City
of
Spring Valley
“Hometown Minnesota”
Spring ValleyCity Hall
201 South Broadway
Spring Valley, MN55975
Phone # 507-346-7367
Deb Zimmer – City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer (ext 203)
Val Jorgensen – Deputy Clerk (ext 201)
John Fenske – Park & Rec Director (ext 202)
Cathy Enerson – Director of Economic Development (ext 204)
WELCOME TO THE CITY OF SPRINGVALLEY
The following is information on what is available in the City of Spring Valley, important telephone numbers, City ordinances, the history of Spring Valley and much more:
POPULATION:2479(as of 2010 census)
Spring Valley was named for the numerous springs found in the area by settlers. In 1852 the first white people visited the area, Indians having largely left the vicinity. By 1853 Indian title to the land was extinguished and immigration came in a wave. Simeon Phillips settled one mile east of the present city and built the first structure in the township in 1852. A few others staked claims and moved on. In 1853 many others arrived, including T.F. Huntley who claimed land where the city is now. The first year his family lived in a shelter made of hay, later building a log hut which was the first building on the town site.
In 1855 FillmoreCounty was created. That year a group of five men from Philadelphia came to the area and formed the Spring Valley Association. They bought 180 acres of land at the present townsite for $200 in gold and platted the town of Spring Valley. The next day they returned to Iowa to get their families and returned later that year.
The next two years were active as many more settlers arrived. From the beginning, Spring Valley was a town whose business served the surrounding population of farming families. I.N. Cummings opened the first store with $300 worth of goods displayed from under his bed. By 1856 he put up the best building in town and opened the first business. In 1856 a second store opened and the first hotel opened in a hewn log structure in 1855, later moving to a frame structure in 1857. A lawyer and blacksmith soon arrived.
In May 1858, the municipality of Spring Valley had its first election and in 1872 village government was officially authorized by the legislature.
Spring Valley industry has always tended to focus on agricultural products. The Southern Minnesota Railroad was finished through town in 1875, after much effort and expense by a few citizens, and thus insured the town’s future. (A look at Forestville, which had several hundred inhabitants at this time, shows what happened to a nearby town that the railroad bypassed: it died out completely in a few years.) The railroad helped agriculture move its products. By 1882 there were five grain elevators, wheat was the major crop--FillmoreCounty being second in the state in wheat production in 1879. Later, as the soil wore out and wheat yields dropped, diversified farming consisting of corn, livestock and dairy production took over. In 1890 another railroad came through; of course none remain in operation today, trucks having totally replaced this mode of transportation.
LOCATION: Spring Valley is located on the western edge of FillmoreCounty. The county is bordered on the east by HoustonCounty, on the north by Olmsted and WinonaCounties and on the west by MowerCounty. The southern border is shared with the State of Iowa. The larger cities nearby which provide employment opportunities and shopping competition for Spring Valley are Rochester 25 miles to the north, Austin 30 miles to the west, and Decorah, Iowa, 45 miles to the southeast.
TOPOGRAPHY: The area around Spring Valley is excellent to moderately productive for farming. The city is located on the eastern edge of the area covered by the last glaciers, so it benefits from level to gently rolling topography. The glaciers also left thick deposits of rich glacial drift, or soil. Land a little further to the east, including most of the rest of Fillmore County, was not covered by glaciers and it remains steeply sloped and dissected by many streams, with only a thin layer of topsoil. Also around Spring Valley are some deeply cut river valleys and rocky bluffs. The entire county is lakeless, but it seems to make up for the loss with numerous streams and rivers. Spring Valley Creek runs through the south part of the city and eventually joins the RootRiver downstream.
GEOLOGY: Underneath the soil is limestone bedrock fractured with many cracks, caves and fissures. This type of geology is called karst, and it underlies a large part of southeast Minnesota. Karst allows surface water to enter the ground and mix freely with groundwater. If surface water is polluted by agricultural runoff, feedlots, or improperly buried waste, it will pollute the groundwater, which is depended upon for drinking water supplies.
