The following is a brief history of the Population & Steets in Chatfiled City. This city is located at the mouth of the Root river, on a broad plateau that rises forty feet above the ground. The bluffs of the Northwest are surrounded by beautiful woodlands and farms. The city sits on high fertile prairie. The population was about four thousand in 1880.
The Chatfield Guards was a militia company when the Civil War began in 1861. By April, they were ready to go to Port Snelling, where they would form Company A of the Second Regiment. Captain Bishop and his men made honorable records. They were among the first Minnesotan volunteers and returned honorably. While many men left families with little money, the blessed women suffered in silence through the war.
In 1857, Chatfield was a bustling town in southern Minnesota. In its directories, it lists eleven real estate dealers, five lawyers, three doctors, and three engineers. Other businesses in the town include one hotel, a stove and tinware store, a boot and shoe shop, and a Masonic lodge. It is possible to see how this town developed in the past by visiting the city's historical sites.
In addition to being a prosperous town, Chatfield City also boasts a fine waterworks system and a good high school. Its streets were well shaded and featured electric lights. Its public library and public restroom were notable features. Other businesses include a lumber yard, a creamery, a public library, and an extensive telephone service. The city also has two banks, a progressive newspaper, a bustling commercial club, and several handsome residences.