, but Albert Lea is significantly warmer than locations such as Duluth.

|Jan record high F = 64 |Feb record high F = 64 |Mar record high F = 84 |Apr record high F = 94 |May record high F = 104 |Jun record high F = 104 |Jul record high F = 104 |Aug record high F = 101 |Sep record high F = 103 |Oct record high F = 94 |Nov record high F = 79 |Dec record high F = 67 |year record high F = 104

|Jan avg record high F = 42.1 |Feb avg record high F = 46.3 |Mar avg record high F = 64.7 |Apr avg record high F = 79.7 |May avg record high F = 88.1 |Jun avg record high F = 92.2 |Jul avg record high F = 91.8 |Aug avg record high F = 89.5 |Sep avg record high F = 87.9 |Oct avg record high F = 81.8 |Nov avg record high F = 64.8 |Dec avg record high F = 46.6 |year avg record high F = 94.5

|Jan avg record low F = -16.2 |Feb avg record low F = -11.1 |Mar avg record low F = -0.2 |Apr avg record low F = 20.9 |May avg record low F = 33.8 |Jun avg record low F = 46.2 |Jul avg record low F = 52.2 |Aug avg record low F = 49.1 |Sep avg record low F = 35.9 |Oct avg record low F = 22.6 |Nov avg record low F = 7.3 |Dec avg record low F = -8.7 |year avg record low F = -18.8

|Jan record low F = −41 |Feb record low F = −33 |Mar record low F = −29 |Apr record low F = 3 |May record low F = 21 |Jun record low F = 34 |Jul record low F = 42 |Aug record low F = 35 |Sep record low F = 22 |Oct record low F = −6 |Nov record low F = −18 |Dec record low F = −29 |year record low F = -41 | access-date = June 24, 2021}} | access-date = June 24, 2021}}

Demographics

|align-fn=center 2020 Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 18,016 people, 7,774 households, and 4,644 families living in the city. The population density was 1431.0 PD/sqmi. There were 8,410 housing units at an average density of 668.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.0% White, 1.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.2% of the population.

There were 7,774 households, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.3% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 44 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 22.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,356 people, 7,785 households, and 4,826 families living in the city. The population density was 1,702.5 PD/sqmi. There were 8,133 housing units at an average density of 754.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.80% White, 0.37% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.54% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. 9.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 7,785 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.88.

23.0% of Albert Lea's population were under the age of 18, 7.9% were 18 to 24, 24.6% were 25 to 44, 23.2% were from 45 to 64, and 21.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,841, and the median income for a family was $42,407. Males had a median income of $31,383 versus $21,114 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,979. 10.2% of the population and 6.9% of families were below the poverty line. 10.6% of those under the age of 18 and 10.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center is a historic building in downtown Albert Lea. The 255-seat theater is used for the arts, business meetings, and seminars.

The Freeborn County Fair takes place annually in Albert Lea, and includes live entertainment, an antique tractor show, a draft horse show, a small and baby animal show, a midway featuring rides, concessions, and other attractions, and a Sunday church service. A number of well-known and popular Country and Western bands have appeared at the Fair, including Kelly Pickler, Jason Aldean, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Statler Brothers, among many others.

The Albert Lea Art Center hosts public events.

Sports

The Albert Lea Thunder was a junior hockey team that played at Albert Lea Ice Arena and was a member of the North American Hockey League. The team operated for two seasons in 2008–10 and folded due to financial difficulties. On May 11, 2010, it was reported that the team had found new owners and would relocate to Texas for the 2010–11 season. Its roster was sold to the expansion Amarillo, Texas, franchise the Amarillo Bulls on May 26, 2010.

Government

Albert Lea's city hall is at 221 East Clark St. Albert Lea is in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Brad Finstad, a Republican from New Ulm. It is in Minnesota State Senate District 23, represented by State Senator Gene Dornink, a Republican from Brownsdale, and in Minnesota's House District 23A, represented by Peggy Bennett, a Republican.

