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New Ulm was founded by two groups of German immigrants both looking to create a “utopian German community on the American wilderness” in 1854. Using the advice of a French fur trader, they cited their town on the natural terraces that occurred at the confluence of the Minnesota and Cottonwood Rivers in south-central Minnesota.
The biggest historical event in New Ulm’s history happened shortly after its beginning with the
U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862, when New Ulm was attacked twice that August. Barely surviving the fighting by the disgruntled and ill-treated Dakota Indians, the town was nearly destroyed and was even briefly abandoned after the attacks. Soon after the settlers returned and went about their business of town-building, New Ulm survived locust infestations in the early 1870s and a damaging tornado in 1881.
Brewing, grain milling, brick-making and cigar-making were initial businesses that thrived and with the arrival of the railroads in 1872, New Ulm was connected to the rest of the country in an efficient manner. The arrival of the German-Bohemains in the 1870s also contributed to civic growth.
The erection of the Hermann Monument in 1897 to an ancient German hero, boldly proclaimed New Ulm’s strong German heritage, although that would come under attack twenty years later. The year 1917 was a tough year on America and New Ulm, in particular. The Turners, still a leading social force in New Ulm, led a rally protesting America’s involvement in World War I and afterward, the Governor removed our Mayor, City Attorney and County Treasurer from office for misconstrued “treasonous” speeches. Subduing the strong German culture in New Ulm became necessary for the next few years.
Leading New Ulm back to prominence was the national popularity of old-time music that came from New Ulm artists such as, Whoopee John Wilfahrt, Fezz Fritsche and Harold Loeffelmacher. The rediscovery and pride in New Ulm’s German heritage that came from this period led to a promotion of New Ulm as a tourist attraction, evidenced most noticeably by Polka Days that began in 1953.
Today, New Ulm thrives in the Minnesota River valley with diverse businesses led by Kraft Foods, 3M, trucking, A.M.P.I.’s butter and dairy output, along with the N.U. Medical Center and numerous machining businesses. The population has remained steady, partially due to its limiting, but beautiful, valley setting.
New Ulm’s setting in the river valley contrasts with the otherwise flat prairie of the region. This beauty, combined with a diverse economic structure, and a strong “sense of place” and history makes New Ulm a star in Minnesota’s list of “must see” places. We invite to visit us and see what we mean!
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