Grand Prairie Township is a township in Nobles County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 9,925 at the 2000 census.

Geography

thumb|left|Map of Grand Prairie Township - 1914

thumb|left|Homestead Certificate for Grand Prairie Township signed by President [[Chester Arthur]]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all land. The main geographic features of Grand Prairie Township include the numerous branches of the Norwegian Creek that extend throughout much of the township. The main branch of the Kanaranzi Creek also flows through the northwest corner Grand Prairie Township.

Main highways include:

  • 20px Minnesota State Highway 91
  • 20px Nobles County Road 6
  • 20px Nobles County Road 8

History

Organization of Grand Prairie Township was approved by the Nobles County Board on September 22, 1873, though settlers has taken up root in the township as early as 1871. The first township meeting was held on October 30, 1873. There were originally three names proposed for the new township: Colfax, Grand Prairie, and Union Township. The Nobles County Board liked Grand Prairie Township best, and that is why the name was chosen. Grand Prairie Township is in the extreme southwestern corner of Nobles County. One of the first settlers of Grand Prairie Township is known in history only as "Uncle" Stillwell. Mr Stillwell made a claim in section 29 where the town of Ellsworth now stands. He established a small store on his farmstead, supplying the needs of local farmers. He also operated a peddler's wagon in the vicinity. Mr. Stillwell had great confidence in the future of the region. However, Stillwell packed up and left the area in 1882, two years before the town of Ellsworth was established.

The picture above is a homestead certificate issued to Alphonso Hall in 1882 and signed by President Chester A Arthur. This Homestead certificate is for a parcel of land in the southwest quarter of Section 34. In December 1871, the state of Minnesota granted all odd numbered sections of land extending along the proposed right-of-way of the St. Paul & Sioux City Railway Company to that company. This was the so-called "ten-mile limit" extending for on either side of any rail line planned by a railroad company. Even-numbered sections had been retained by the government for homestead or for sale to actual settlers. Alphonso Hall and his family are listed on the 1880 Federal Census roster for Grand Prairie township, though not on the 1875 census.

Demographics

As of the census