Mankato, County seat in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, US
Mankato sits where the Minnesota River and Blue Earth River meet, sprawling across parts of three counties. This river location shaped how the city grew and developed over time.
The settlement began in 1852 as Mankato Township and became formally organized in 1858 when Minnesota entered the Union. These early years set the foundation for the community that exists today.
The city grew from Dakota roots, and you can find reminders of this heritage throughout the area. Local institutions work to share stories about the people and communities that shaped this place.
The city is accessible through several major routes, including U.S. Routes 14 and 169 and state highways 22 and 60. These roads make it easy to reach nearby city areas and travel throughout the region.
The name Mankato came from a typo of the intended Dakota word Mahkato that stuck in official records. This early spelling mistake became a permanent part of how the city is known.
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