Luverne is a city in Rock County, Minnesota, United States, along the Rock River. The population was 4,617 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rock County[3]. It is one of four towns profiled in the 2007 Ken Burns documentary The War.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.9 km²), of which, 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²) of it is land and 0.29% is water.
Interstate 90 and U.S. Route 75 are two of the main routes in the city. Iowa borders to the south and South Dakota to the west. The regional center of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a convenient 30-minute drive on Interstate 90.
Rock County holds the distinction of being one of four counties in the state of Minnesota without a natural lake.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 4,617 people, 1,968 households, and 1,247 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,356.1 people per square mile (524.3/km²). There were 2,161 housing units at an average density of 634.7/sq mi (245.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.27% White, 0.67% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.58% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population.
There were 1,968 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males The median income for a household in the city was $36,271, and the median income for a family was $46,745. Males had a median income of $30,549 versus $22,660 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,692. About 5.7% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
Attractions
- Blue Mounds State Park is north of Luverne. A foraging bison herd is among the beautiful park's unique attractions. Camping, hiking, rock climbing, swimming and birdwatching are among the park's most popular activities. On the following website, writer Chris Welsch vividly describes key aspects of Blue Mounds State Park: "...this fragment of prairie -- about 1,800 acres -- is a small oasis in what used to be a sea of grasses and flowers that stretched from the Rockies to Indiana, from Manitoba to Texas...Most of Blue Mounds State Park resides on a plateau of bedrock, rising about 100 feet above the fertile farmland around it...The Sioux quartzite -- a remnant of an ancient seabed more than 1.5 billion years old...Ephemeral flowers grow on ancient stone. On close examination, endless vistas expose intricate ecology. Overwhelming and intimate at the same time, these former hunting grounds of the Dakota people remain awe-inspiring today." Blue Mounds State Park listing by Department of Natural Resources
- The Blue Mound Biking & Hiking Trail is a six-mile (10 km) path that stretches from Main Street in downtown Luverne to the lower lake parking lot at Blue Mounds State Park. Along the path visitors can see open scenery and agricultural fields, tree-lined shade, and a beautiful view of the Blue Mound cliff line. A portion of the trail branches off and goes to the top of the 90-foot (27 m) cliff line for a panoramic view of the community.
- In addition to the large City Park beside the Rock River, Luverne maintains 10 neighborhood parks.
- Rock County Pool and Fitness Center
- Quentin Aanenson Field - Luverne's Airport placed a lengthened runway and expanded faciities into service in 2009. The Airport is named after WWII flying hero Quentin Aanenson whose narrative was a key focus of the Ken Burns PBS Series, THE WAR.
- Ice Arena
- The Palace Theater on Main Street recently underwent a $1 million renovation. On September 6, 2007, the historic movie theater hosted the world premiere of Ken Burns' epic 15-hour PBSdocumentary, The War--first aired on PBS September 23, 2007. Luverne is one of four U.S. cities that serve as anchor points for The War. The series tells the story of World War II from the perspective of "so-called ordinary Americans" who fought and lived through the global cataclysm. The six-year project by Florentine Films was acclaimed as the best work to date from legendary filmmaker Ken Burns—who attended the Luverne premiere and a special showing for veterans, both held at the Palace Theater. The Palace Theater hosted a dazzling screening of "Casablanca" at the extensive 2009 Luverne All-School Reunion.
- Green Earth Players theater troupe
- Verne Drive-in Movie Theater features latest films for viewing under the stars--one of a limited number of such drive-ins remaining in the country. Movies in season begin at dusk. The Verne is located less than half a mile south of Luverne on Highway 75.
- Rock County Veterans Memorial, dedicated May 28, 2007, is located on the south lawn of the historic and refurbished Rock County Courthouse. Many have likened the quality of the Memorial to what would be seen in Washington, D.C. The Memorial was built by KAHR--a family foundation. Supplementing the Memorial are individual paver stones that honor by name Rock County veterans of all services. A dynamic design allows future Rock County veterans to be added to the roll of honorees.
- Those Blasted Things - a small rock shop with natural items from all over the globe, including fossils and meteorites.
- Touch the Sky Prairie - a Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, northwest of Luverne. The Brandenburg Prairie Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have jointly acquired over 800 acres of native prairie. A 15-year management plan in progress seeks to restore hundreds of native species. Touch the Sky Prairie is included in the upcoming BBC television documentary, "Life"--a sequel to the award-winning "Planet Earth" series. Brandenburg Prairie Foundation Blog
- Brandenburg Gallery - Award-winning photography from Luverne native and National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg is located on the first two floors of the Rock County Veterans Memorial Building dedicated in July of 2009 on Luverne Street at Courthouse Square. Featured subjects include wildlife, the outdoors and a focus on the vanishing prairie. Profits from the Gallery go to support the mission of the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation.
