Overview of the History of Dodge County as taken from various sources

• The first white person to visit Dodge County may have been a French fur trader from Canada.
• In 1853 Peter and Riley Mantor came to the present site of Mantorville and established their claim.
• In 1854 a small group of immigrants arrived at Mantorville. The next day they continued to Concord and erected a log hours for James M. Sumner, the first residence built in the county.
• In 1849 Dodge County was a part of Wabasha County and in 1851 it was divided between Wabasha and Dakota Counties.
• Dodge became a County in 1855.
• Early settlers were predominately English.
• The Mantorville Express (July 16, 1857), the first paper published in Dodge County lists Attorneys, a physician, Steamboat Agent, No. 11, A of F & M meet in the Masonic Hallowell, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, the Hubbell House.
• In 1865 the Dodge County Board of Commissioners chose Lots 1,2,3, of Block 22, Mantorville Village as a site for the erection of the county court house. Total cost was $15,000 and is the only original working Court House in Minnesota.
• 1858 County Commissioners divided the county into Townships.
• 1855 the first school district in Dodge County was organized.
• 1857 the Dodge County Agricultural Society was organized and held a Fair in Mantorville, the first county fair in the Minnesota Territory.

A more complete overview of early history.

Don't forget that the Historical Society has re-printed the early history of Dodge County published in 1884. [Store]

Contact:   507-635-5508 or
the Historical Society at 635-5508