A Brief History
The natural beauty that attracted Robert Ridley to start a town here is still enjoyable today.
Mr. Ridley constructed the first log cabin in the early 1850's. His wife Esther, the first white woman in the town, had the first baby born here and had the community named after her.
The school system we have today got its start in 1859 in the Ridley cabin.
The first courthouse was built in 1883 and was located between the present library and courthouse. That structure was torn down in 1958 when the present courthouse was constructed.
The peaceful beauty that abounds at Fort Defiance State Park has its roots in one of the worst Indian outbreaks in U.S. History. The summer of 1862 was when a terrible Indian rampage occurred. Fort Defiance was built near the comer of First Avenue South and South 6th Street for protection.
The Estherville Meteorite is world famous. The largest meteor fall on record landed two miles north of Estherville in May of 1879. It created interest world wide and parts of it are in international museums with a large piece being located in the Estherville Library.
Estherville was a railroad town. Many different lines used to run through town, with the first train arriving in June of 1882. Both the town and railroad grew. At one time, the Rock Island employed more than 500 people.
Estherville was a division point for the Rock Island and was an important East-West connecting point. But with the advent of diesel locomotives and the Great Depression of the 1930's, the impact the railroad had on Estherville declined. At one time, ten passenger trains went through town per day. The railroad era finally passed on in 1955 when the roundhouse was closed.
As that era was coming to an end, local business people saw the need to diversify the economy and established the Estherville Packing Co.
The Scout Cabin in Riverside Park is a remnant from the earliest times in Estherville. It was built in 1861 and moved to its present site in 1935. The History of Emmet County, Vol. 3 and Esther's Town provides more history of Estherville.
| LINKS | MAY | JUNE |
| Permit Applications | May 3 5:00 p.m. Council Meeting | June 7 5:00 p.m. Council Meeting |
| City Maps | May 11 5:15 p.m. Board of Adjustment | June 8 5:15 p.m. Board of Adjustment |
| City Code | May 17 5:00 p.m. Council Meeting | June 21 5:00 p.m. Council Meeting |
| Zoning Code | May 31 Memorial Day - Offices Closed | |
| Council Minutes |