Lorain Township is a township in Nobles County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 278 at the 2000 census.

Geography

thumb|left|Map of Lorain Township - 1914

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.1&nbsp;square miles (90.9&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), of which 34.8&nbsp;square miles (90.2&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) is land and 0.3&nbsp;square mile (0.8&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) (0.83%) is water. The main geographic feature of Lorain Township is the Okabena Creek which bisects the township from east to west. The northern portion of East Lake Ocheda is also found within Lorain Township.

Main highways include:

  • 20px Interstate 90
  • 20px Minnesota State Highway 264
  • 20px Nobles County Road 1
  • 20px Nobles County Road 3
  • 20px Nobles County Road 5
  • 20px Nobles County Road 35
  • 20px Nobles County Road 36

History

Organization of Lorain Township was approved by the Nobles County Board on September 3, 1872. The township was originally christened Fairview Township, and that name was used for nearly two years until the state auditor notified county officials that another Fairview Township existed elsewhere in the state (although two Fairview Townships currently exist within Minnesota). On July 5, 1874, the township was renamed Lorain Township after Loraine, Illinois. The change in spelling was made to differentiate the township from Loraine, Illinois.

Demographics

As of the census