Education

• School District 241
  • Alternative Learning Center
• Elementary schools
  • Halverson Elementary
  • Hawthorne Elementary
  • Lakeview Elementary
  • Sibley Elementary
  • St. Theodore's Catholic School
• Middle schools
  • Southwest Middle School
• High school
  • Albert Lea High School
• Higher education
  • Riverland Community College
  • Lea College, operated 1966–1973
• Community education
  • Albert Lea Community Ed

Media

The Albert Lea Tribune, founded in 1897, is a newspaper published Monday through Saturday in Albert Lea. It is owned by Boone Newspapers.

Radio stations with Albert Lea as the city of license include:

• KATE an AM radio station broadcasting at 1450 kHz. The station airs news/talk programming and is owned by Alpha Media.
• KCPI "94.9 The Breeze" an FM radio station broadcasting at 94.9 MHz. The station airs an adult contemporary music programming and is owned by Alpha Media.
• KQPR "Power 96" an FM radio station broadcasting at 96.1 MHz. The station airs classic rock music programming and is owned by D&Z Media LLC.

Transportation

Local bus service in Albert Lea is provided by SMART. SMART operates one deviated fixed route and paratransit service.

Notable people

• Clare Hibbs Armstrong, brigadier general during World War II
• Alfred Berglund, Minnesota state senator and farmer
• Beatrice Gjertsen Bessesen (1886–1935), operatic soprano and namesake of the Bessesen Building
• Tom Brown (Canadian football), Minnesota Golden Gophers and BC Lions football star
• Richard Carlson, sci-fi and horror, writer, director and actor
• Vinny Cerrato, former Washington Redskins general manager
• Eddie Cochran, rockabilly musician
• Robert Crumb, cartoonist and musician
• Richard Fitzgerald, farmer, businessman, and Minnesota state legislator
• Al Franken, comedian, commentator and U.S. Senator
• Joan Claire Graham, writer, editor and publisher
• Alexander Grinager, an artist most noted for his murals, born in Albert Lea
• Rudolph Hanson, lawyer and Minnesota state legislator
• Steve Heitzeg, composer, born in Albert Lea
• Mary Kelly, conceptual artist
• Jodi Jill, author, also known for having been raised as a child in a public storage facility
• John A. Lovely, Minnesota Supreme Court justice
• Paul Overgaard, businessman and Minnesota state legislator
• Tim Penny, U.S. Representative (1983–1995), born in Albert Lea
• Mark Piepho, businessman and Minnesota state legislator
• Marion Ross, actress (Happy Days)
• Olive Nelson Russell, composer, organist, and pianist
• Perry Saturn, professional wrestler
• William B. Sieglaff, double Navy Cross recipient and US Navy Admiral
• Warren Stowell, teacher, businessman, and Minnesota state legislator
• Ben Woodside, Professional Basketball Player

References

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
2. {{GNIS. 2393902
3. "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide".
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
5. "Explore Census Data". [[United States Census Bureau]].
6. "Cargill Timeline".
7. Register, Cheri (2001) ''Packinghouse Daughter'', [[HarperCollins]]. {{ISBN. 0-06-093684-3
8. "Martial Law Ordered in Meat Strike", ''Oakland Tribune'', December 11, 1959, p1
9. Frost, Richard T. (1961) ''Cases in State and Local Government'', [[Prentice-Hall]] LCCR: [http://lccn.loc.gov/61008224 61008224]
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
11. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023". United States Census Bureau.
12. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau.
13. "Marion Ross Performing Arts Center".
14. "Freeborn County Fair {{!}} The Six Best Days of Summer".
15. "Albert Lea Art Center and Art on Broadway Gift Shop".
16. "Albert Lea, Mason City Lose NAHL Teams".
17. "Albert Lea Thunder rolls into NAHL {{!}} North American Hockey League {{!}} NAHL".
18. (12 August 2022). "Republican Rep. Brad Finstad sworn in to finish Hagedorn's House term".
19. [http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/members.asp?district=27A Minnesota House of Representatives; Peggy Bennett, District 27A]
20. "Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Election Results".
21. "Albert Lea Tribune".
22. "Daily Newspaper list".
23. "KATE Facility Record". United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division.
24. "KCPI Facility Record". United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division.
25. "KQPR Facility Record". United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division.
26. "SMART Service".
27. "R. Crumb". AmesHistoricalSociety.org.