About Luverne

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What makes Luverne such a great place? 

 Watch the video and find out why we "Love the Life" in Luverne!

 

Love the Life! Video 

 

 

History of Luverne

 

In 1867, the first mail route was mapped from Blue Earth, Minnesota, to Yankton, South Dakota.  Philo Hawes, the man who first mapped Luverne, stopped at his regular camping grounds on the Blue Mounds.  He discovered that better land lay more to the south.  He then traveled to the present site of the Public Works Department in Luverne and built a stable large enough to hold six horses.  This stable, which was created from poles and clay, was the very beginning of present day Luverne.  Mr. and Mrs. Hawes named the city after their daughter, Luverne.

 

In 1871, the very first school was founded in Luverne.  The first high school was established in July 1883, and in 1888, two students finished the four-year study course becoming the first graduating class of Luverne High School.

 

On October 2, 1876, the first passenger train arrived in the village of Luverne. The city of Luverne was later incorporated on February 14, 1877. Today, the city of Luverne has a population of approximately 4,946 people, and is the county seat of Rock County.  There are nine towns in Rock County: Hardwick, Kenneth, Magnolia, Beaver Creek, Hills, Steen, Ash Creek, Kanaranzi, and part of Jasper, which also lies in Pipestone County.

 

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Local Government

 

The City of Luverne operates under a Council-Administrator form of government that is specified in the City Charter.  The powers of the Council are policy setting and legislative in nature, along with appointing a City Administrator.  The Mayor and Aldermen are elected for two-year and four-year terms respectively.  Day to day management oversight is the responsibility of the City Administrator.  The functional divisions consist of Administration, Finance, Public Works, and Public Utilities.  Department Heads manage their respective areas of responsibility and work closely with the Administrator. 
 
The City Council meets in regular sessions on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m.  The meetings are held in the city offices complex located at 305 E Luverne St. In 2007, city offices changed location from Main Street Luverne to 305 E Luverne St, to what was the old hospital.  It was remodeled and provides much additional space.  City Offices occupy the eastern wing of the building, the western wing is occupied by Sanford Luverne Hospice & Home Health, Minnesota West Community and Technical College occupies the north area . 
 

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City of Luverne Mission Statement

Luverne is a growing city in a rural environment. Our unique location as the cornerstone of southwest Minnesota affords viable options to continue growth. We provide high quality municipal services at affordable cost. We take a leadership role in providing housing and employment. This effort, combined with excellent health, educational, cultural, religious, and recreational opportunities, results in favorable social and economic environment.

 

We continually evaluate existing services and strive to be a leader by anticipating and solving municipal problems. We envision a community that continues to play an aggressive role in development, employment, and housing opportunities for the region. We strive to actively promote and participate in public/private endeavors that result in an expanded tax base and help to develop a sense of self-reliance for the City and the Region.