History

• The City of Young America was founded in the year 1856. Norwood was founded in 1881. The 2 cities became a single city in 1997.
• Norwood Young America {NYA} is located in Carver County on Highways 212, 5, and 25.
• NYA is located near 2 lakes: Eagle Lake and Hydes Lake.
• Young America was settled by people of both English and German descent. The 1st sign of tension was a dispute over what the town should be called. James Slocum named the town Young America, but the Germans wanted it called Teuteburg. The Germans reportedly lettered the name on a board leading into town, but when a team of runaway oxen destroyed the sign, it was seen as a bad omen. They then wanted to name the town Florence, but when it was discovered that there was already a town in Minnesota with that name, Young America was agreed upon.
• In 1872, the Hastings and Dakota Division of the Milwaukee and St. Louis Railroad was built, leaving Young America a mile away because the residents refused to pay a charge. James Slocum then moved near the tracks and founded Young America Station. In 1874, through a special act of the state legislature, the name was changed to Norwood, in honor of Slocum’s best friend.
• Norwood had a population of 334 when it was incorporated in 1881. In 1880, Young America had a population of 151. All earlier census reports were destroyed by a fire. In 1914 the town of Norwood was almost destroyed by a fire that started at the 2 elevators of the Reliance Company. The Norwood Times reported that a “well-known character was dragged from the elevator. Sparks from his pipe were believed to be the cause of the fire.”
• The 1st baby born in Norwood was Frank Effertz, born on November 15, 1873.
• In the late 1800′s, Norwood used to have horse races on Main Street.
• The modern age was ushered into Norwood in 1910 when Chris Effertz, Ed Bauermeister, and George Bradley purchased 3 automobiles in the Cities. The drive from Minneapolis took 5 hours, and people lined the streets to witness the arrival of the horseless carriages.
• The merger of the Cities of Norwood and Young America was approved by voters on November 9th, 1995. The Young America vote results were: 309 “yes” votes and 200 “no” votes; in Norwood: 295 “yes” votes and 107 “no” votes.

Businesses

• Norwood Young America {NYA} shares a school district with the communities of Hamburg and Cologne. District 108′s Central High School is located in NYA. Their nickname is the Raiders.
• Some of NYA’s major employers include: the Young America Corporation, which produces premium fulfillment house-coupons; Duebers, a dry goods office and warehouse; Lano Equipment, an implement dealer; and the town’s 2 banks, State Bank of Young America and Citizen’s Bank of Norwood Young America.
• Many residents of NYA are employed at the nearby Bongard’s Creamery. Bongards makes good cheese and other dairy products.
• After 20 years of being known as Kube’s Supper Club, the popular NYA restaurant was renamed the establishment “Crossroads Restaurant and Bar” by owners, Tim and Trudy Worm, and Kevin and Chris Feltmann. The menu was also updated and renovation work was done.

Festivals & Events

• The Norwood Young America {NYA} Legion hosts a chicken barbeque every year on the 3rd Sunday in July.
• NYA’s big summer festival is Stiftungsfest, which means Founders Day Celebration. It has been celebrated for over 140 years, and is hailed as the longest-running festival in the state of Minnesota. It is traditionally held in late August, and features the usual extravaganza of German bands, ethnic foods, live music, softball and baseball tournaments, carnival rides, and lots of other fun events for the whole family. A Stiftungsfest Parade is held every other year.

People

• The City of Norwood Young America {NYA} has population of approximately 3,100 people. The Mayor is Tina Diedrick.
• The Norwood Young America City Council approved a graffiti ordinance for the city in 2011. This came after multiple businesses and properties were vandalized in the town over the summer. The ordinace was modeled after those found in Chanhassen and Elk River. It requires the perpetrator of the graffiti to remove it, if they get caught. If the vandal is under 18 years of age the parents or legal guardians would be responsible for removing the graffiti or paying to have it removed as well. If the perpetrator is not caught, the ordinance puts the responsibility of removing the graffiti on the property owner within 14 days of notification.
• Stiftungsfest 2011 marked the festival’s 150th anniversary. The “Founder’s Fest” has been recognized as Minnesota’s oldest continuously-running festival. The sesquicentennial Stiftungsfest took place in August 2011 and included a 125-unit parade, a beard-growing contest, and for the first time ever – a Stiftungsfest medallion hunt.
• The Central Middle and High School building in Norwood Young America was ready for it’s students after a busy construction filled summer in 2011. The building was under construction and new ventilation systems were installed, as well as the auditorium being completely remodeled, and part of the rook and numerous windows were replaced.
• The Oak Grove Redevelopment Project in Norwood Young America was honored at state and national levels in 2011. The project involved redeveloping more than 2 acres of the former Oak Grove Dairy plant into a new 10,000 square foot public library, a 7,500 square foot city hall, 50 units of market rate senior housing and an office for the town deputy. Oak Grove Dairy ceased operations in Norwood Young America in 2004, and the redevelopment project was completed in 2010. It was also honored by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota and the National Association of Counties honored the innovative initiative.
• Carver County Dairy Princess Chaneen Haler, the daughter of Rick Haler and Connie Helget of Norwood, was one of twelve finalists in the contest for the title of 2011 Princess Kay of the Milky Way.
• Crowned Norwood Young America’s royalty in 2011: Miss Stiftungsfest was Emily Koloc. Her Princesses were Afton Wolter and Bailey Cook, who was also named Miss Congeniality.

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

• NYA Chamber II

  20 Feb 12

• Dairy Expo-Carver County Extension

  20 Feb 12

• NYA Chamber of Commerce

  20 Feb 12