Guide to Crookston Minnesota

Crookston (city)	1970	1980	1990	2000	1990-2000 Change
Crookston (city)	1970	1980	1990	2000	Actual	Percent
Population	8,312	8,628	8,119	8,192	73	0.90
Land Area (sq. mile)	3.70	4.87	4.67	4.94	0.27	5.75
Density (persons per sq. mile)	2,246.49	1,771.66	1,738.54	1,658.79	-79.75	-4.59
Housing Units	2,815	3,407	3,289	3,382	93	2.83
Households	--	3,098	2,981	3,078	97	3.25
Persons Per Household	--	2.57	2.49	2.37	-0.12	-4.77

Crookston sits in the fertile Red River Valley. The Valley was once a part of glacial Lake Agassiz. As Lake Agassiz receded, it left behind rich mineral deposits. This made the area around Crookston prime for agricultural uses. Grains like wheat and other crops like sugar beets and potatoes grow well in the immediate area around Crookston.

Crookston has a relatively flat landscape. The Red Lake River flows through the city and makes several twists and turns (oxbows). Crookston has experienced some erosion of the riverbank lately. A recent minor landslide has led the city to seek a permanent solution to such problems.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.8 km² (4.9 mi²), all land.

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,192 people, 3,078 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density was 640.3/km² (1,658.8/mi²). There were 3,382 housing units at an average density of 264.3/km² (684.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.25% White, 0.50% African American, 1.54% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.64% from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.81% of the population.

There were 3,078 households out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 14.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,609, and the median income for a family was $44,157. Males had a median income of $30,564 versus $21,021 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,219. About 7.5% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Early history
The area in which Crookston is located was virtually unoccupied during pre-European contact and remained little more than a hunting ground associated with the Pembina settlements until the 1860s. The land in the immediate vicinity of Crookston is not connected with any verifiable Native American or European historic events or circumstances until transfer in the "Treaty of Old Crossing" of 1863 and the "Treaty of Old Crossing" of 1864. Prior to that time, the territory now included in Crookston was technically a part of Rupert's Land and Assiniboia before becoming part of British Canada as a result of the boundary settlement in the Treaty of 1818.

The area in which Crookston is located was likely traversed by trappers and traders including Ojibwa (or Chippewa) and Sioux Indians, Metis, and other mixed-race people as well as white men incidental to the fur trade between 1790 and 1870.

Settlement
The present day site of Crookston first saw settlement by non-Indian people around 1872. It was the site of a federal land office by 1876 and sited on a portion of the Great Northern Railway which began operations prior to 1880. The town was incorporated on April 1, 1879 as "Queen City." By the end of that year, the town boasted a jail, graded streets, and a few plank sidewalks. Soon, it was decided that the town needed a new name. Two factions emerged that supported two different names. One group wished to honor the town's first mayor, Captain Ellerey C. Davis, by renaming "Queen City" to "Davis." Another group picked the name "Crookston" to honor Colonel William Crooks, a soldier and railroad builder. The present day name was reportedly chosen by means of a coin toss.

Soon, immigrants from Scandinavia and Germany begin populating Crookston. At one point, eight different railroad lines reached Crookston and the town became a center of commerce and manufacturing.

Recent history
Today, Crookston is the site of the University of Minnesota Crookston which began as an agricultural high school and college and has since become a four-year institution with a full college curriculum. The city has not seen a major period of population growth for quite some time and the economy has suffered from increased competition from nearby Grand Forks, North Dakota. Typical of many small towns across America, many buildings in the historic downtown area of Crookston have been abandoned as local stores have closed.

CROOKSTON, the county seat, first settled in 1872, incorporated as a city February 14, 1879, was named in honor of Col. William Crooks of St. Paul, who was the chief engineer in locating the first railroad here, then known as the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, which was constructed in 1872 from Glyndon through Crookston to the Snake River at the site of Warren in Marshall County. He was born in New York City, June 20, 1832; was graduated from the department of civil engineering at West Point Military Academy; settled in St. Paul in 1857 as engineer for this railroad; served as colonel of the Sixth Minnesota Regiment in the Civil War; was a representative in the state legislature, 1875-77, and a state senator, 1881; died in Portland, Ore., December 17, 1907. The first locomotive used in Minnesota, in 1862, was named William Crooks in his honor.

His father, Ramsay Crooks, who was born in Greenock, Scotland, January 2, 1787, and died in New York City, June 6, 1859, was probably also intentionally honored by the adoption of this name. As a member, and subsequently president, of the American Fur Company, he was well known throughout the Northwest. During many years he was identified with the fur trade in Minnesota and had great influence with the Indians.

Employer	Products/Services	Employees
Riverview Healthcare Assn	General Medical & Surgical Hospitals	600
Crookston Public Schools	Elementary & Secondary Schools	300
American Crystal Sugar Co	Beet Sugar Mfg.	250
University of Minnesota-Crookston	Colleges, Universities, & Prof. Schools	240
New Flyer of America (MN) Inc	Motor Vehicle Body Mfg.	212
Villa St Vincent	Nursing Care Facilities	175
Dahlgren & Co	Roasted Nuts & Peanut Butter Mfg.	163
Dee Inc Foundry & Mfg	Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries	160
Hugo's	Supermarkets & Other Grocery (exc. Convenience) Stores	100
Phoenix Industries of Crookston Ltd.	All Other Plastics Prod. Mfg.	100
Occupational Development Ctr	Vocational Rehabilitation Services	80
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Inc	Other Individual & Family Services	70
Altru Clinic	Offices of Physicians (exc. Mental Health Specialists)	68
Bremer Bank-Crookston	Other Depository Credit Intermediation	65
Crookston, City of	Admin. of Human Res.Prog. (exc.Educ, Pub.Health & Vet Aff Prog)	65

AmericInn Lodge & Suites
1821 University Avenue
Crookston, MN 56716
Phone: (218) 281-7800
Toll Free: (800) 634-3444
Web: www.americinnofcrookston.com

Built in 1997-- newest lodging facility in Crookston! Fifty rooms including, large indoor pool & spa, fireside conversation area in lobby with library, guest laundry facility, and deluxe continental breakfast. Now offering FREE WIRELESS HIGH SPEED INTERNET!

Golf Terrace Motel
1731 University Avenue
Crookston, MN 56716
Phone: (218) 281-2626

Under new ownership, completely refurbished with restaurants and shopping nearby. No smoking rooms available. Pets are welcome.

Northland Inn
2200 University Avenue
Crookston, MN 56716
Phone: (218) 281-5210
Web: www.northlandprairieinn.com

Northland Inn, the only full-service hotel in Crookston with 73 sleeping rooms featuring king or queen-size beds, an extra large pool area with hot tub and games. Fire-side chats in our lobby and newly renovated rooms add to the cozy feeling. Now offering HIGH SPEED WIRELESS INTERNET!

Central Park
North Ash and Mitchell Lane
Crookston, MN 56716
Phone: (218) 281-1232

Facilities: Camping for RVs $12 per night or $10 a tent per night, 20 sites with hookups. Showers and restrooms, grills, boat landing, ice skating rink with warming house and rink lights (winter season), picnic area and playground equipment.