Editing Litchfield, Minnesota (section)

==Historic sites==
* The Grand Army of the Republic Hall (G.A.R.) was founded in 1885 by [[American Civil War|Civil War]] veterans, who called themselves the "Boys of '61". Membership was limited to [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] veterans of the Civil War; their motto was "Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty". The hall remains exactly as it was when the "Boys of '61" met there. The Litchfield G.A.R. Hall is one of very few left in the nation and the only authentic one remaining in Minnesota. The G.A.R. Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 21, 1975.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.garminnesota.org|title=Meeker Co Museum & G.A.R. Hall|website=Meeker Co Museum & G.A.R. Hall|language=en|access-date=August 12, 2018}}</ref>
* The Litchfield Commercial Historic District is an unusually intact business district of a small Midwestern agricultural trade center of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with 36 contributing properties mostly built between 1882 and 1940.
* The Henry Ames House was built in 1888–89 by area pioneer Henry Ames. The house is the only original structure that remains from what was known as the Litchfield Brickyard that operated during the years of 1883–1900. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 9, 1984.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mnbricks.com/the-henry-ames-house|title=The Henry Ames House {{!}} Minnesota Bricks|website=www.mnbricks.com|date=January 15, 2011 |language=en-US|access-date=August 12, 2018}}</ref>
* The Litchfield Opera House was built in 1900. The building is a darling of St. Paul architect William T. Towner, who designed it with a unique "Renaissance Revival" façade. Considered a jewel on the prairie, many people came to watch the performances of the traveling shows that came to the Opera House. The Litchfield Opera House was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 4, 1984.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.litchfieldoperahouse.com/|title=Home|website=Litchfield Opera House|language=en-US|access-date=August 12, 2018}}</ref>
* The Little Red Schoolhouse District 59 was built in 1913 on an acre of land {{convert|6|mi|0}} south of Litchfield. The architecture is a classic revival-style featuring a single story, red brick exterior, hip roof, and eight white Doric columns, and was constructed at a cost of $3,500.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.littleredschool.org|title=Little Red Schoolhouse District 59 {{!}} Litchfield, MN|website=www.littleredschool.org|language=en-US|access-date=August 12, 2018}}</ref>
* Manannah (Union) Century Church, called [[Manannah, Minnesota|Manannah]] Union Church when it was built in 1897, relied on traveling pastors to lead its flock. When membership dwindled in 1985, the church closed its doors. Esther Hegg, a longtime parishioner, bought the church at an auction. Hegg then led the charge to move the church to the Meeker County Fairgrounds in Litchfield, where it stands today.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.paynesvillearea.com/news/headlinesarticles/archives/051398/Manannahchurch.html|title=Manannah church to find new home at fair|website=www.paynesvillearea.com|access-date=August 12, 2018}}</ref>
* Ness Church was organized in 1861. It is one of the state's oldest historical sites and the first organized church in Meeker County. Buried in its cemetery are the first five victims of the [[Dakota War]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://forgottenminnesota.com/2015/12/historic-ness-lutheran-church/|title=Historic Ness Lutheran Church|date=December 22, 2015|work=Forgotten Minnesota|access-date=August 12, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Trinity Episcopal Church (Litchfield, Minnesota)|Trinity Episcopal Church]], founded in 1871, was entered into the National Register of Historic Places on June 20, 1975. The architecture of the church is attributed to [[Richard Upjohn]], an architect from New York known for [[Carpenter Gothic]] designs. Upjohn founded the [[American Institute of Architects]] and served as its first president. The door and side entry bell tower, [[lancet window]]s, and [[batten]] walls are typical characteristics of Carpenter Gothic architecture.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.episcopalchurch.org/parish/trinity-episcopal-church-litchfield-mn|title=Trinity Episcopal Church, Litchfield, MN|date=June 13, 2011|work=Episcopal Church|access-date=August 12, 2018|language=en}}</ref>