Rochester, Minnesota


Rochester is located in the southeastern part and is the third largest city in the U.S. State of Minnesota. Rochester is home to the world-famous Mayo Clinic, the first and largest, not-for-profit group medical practice in the world. The city has a rich shopping scene with a variety of one-of-a-kind independent shops. Rochester is consistently named as one of the nation's top cities to live.



To See And To Do In Rochester


  • Mayo Clinic Tour
  • Historic Chateau Theatre
  • Assisi Community Center
  • Heritage House
  • Mayowood Mansion
  • Plummer House
  • History Center of Olmsted County
  • Douglas State Trail
  • Quarry Hill Nature Center
  • Rochester Park System (Over 100 City Parks)
  • The Apache Mall
  • The Shops at University Square (The Galleria)


History Of Rochester - Timeline


In 1854, Rochester was founded by the baker George Head. He built the first permanent home and the same year he opened Rochester's first street, which is now Broadway. In 1855, the post office was established. In 1856, the Stoppel brothers from Germany built a barn and a stone house. The Stoppel Farmstead stands today as a national register historic site. In 1857, the land was free and over 700 settlers came to Rochester.

In 1858, Rochester was incorporated as a city. In 1863, William Worrall Mayo (the founder of the Mayo Clinic) came to Rochester. In 1864, the railroad was built in Rochester. In 1883, a tornado strikes the city and killed 37 people and destroyed a third of the buildings. the world-renowned Mayo Clinic was founded after the tornado. In 1889, the St. Marys Hospital opened. (Mayo Clinic).

In 1900, more than 6,800 people lived in the city. In 1919, the Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale was founded. In 1924, Dr. Henry and Mrs. Plummer's home was built. In 1925, the newspaper Post-Bulletin was founded. In 1927, the Chateau Theatre opened and the Plummer Building (on the Mayo Clinic campus), opened.

In 1928, the Rochester International Airport opened and regular passenger service began. In 1931, the water tower was built. In 1956, the IBM building were build. In 1961, the Think Mutual Bank was founded. In 1966, the University of Minnesota Rochester was established. In 1978, 5 people were killed and 5,000 residents had to leave their homes because of a large amount of rain and flood. In 2004, the skyscraper Broadway Plaza was completed.