AGRICULTURE: Spring Valley is located in a prime farming region in Minnesota and agriculture has always been the economic mainstay of the area. Today the predominant crops grown are corn and soybeans. Livestock operations are equally important products. Implement businesses and trucking industries remain strong in Spring Valley today.
“Value-added processing” is a potential opportunity which could help Spring Valley develop economically, as well as strengthen the farm economy of the area. Value-added processing means that ag products can be processed, at least partially, in the area where they are produced. In contrast, most ag products today are shipped out of the Spring Valley area: grain is exported or shipped to feedlots in the west; cattle and hogs are sent to Austin for processing; soybeans are shipped elsewhere for processing into a multitude of convenience foods. Ideas being explored elsewhere in Minnesota include making alcohol from corn and producing gasohol, making methane energy from animal wastes, processing corn for oil and syrup and growing more fruits and vegetables for direct marketing to the Rochester and TwinCities areas.
WATER: Spring Valley, like the rest of southeast Minnesota, sits over the largest aquifer of pure water in the state. While the quality of these water supplies is being threatened, the water resource remains a valuable feature that can be used to attract industry. Much of the U.S., west and south, where business has flocked in recent years, is finding that water shortages are curtailing their growth. Some have predicted that water will be the energy crisis of the next decade. To the extent that Spring Valley can help maintain clean supplies of groundwater, it may be able to attract industries, particularly in the food processing area.
TOURISM: Spring Valley sits in the heart of an area with many amenities and it seems that tourism is frequently overlooked as a possible growth industry for southeaster Minnesota. Nearby resources include two state parks, Forestville and Lake Louise, each with extensive camping, trails for snowmobiles, cross country skiing, horses and hiking. Lake Louise has the only swimming lake in the area. Forestville boasts of famous trout fishing and the historical town site including the 1905 Meighen store. MysteryCave is an impressive, well-run attraction and much can be learned about our unique karst geology from a visit there. Spring Valley is located on Highway 16, which follows the beautiful RootRiver in from the Mississippi. This scenic drive could be promoted as an alternative to Interstate 90 for tourists. The entire area can be promoted for its scenery, trout fishing, hunting, etc. Spring Valley itself already has a public swimming pool, several parks, a dump station run by the DNR, a golf course located a few miles south of town, a town historical museum,an 1878 Methodist church with its unique stained glass windows and a Laura Ingalls Wilder connection.
AMBULANCE SERVICE: The Spring Valley Ambulance Service has one full-time director and approximately 20 volunteer EMT's/First Responders. The ambulance garage is currently located at 100Emergency Drive. There are two ambulance vehicles and updated equipment. Many services are offered for the public. Non-emergency phone number to the station is 507-346-7414. Questions or comments can be directed to the ambulance director (ext. 201).
CITY OFFICES: The City of Spring Valley has an elected mayor and city council. Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each Month at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 201 South Broadway.
The City Clerk’s office is located in the CarnegieBuilding at 201 South Broadway. Office hours of City Hall are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
FIRE DEPARTMENT: The Spring Valley Fire Department has approximately 27 volunteer firefighters. The Fire Department is located in the MunicipalBuilding at 112 West Courtland.
LIBRARY: The Spring Valley Library is located at 121 W. Jefferson. It offers many services for the public. Hours are Monday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Phone: 346-2100
NURSING HOME:Spring Valley has a 50-bed nursing home in a modern facility. The nursing home is located at 800 Memorial Drive. Phone: 346-7381. They also provide assisted living residences.
CHURCHES:
Valley Christian Center610 Territorial Road346-2101
FirstBaptistChurch701 Kasten Drive346-2840
Faith United Methodist617 Maple Lane346-2830
Our Savior's Lutheran805 South Broadway346-7251
St. Ignatius Catholic213 West Franklin346-7565
First English Lutheran217 West Grant346-2793
CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS:
American Legion and AuxiliarySportsmen’s Club
Boy ScoutsVeteran's of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary
Brave Community TheatreVolunteer Ambulance EMTs
Chamber of CommerceVolunteer Firemen
Community Historical SocietyA.A. & Al-Anon
4-H ClubsCub Scouts
Garden ClubFriends of Forestville
Girl ScoutsCommunity Education
Nursing Home AuxiliaryVision 21
Ministerial AssociationToastmasters
Kiwanis Club
Spring Valley Area Community Foundation
CITY PARKS: SouthPark is located on South Highway 63 in Spring Valley. It contains 3 picnic shelters, tables and grills, two ball fields, swimming pool, volleyball courts, lighted tennis courts, play area with equipment, and a basketball court.