- Herreid Military Museum and the Heritage Gallery currently feature WWII-related exhibits and occupy two upper floors of the Rock County Veterans Memorial Building. Dedicated in 2009, the new galleries building adjoins the new Kahler Terrace providing an outdoor setting for community events. An underground tunnel connects the building to the Rock County Courthouse, itself beautifully renovated in 1987-88. Both structures were built from locally-quarried Sioux quartzite. The Memorial Building's transformation from the former county jail and Sheriff's residence to a museum complex was driven by the KAHR Foundation of Warren Herreid II and Jeannine Rivet. Visitors will find time spent at Rock County Courthouse Square rewarding and stimulating.
- Luverne Public Schools - A large, modern educational plant bordered by many acres of athletic fields and room for expansion is situated in the northwest portion of Luverne beside Highway 75. The community long has taken pride in the quality of its educational system. One indicator is Luverne Dollars for Scholars. With a current $2.9 million endowment providing scholarships for graduating high school students, the Luverne chapter's endowment is the nation's second-highest. Founded in 1983, the Luverne chapter is non-profit and community-based.
Notable area people
- Quentin C. Aanenson, World War II ace, was born in Luverne. Aanenson heroically completed 75 flying missions earning numerous medals. While overseas in Europe, he wrote to his future wife, Jackie Greer of Baton Rouge, La., describing the human toll of combat. He later became a successful insurance executive and devoted family man. In retirement, he further articulated the horrors he had seen for a nationwide audience on Ken Burns' THE WAR series on PBS. His home community honored him by naming its expanded airfield after him.
- Cedric Adams - 1930s-1950s-era WCCO AM radio personality, TV broadcaster and daily newspaper columnist in the Twin Cities. Upper Midwest pilots saw lights flicker out at the end of his 10 p.m. radio news broadcasts. "The Great Mellow Voice of the Midwest" is a 2002 inductee of Pavek Museum of Broadcasting.
- Jim Brandenburg - Award-winning nature photographer for National Geographic and other leading publications, filmmaker and environmentalist. Twice named Magazine Photographer of the Year and in 1988 Wildlife Photographer of the Year by Great Britain's Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife. Co-founder of Brandenburg Prairie Foundation. The non-profit Brandenburg Gallery at Courthouse Square displays some of his striking photographs and books. Jim Brandenburg Blog
- Jerilyn Britz - U.S. Women's Open Golf Champion in 1979. Winner of the 1980 LPGA Mary Kay Classic. Finished second-place at two other major championships. Played on LPGA tour 1974-1999. First played golf at age 17 at Luverne Country Club course. She turned pro at age 30 scoring 43 top ten finishes. Jerilyn Britz LPGA Profile
- Al McIntosh - Editor and publisher of The Rock County Star Herald, president of (forerunner to) the National Newspaper Association and the Minnesota Newspaper Association. The Al McIntosh Distinguished Service to Journalism Award is presented by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Stirring excerpts from his "More or Less Personal Chaff" weekly columns during World War II are voiced by actor Tom Hanks in The War---a 15-hour PBS documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick which held its world premiere September 6, 2007, at Luverne's Palace Theatre. McIntosh's wartime columns were published September, 2007, in Zenith Press' SELECTED CHAFF. Celebrated filmmaker Ken Burns said the columns were his greatest archival discovery in over 30 years of filmmaking.
- Frederick Manfred - Novelist and writer on universal themes mostly set in the Great Plains and West, including the regional area he named as Siouxland. His 1957 novel, RIDERS OF JUDGMENT, was adapted by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana into a 2002 Hallmark Channel movie, "Johnson County War". Writer-in-residence at University of South Dakota 1968-1983 and earlier at Macalester College in St. Paul. Father of poet and author Freya Manfred. Manfred Papers Archive at University of South Dakota I. D. Weeks Library
- John Rodman - Internationally recognized leader in the science of individualizing dosages of life-saving drugs for children with cancer and HIV. Founding member and past president of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. He led the national Pediatric Aids Clinical Trials Group core pharmacology lab. Established pharmacotherapy (clinical pharmacy) as an approved specialty in pharmacy. Cited by peers as "a pioneer in his profession." Directed one of the largest patient care divisions at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
- Lloyd Voss - 1964 Green Bay Packers first-round draft pick, member of a Vince Lombardi-coached Packers Super Bowl winner. Pittsburgh Steelers six-year defensive end starter. Missed only three games in nine NFL seasons. Enshrined in Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
- James Russell Wiggins - Executive editor of The Washington Post. Ambassador to the United Nations, appointed by LBJ. President of the American Society of Newspaper Editors 1959-60. Published The Ellsworth American in Maine until retirement at age 95. He began his career by publishing a Luverne newspaper and then edited The St. Paul Pioneer Press.
- Dick Wildung - Associated Press Football All-American 1941 and 1942, played tackle for 1940 and 1941 national champion University of Minnesota, four-year captain of Green Bay Packers, College Football Hall of Fame inductee in 1957, and Packers Hall of Fame inductee in 1973.
Politics
Luverne is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat. At the state level, Luverne is located in Senate District 22, represented by Democrat Jim Vickerman, and in House District 22A, represented by Republican Doug Magnus.
External links
References
