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Interesting Facts
- Chippewa City was platted on the west bank of the Chippewa River in 1868, and Montevideo was platted on the east bank in 1870. When the legislature awarded Montevideo the county seat in 1870, Chippewa City lost its residents and ceased to exist – until replicas of its 23 buildings were rebuilt in 1965 as a historic attraction.
- The evocatively named Lac Qui Parle actually takes its French name from an original Dakota term that means "the lake that speaks." This description stems largely from the lake's prominence as a migratory stop for birds. When the creatures stop off in transit, their calls and cries make the lake come alive and give it a distinctive voice – if only for a time.
- Although not a large town – its population is around 5300 – Montevideo has plenty to offer, from history to golf to culture. And even if its small-town charm seems confining at times, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul offer grander opportunities about 130 miles due east.
- Montevideo rests along the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway, a picturesque route that extends 287 miles along the water. The entire formation stretches across the entire southern part of the state, and its component towns and cities offer plenty of river-related activities, including fishing, boating, canoeing, camping and more.
- In 2004, Montevideo was named an All-America City and was just one of 10 communities across the country to receive the designation. The town's efforts at establishing affordable housing, strengthening education and accommodating immigrants were among the reasons for its selection.
- In recent years, Montevideo has generated a measure of buzz regarding its arts environment. A number of folk artists create works in the area, and Tokheim Stoneware has evolved into a prominent, familiar presence. In addition, the nearby Milan Village Arts School (about 15 miles away) teaches everything from linoleum block printing to silversmithing and rosemaling (Norwegian decorative painting).
- Montevideo lies in a region of Southwestern Minnesota that is affected by both the great midwestern plains and several important bodies of water. As a result, it's said to occupy a place "where the prairie meets the river."
- Montevideo is the seat of Chippewa County, whose population is approximately 13,000. The county takes its name from the Chippewa tribes (also known as the Ojibwa). This powerful nation was based around the Great Lakes but also extended into the Northeast and into the Great Plains.
- Curiously enough, Montevideo has been the site of some of Minnesota's highest temperatures at odd times of the year. In 1981, for example, the city reached 69° in January; in 1910, it reached 88° in March; and in 1988, it reached 110° in August. Happily for residents, it's never been the site of a temperature extreme on the chillier side.
- Montevideo is not the only American city boasting a statue of José Artigas, considered to be "the father of Uruguayan independence." Washington, DC, also honors the 19th-century general with a statue at Constitution Avenue and 18th Street.