GrantStreetPark is located at the corner of Grant and Hudson. This park contains playground equipment, small ball field and basketball court.
NorthTowerPark is located next to the water tower at the north end of town. It contains a pavilion, basketball court and playground equipment.
Spring Creek Park has a walking/bike path, pavilion, benches and playground equipment andWillow Park has a pavilion and 9 basket Frisbee golf.
CAMPGROUNDS: The City Farm, located a couple miles east on County 8, has a campground nestled into and surrounded by pine trees. There are both electrical and non-electrical sites, a permanent porta-potty and a dump station.
Good Earth Village is a church camp and is located 5 miles northeast of Spring Valley on County 8.
Deer Creek Campground & Speedway is located 5 miles northwest of Spring Valley on Highway 63.
MUSEUMS: The MethodistChurchMuseum is also known as the LauraIngallsWilderMuseum and is located on West Courtland Street. The Washburn-ZittlemanMuseum is located across the street from the ChurchMuseum. For more information, contact the Spring Valley Historical Society at 346-7659.
FORESTVILLESTATE PARK: ForestvilleState Park is located 12 miles southeast of Spring Valley and offers a wide variety of activities for people of all ages to enjoy. For more information about the park, call 352-5111.
The park has the Historical Meighen Store and offers campgrounds, fishing areas, picnicking, hiking trails, horseback riding, snowmobile and skiing trails.
MysteryCave is located five miles west of the park. For more information call (507) 352-5111.
RECREATION ACTIVITIES: The City offers many summer activities for children and adults, including swimming lessons, open swimming and family night. The municipal swimming pool is open from early June to late August.
Summer Recreation activities are also offered by the City. The summer program runs from mid-June until early August. Tennis, softball, t-ball, and golf are just some of the activities offered.
Fall and winter activities include basketball, volleyball, football and open gym for school-age children.
The Community Center is located at 200 South Broadway and is available for meetings, dances, receptions, classes, and many other activities. Call 346-7367 ext. 201 for reservation and information.
Root River Country Club is located south of Spring Valley on Highway 63. The Country Club offers a 9- hole golf course. For more information call 346-2501.
Ag Days is usually held the third weekend in August. The celebration includes a parade, street dance, fireworks and much, much more.
Almanzo 100 mile Bike Race - This bike race started in Spring Valley in the spring of 2010. The 1000 + riders take a 100 mile round-trip bike race on gravel roads. It takes the riders down through Forestville State Park and back to the starting point in Spring Valley.
GENERAL NUMBERS:
Spring ValleyCity Hall346-7367
Spring Valley Public Utilities346-7622
Spring Valley Street Dept. & Animal Control (7a-3p)346-2992
Waste Water Treatment Plant922-0132
Spring Valley Community Center346-7787
Park and Recreation Director346-7367 ext. 202
Spring Valley Swimming Pool346-7114
MN Energy Resources (Natural Gas)(800) 889-9508
CenturyLink Residential Install & Service (800) 201-4099
24 hr. residential repair service(800)788-3600
Mediacom, LLC (Cable & Internet) (855) 633-4226
Kingsland Elementary School346-7276
Kingsland Middle School346-7276
Kingsland High School346-7276
Kingsland District Office346-7276
St. John'sLutheranSchool (Wykoff)352-4671
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: (911)
NON-EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
Spring Valley Ambulance346-7414 (non-emergency)
Spring Valley Police Department346-2700 (non-emergency)
Spring Valley Fire Department346-2150
Olmsted Medical Center346-7373
Spring Valley Public Utilities346-7622
POLICE: Fillmore County Sheriff's Department has three full-time deputies working in the City of Spring Valley. The police department is in the MunicipalBuilding, 112 West Courtland.
