History

• The City of Gibbon was founded in the year 1879 by August Peterson.
• Gibbon is located in Sibley County, off Highway 19. It is near Clear Lake and Mud Lake, as well as 8-mile Creek.
• Gibbon was a railroad town and pioneer settlement founded in 1879. It was named after General John Gibbon, who was the Commander of Fort Snelling at the time.
• Like many Minnesota cities, Gibbon is largely composed of the descendents of German and Scandinavian immigrants.
• The Gibbon City Hall was built in 1895 for the then-large sum of 6-thousand-170 dollars. Brick from Chaska and granite from Morton were used to create the fortress-like appearance. The building is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
• At one time there were as many as seven saloons in Gibbon, four car dealerships, and three grocery stores.
• For almost 60 years, the Gibbon City Hall was the center of life for the community. It hosted everything from traffic court to silent movies. Other events at City Hall included: festivals, graduations, wedding receptions, talent shows, band practices, masquerade balls, city council meetings, basketball games, concerts, medicine shows, and it served as the town jail as well. Eventually, groups built their own centers for their dinners and events, and the school added a gymnasium and auditorium. City Hall’s doors were gradually closed.
• For decades Gibbon had been the sight of one of the most renowned Polka Festivals in the entire country. When Garrison Keillor held his “Prairie Home Companion Show” there, in the late 90′s he announced that the city of Gibbon had more hard maple flooring per capita than any place in the world. The actress Susan Sarandon narrated a public television special that once aired about the ballroom.
• There is an old city ordinance which bans women in taverns after ten PM. It would be an awkward ordinance for the city to enforce, since all three of the taverns in Gibbon are owned by women.
• The Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Thunderbirds were State Football Champs in 1989.

Businesses

• Gibbon shares a school district with the communities of Fairfax and Winthrop, to form G-F-W. Their mascot is the Thunderbird. The elementary school is located in Gibbon.
• One of Gibbon’s major employers is Northern Insulation.
• Gibbon is home to one of the office of South Central Grain and Energy. The co-op was formerly known as South central Co-Op, but merged with United Grain and Energy. The main office is in Fairfax, with branch offices in Franklin, Hector, and Cosmos, as well. The General Manager is Gene Lutteke. {LUD-kee}

Festivals & Events

• Gibbon only has one event for the year and it’s a doozy. “Summer Funfest” is Gibbon’s celebration of summer and fun. It features all the things you would expect in a summer festival, including music, food, and games. Gibbon Summer Funfest takes place in mid-July.
• Volleyball will be held each Monday at 7 pm at the City Park starting June 1st through August.
• Every Friday night throughout the months of June and July, The City of Gibbon hosts Music in the Park. The Gibbon Area Band of Renown, which has been in existence for so many decades that people have lost count, plays. Each Friday a different civic or religious organization sponsors a pie sale during the concert in the park.

People

• The City of Gibbon has approximately 800 people and the Mayor is Jeff Gatton.
• In 2011 Ben Beranek was presented the Gibbon Citizen of the Year Award for his more than 28 years of service to the community. The award was presented by outgoing Gibbon Mayor Dennis Nau during his final city council meeting.
• Gibbon held their first annual Winter Fest in 2011. A snowman building contest, a frosty kickball tournament, carriage rides, music, and lots of different chances to eat.
• The City of Gibbon held their 2011 Fireman’s Dance at the South 80 Social Circle in September 2011. Crowned Miss Gibbon 2011 was Alicia Evenson, the daughter of James and Naomi Evenson. Crowned Gibbon Princess as well as Miss Congeniality was Kelly Becker, the daughter of Curt and Shelly Becker.
• A Gibbon man spent much of the month of January in 2010 in Haiti, including during the earthquake that left much of the island nation devastated. 21-year old Brandon Bode helped with building and repair projects over a 2-week period at an orphanage about 10-miles south of Port-au-Prince. Bode was part of a mission trip working with the orphanage “God’s Littlest Angel.” His team was led by Rhyan Buettner, the niece of gibbon residents Dan and Maggie Buettner, and the 2 helped escort 83 Haitian children to the U-S upon their return.
• Gibbon resident Steve Rubishko was the winner of the 2010 KNUJ Ag Sweepstakes. He won over $6,000 in ag mechandise to take home to his 259 acre farm with cattle and hogs, as well as corn and beans.
• The City of Gibbon crowned a new Miss Gibbon in 2010 during the annual Firemen’s Dance. Kari Taralseth, the daughter of Jesse and Lisa Taralseth was crowned Miss Gibbon 2010. Crowned Gibbon Princess was Karissa Schwecke, the daughter of merlin and Lisa Schwecke. Miss Congeniality was Hannah Rider, daughter of Michael and Linda Rider.

Click on the title below to listen to the Town Days Podcasts

• 2nd Assistant Fire Chief Beatle

  22 Feb 12

• Gibbon Fun Fest Staci Johnson

  22 Feb 12

• March of Dimes Steph Thorson

  22 Feb 12