Local Geography:Wright County from 1880 to 1920

Grade 8Buffalo Community Middle School

Fall 2009

Largest Cities inWright County 1880

1) DELANO 407 2) MONTICELLO 290 3) CLEARWATER 218 4) COKATO 174 5) ROCKFORD 159 6) BUFFALO 143 7) MONTROSE 141 8) WAVERLY 124 9) HANOVER 104

1760

Distribution of Wright County’s Population

1880 Population: 18,104

Population of 9 Largest Cities: 1,760

% 1880 Population in 9 Largest Cities: 6%

% 2008 Population in 9 Largest Cities: 55%

Major Factors Influencing Wright County Settlement in 1880

• Most people lived on farms – few in cities• RR were dominant form of transportation

(faster, efficient, cheaper)• Connections to several forms of

transportation promoted growth (i.e. Delano)

• Water transportation on the decline• Water power main industrial energy source

(lumber, flour and woolen mills)• Fertile farm lands (especially prairies) most

heavily populated

Wright County’s Population1855 504

1860 3,729

1870 9,457

1880 18,104

1890 24,157

1900 29,157

1910 28,082

1920 28,685

Local Geography

Wright County

1920

• What three cities do you hypothesize will be the largest in Wright County in 1920?

• Be prepared to explain the logic you used and prior learning that would support your hypotheses?

Explain your reasons:

• Examples:

• Roads: Which roads? Why those specifically? What will they be used for?

• Bodies of water (lakes, rivers): Which ones? Why are those more important than others?