Northfield

Northfield is a city in Dakota and Rice counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 17,147 at the 2000 census. Most of the city lies in Rice County, and only a small part of the city extends into Dakota County. Founded by John W. North in 1855, Northfield was an early agricultural center with many wheat and corn farms. The town also supported lumber and flour mills powered by the Cannon River. As the "wheat frontier" moved west, d... more

Northfield is a city in Dakota and Rice counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 17,147 at the 2000 census. Most of the city lies in Rice County, and only a small part of the city extends into Dakota County. Founded by John W. North in 1855, Northfield was an early agricultural center with many wheat and corn farms. The town also supported lumber and flour mills powered by the Cannon River. As the "wheat frontier" moved west, dairy operations and diversified farms replaced the wheat-based agriculture. The region has since moved away from dairy and beef operations, currently producing substantial amounts of corn, soybeans, and hogs. The local cereal producer Malt-O-Meal is one of the few remnants of Northfield's historic wheat boom, and the city's motto "Cows, Colleges, and Contentment" reflects the influence of the dairy farms. Since early in its history, Northfield has been a center of higher education. Carleton College (then Northfield College) was founded in 1866... less