Cannon Falls is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,220 at the 2020 census. Located along U.S. Route 52, southeast of the Twin Cities, Cannon Falls is the home of Pachyderm Studios, where many famous musicians have recorded, including Nirvana, which recorded its 1993 album In Utero there.

Cannon Falls is named for the falls along the Cannon River and serves as the western trailhead for the Cannon Valley Trail.

History

upright=.8|thumb|left|Redeemer Episcopal, the oldest church in Cannon Falls

The first settler was Edway Stoughton. A Charles Parks settled the land that is now Cannon Falls in July 1854. Cannon Falls village proper was laid out by Richard and William Freeborn and platted in 1855 by county surveyor S. A. Hart. The village was incorporated March 10, 1857. A post office was established as Cannon River Falls in 1855, and the name was shortened to Cannon Falls in 1889. Cannon Falls was reincorporated as a city in 1905.

Three years later, on May 20, 1887, another fire began behind Ben Rodger's saloon. The saloon was one of eight wood-frame structures and all went up in flame within a half hour. Winds spread the fire across the street. Despite the efforts of firefighters, the fire continued to spread throughout the neighborhood. One building was saved by a bucket brigade. At the end of the fire, 27 businesses, along with buildings and houses were destroyed. On August 15, 2011, Barack Obama held a town hall meeting in Hannah's Bend Park on the banks of the Cannon River.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. U.S. Highway 52, State Highways 19 and 20, and County Road 24 are the main routes in the city.

Lake Byllesby, a reservoir of the Cannon River, lies just west of town.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Cannon Falls had a population of 4,220. The median age was 42.4 years. 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.4 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,855 households in Cannon Falls, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.5% were married-couple households, 20.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 4,083 people, 1,708 households, and 1,061 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,869 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 2.4% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 1,708 households, of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.9% were non-families. Of all households, 32.1% were made up of individuals, and 15% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 40 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 17% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census The director is Justin Padgett. In the late 20th century, the Library occupied Fireman's Hall, an 1888 Italianate limestone building with two arched entrances and four arched windows along the facade. Fireman's Hall is now the home of the local Historical Society.

Education

The public school district located in Cannon Falls, Minnesota was founded in 1893. It comprises Cannon Falls High School, Cannon Falls Middle School, and Cannon Falls Elementary School.

High and middle schools

The high school and middle school share a site. Enrollment in grades 6 through 12 was 750 students as of the 2017/2018 school year. As of 2023 the principal is Tim Hodges, and the district superintendent is Jeff Sampson.

; Supported sports teams

  • Football (M,W)
  • Baseball (M)
  • Basketball (M,W)
  • Cheerleading (W)
  • Cross Country (M,W)
  • Dance Team (W)
  • Drama (M,W)
  • Golf (M,W)
  • Soccer (M,W)
  • Softball (W)
  • Speech (M,W)
  • Tennis (W)
  • Track (M,W)
  • Trap shooting (M,W)
  • Volleyball (W)
  • Weightlifting (M,W)
  • Wrestling (M)

Elementary school

Grades K–5 have an enrollment total of 607 students. The current principal as of 2023 is Jennifer Chappuis.

Religion

St. Paul's Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) in Cannon Falls. The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable people

Colonel William J. Colvill, a hero of the Battle of Gettysburg, is buried in the Cannon Falls Cemetery. American singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith was born here June 13, 1986.

See also

  • Cannon Falls Public Library

References

  • Cannon Falls, MN – Official site
  • Cannon Falls Area Chamber of Commerce