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History of Fairmont
The original citizens of the Fairmont area were the Winnebago Indians, who lived by hunting and fishing. The first recorded white people to visit the area where John C. Premont and his French associate, Joseph N. Nicollet, in June 1838. These men established Fort Tchan Hassan near the headwaters of the Des Moines River.
The
first permanent settlers, in what is now the City of Fairmont were E.
Banks Hall and Willian H. Budd. In June 1857, these people built their
homes on the lakes that still bear their names. Mr. Budd recorded that
in January of 1857, twenty men, nine women and twenty-three children
lived in the Fairmont area.
Fairmont was platted in October 1857, by the Des Moines and Watonwan
Land Company, who also named the town for the rolling hills surrounding
the adjacent lakes. The original name was Fair Mount, but this was
later changed to Fairmont. Fairmont had the first post office in Martin
County, dedicated on October 9, 1858, with William Budd as the first
postmaster.
Fort Fairmount was established in 1862, shortly after the start of the Dakota (Sioux) Indian uprising, which terrified settlers throughout southern Minnesota. With the end of the Civil War and the subsiding of Indian troubles, Fort Fairmount was abandoned. This site is now marked by a plaque attached to a large native stone near the present courthouse. Closely following the inevitable hard times after the Civil war, the "Grasshopper Plague" of 1873-1877 descended on the impoverished farmers and many were forced to abandon their holding and leave the country. This gloomy picture was brightened by the arrival of English immigrants during the period from 1873-1878. They came to develop new methods of growing beans, spent their money lavishly, built a number of beautiful homes and brightened the hillsides with their scarlet fox hunting attire.
When railroads came, prosperity followed, and towns sprang up in every direction. The first train came to Fairmont in July 1878, when the village was only twenty years old. As cities go, Fairmont was yound, vigorous, alert and busy. It was busy supplying the needs of a little empire right in the middle of North America.
Even in the lean years of the 1930's, when drought depleted most sections of the Midwest, Fairmont enjoyed fair-to-good business conditions while other communicites were existing on government relief checks. With a vast trading area, both wholesale and retail, Fairmont has remained stable. In fact, one economic nose-dives can be remembered by the oldest inhabitants.
Fairmont enjoysthe enviable distinction of not having a bank failure during the memorable 1930's when bank failures were so prevalent. The faith of the pioneers, who but three generations ago selected this area as a home, has been justified. Nothing as ever been lost through abiding faith in this area.
Fairmont's future is as exciting as it's past - Fairmont's potential is unlimited!