Population: 6,645 (2006 Census estimate)

County: Meeker

Region: Southwest

History

Like many other west central Minnesota towns, Litchfield was founded around the railroad. In 1869, the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad selected its path to run through Litchfield, and the county seat was moved from Forest City to Litchfield.

The town was named after brothers E. Darwin Litchfield, Egbert E. Litchfield and Edwin C. Litchfield, who helped finance the construction of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad through Minnesota.

Litchfield is conveniently located 65 miles west of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Main highways, frequent rail service, a local municipal airport, new medical facilities and newly remodeled schools are some of the community's attractions.

On March 1, 1996, the National Register of Historic Places declared Litchfield's main street a Commercial Historic District. Buildings in Litchfield's downtown date from 1882 to 1945. Many of the downtown buildings were built with bricks manufactured at the Brick Yard Farm, owned by Henry Ames, north of town.

Well-known residents

Litchfield is home to several well-known people. One of Litchfield High School's best-known graduates was Bernie Bierman, who was captain of the 1911 football team and later became the head coach of the Minnesota Gophers football team. The late Dr. William Nolen was a surgeon in Litchfield and became a nationally-known author. Gale Sondergaard was an Academy Award winning actress, starring in many movies and on Broadway.