Communities in Meeker County: Acton, Cedar Mills, Collinwood, Cosmos, Danielson, Darwin, Dassel, Eden Valley, Ellsworth, Forest City, Forest Prairie, Greenleaf, Grove City, Harvey, Kingston, Litchfield, Manannah, Swede Grove, Union Grove and Watkins.

County seat: Litchfield

Population: 23,405 (2006 Census estimate)

Average income: $15,633

Land Area: 609 square miles

History
Meeker County celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2006. On Feb. 23, 1856, the Seventh Territorial Legislature of Minnesota ordered the creation of Meeker County, in honor of Territorial Judge Bradley B. Meeker.

The Crow River was the principal stream in pioneer days (1856-69), and it provided transportation and a substantial amount of water power. Settlements in Meeker County, the first one in 1856, were established along the river.

Meeker County's population at the time of the first Census in 1860 was 928. By 2000, it had grown to 22,842.

Main pioneer crops were small grains, corn and vegetables. Pioneer settlers found that the land was particularly good for growing wheat, which quickly became a staple crop and was transported easily because of the railroad. Wild game and fish were also abundant.

The major trading centers during the pioneer days were Forest City, Kingston, which was the first milling center, Greenleaf, Manannah and Collinwood. Forest City was the county seat at the time, and along with Manannah and Kingston, it was one of the more populous settlements. These trading centers all had large flour and feed mills.

In an 1862 election, the county voted to move the county seat to Litchfield by a majority of 89 votes, in a total vote of 927. Because of the railroad and its designation as the county seat, Litchfield grew rapidly.

1862 was the year of the Dakota War. The Acton Massacre on Aug. 17, 1862, led to the Battle of Acton, followed by the Manannah Massacre on Aug. 26, and an attack Sept. 4 on the Forest City Stockade.