PROFESSIONAL and MEDICAL SERVICES: The city has a medical clinic, two dentist offices, an optometrist office, a veterinarian clinic and a chiropractic clinic.
NEWSPAPER: There is one local weekly newspaper and a weekly shopper. Spring Valley Tribune & Bluff Country Reader. Phone: 346-7365.
TRANSPORTATION: RochesterAirport is located 18 miles north of Spring Valley on Highway 63. FillmoreCountyAirport is located 12 miles east of Spring Valley on Highway 16. Interstate 90 is located 17 miles north and 16 miles west from Spring Valley.
Rochester City Lines offers buses from Spring Valley to Rochester and back home daily. For more information, please call (507) 288-4353 or toll-free at (888) 368-4874.
SCHOOLS: KingslandSchool District is made up of the Elementary School, Middle School and the High School. The schools offer excellent education and a broad range of extra-curricular activities.
Superintendents Office705 North Section Avenue346-7276
Elementary School, Middle School
and High School 705 North Section Avenue346-7276
UTILITIES:
Electrical and Water Service:
These utilities are provided by the Spring Valley Public Utilities which is located at 104 South Section Avenue. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Phone: 346-7622.
Natural Gas:
Natural Gas is provided by MN Energy Resources. Phone: (800) 889-9508.
Garbage:
Sunshine Sanitation provides trash and recycling service for the City of Spring Valley. Trash is picked up every week and recycling is picked up every other week. For more information, please call 507-285-5550
BURNING WITHIN CITY LIMITS: The only burning allowed within City limits is a 3 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft.recreational fire. No burning of garbage is allowed. There also must be someonein the presence of
the fire at all times.
Composting Site: The city maintains this site for leaves, yard clippings and branches. The site is located behind KingslandHigh School on North Section. Access to the site is on Farmer Street, across the driveway from the Waste Water Treatment Facility. No refuse, building materials, or other such substances is strictly prohibited from being dumped at this site.
ORDINANCES
Parking(SECTION 9.09. PARKING HOURS):
The parking ordinance prohibits vehicles from being parked on any city street between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. for the months of November through March, with the exception of those that obtain a permit allowing them to park on the street because of unusual and extraordinary circumstances. Visitors to our community are also exempted for a period of four days. This ordinance is designed to allow for snow plowing.
Central Business District(SECTION 9.10. ADDITIONAL PARKING RESTRICTIONS). The downtown area bordered on the north and east by Highway 63, on the west by Washington Avenue, and on the south by Park Street is designated as the Central Business District. In the Central Business District, there is NO PARKING from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. No person shall park on or permit any vehicle or trailer to stand for more than two hours on Broadway Avenue between the intersections of Jefferson on the north and Park Street on the south. This ordinance is valid all year long.
Grass and Weeds(SECTION 7.09. REGULATION OF GRASS, WEEDS AND TREES):
It is the responsibility of each property owner or occupant of any lot or parcel of land to maintain any weeds or grass growing on their property at a height of not more than six inches. Each owner of property abutting on any street is required to keep the grass and weeds cut in the boulevard. Grass and weeds must not attain the height of six inches or more. It is unlawful to blow grass in the streets when mowing. It clogs the sewer drains.
Dog/Cat Ordinances (SECTION 10.04. DOG AND CAT REGULATION AND LICENSING):
Licensing (Subd. 2. License):
It is required that all dogs and cats be licensed. Rabies vaccinations are also required before a license and tag can be issued. New or expired tags must be obtained at City Hall by May 31 of each year. Please bring in with you your rabies vaccination papers from your veterinarian.
Public Nuisance (Subd. 8. Public Nuisance):
It is required that all pet owners keep clean the area in which the dog or cat is kept harbored. It is also considered a public nuisance to allow your dog or cat to persist in continual noise making, such as, but not limited to, barking, whining or crying in such spans of time as to disturb the comfort of people surrounding the immediate area.