Marshall’s 150th anniversary celebration and Sounds of Summer is Aug. 18-21. Visit the City of Marshall or Visit Marshall websites for more information on the schedule of events. Marshall was founded by the Winona and St. Peter Railroad (a subsidiary of the Chicago and North Western Railway) in 1872. Mrs. Mary Whitney is credited with naming the town. The following is from the News-Messenger of Lyon County on Sept. 16, 1887:

Section four of this township comprised the original site of the present village of Marshall, and its owners were as follows: C.H. Whitney, C.H. Upton, M.B. Morse, and Mrs. W.S. Stone. The horseshoe course of the Redwood river through this section caused it to be known as the “Big Bend” and here were several converging trails made by the Dakota people in the tramps from the pipestone quarries to the Minnesota River, and probably the Big Bend was an assembling ground of the tribes, for trade, hunting, etc.

At this time there were other settlers scattered at distant points, and a few were at Lynd, a trading station, which was for a time known as the “Old Town,” and was for a while the county seat. Subsequently there was a fierce conflict as to where the county seat should be located, at the old town or down at the Big Bend.

The name “Marshall” was suggested by the proximity of Lake Marshall, which was named for the fifth Governor of Minnesota, William Rainey Marshall. The government established a post office with C.H. Whitney as postmaster, and it was called Marshall. This occurred October 17, 1870, two years before the village was in existence.

In July 1872, this village was named “Marshall,” by Mrs. Mary Whitney, under the following interesting circumstances: At that time the only frame buildings here were two in number, the office of the engineers of the Northwestern road, and the low, one-story score building of Addison, Everett & Mott. This building was the scene of a famous supper prepared for the engineers and officers by Mrs. Whitney. One day in July 1872, engineer John W. Blake dashed into the “village” upon a sweat dripping pony which he had ridden from Lamberton, starting at 10:30 in the forenoon and arriving here at 4:30 in the afternoon. He stated to C.H. Whitney that the engineers and railroad officers had come to Lamberton by train, and were then on the way by teams to Marshall, and must have supper when they arrived. Mrs. Whitney levied upon whatever the country afforded, and prepared the repast in her house, and upon the arrival of the party it was conveyed to the engineers office, and there occurred the first public meal held in this place.

A large number of people came with the party, but only the “high joints” sat down to the meal in the office. During the supper the question of naming this station was actively discussed, and the following names were suggested: Ward City, Howeville, De Grafton, Stewartville, and Blake City. No agreement could be had, and W.S. Ward finally suggested that their hostess, Mrs. Whitney, should name the village. Being present, and having heard the discussion, she realized that the selection of either of the names proposed might be somewhat embarrassing, and decided that the post office designation of “Marshall” should be that of the new village, and the decision was accepted. In honor of name the village Mrs. Whitney was presented with the first selection of a residence lot upon the new plat, and fixed upon the place at the corner of Third and Lyon streets, so long afterwards the Whitney residence.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection is one of the earliest photographs taken in Marshall in the 1880s.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 W Lyon St in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.