Editing New Prague, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = New Prague, Minnesota
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = "A Tradition Of Progress"
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = New Prague, Minnesota 5.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Buildings in downtown New Prague
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = Scott_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_New_Prague_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of the city of New Prague<br />within [[Scott County, Minnesota|Scott]] and [[Le Sueur County, Minnesota|Le Sueur]] Counties<br />in the state of [[Minnesota]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Minnesota]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Minnesota|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Scott County, Minnesota|Scott]], [[Le Sueur County, Minnesota|Le Sueur]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Duane J. Jirc<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 4, 2021 |title=New Prague swears in new mayor |work=New Prague Times |url=https://www.newpraguetimes.com/new-prague-times/content/new-prague-swears-new-mayor |url-status=live |access-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823043752/https://www.newpraguetimes.com/new-prague-times/content/new-prague-swears-new-mayor |archive-date=August 23, 2022}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 10.02
| area_land_km2      = 10.02
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 3.87
| area_land_sq_mi    = 3.87
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 8162
| population_density_km2 = 814.24
| population_density_sq_mi = 2109.04
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 1001
| coordinates        = {{coord|44|32|45|N|93|34|32|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 56071
| area_code          = [[Area code 952|952]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 27-45808
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2395211<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395211}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|http://www.ci.new-prague.mn.us/|ci.new-prague.mn.us}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''New Prague''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|r|eɪ|ɡ}} {{respell|PRAYG}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |title=Minnesota Pronunciation Guide |website=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=July 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722194213/http://www.ap.org/minnesota/prono.html |archive-date=July 22, 2011 }}</ref> is a [[city]] in [[Scott County, Minnesota|Scott]] and [[Le Sueur County, Minnesota|Le Sueur]] counties in the [[U.S. state|state]] of [[Minnesota]]. The population was 8,162 at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].<ref name="2010 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table|work=American FactFinder|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 27, 2011}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>  Although the northern portion of the City is located within the  [[Metropolitan Council (Minnesota)|Metropolitan Council]] geographic area, the City of New Prague, through special legislation (M.S. 473.121, Subd. 2), is outside the Metropolitan Council review area/approval jurisdiction. <ref>{{Cite web| title=Introduction | url=https://www.ci.new-prague.mn.us/vertical/sites/%7BAD7ECB62-2C5E-4BA0-8F19-1426026AFA3E%7D/uploads/Chapter_1-Introduction_2014_Final.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024150141/http://www.ci.new-prague.mn.us/vertical/sites/%7BAD7ECB62-2C5E-4BA0-8F19-1426026AFA3E%7D/uploads/Chapter_1-Introduction_2014_Final.pdf | archive-date=2015-10-24}}</ref>

==History==

===Origin===
New Prague was laid out in 1856, and named after [[Prague]], the capital of Bohemia (now the [[Czech Republic]]).<ref>{{cite book|last=Upham|first=Warren|title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ShcLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA509|year=1920|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|page=509}}</ref> The immigrants from Bohemia built the town of New Prague, and many of them identified as [[Czechs]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Lathrop|first=Alan K.|title=Churches of Minnesota: An Illustrated Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xt-hRnEhEEgC&pg=PA129|year=2003|publisher=University of Minnesota Press|isbn=978-0-8166-2909-1|page=129}}</ref>

At the advice of [[Joseph Crétin|Catholic Bishop Rev. Joseph Cretin]], Anton Philipp, a native German, first settled within the present limits of New Prague. In 1856 Philipp purchased 160 acres in [[Helena Township, Scott County, Minnesota|Helena Township]], Scott County. Philipp did not make an [[Plat|official plat]] of the town but began selling lots that same year, marking the beginning of New Prague. Several [[Bohemia]]n families came to the area shortly after Philipp arrived.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=http://www.ci.new-prague.mn.us/vertical/sites/%7BAD7ECB62-2C5E-4BA0-8F19-1426026AFA3E%7D/uploads/New_Prague_Context_Study_FINAL_APPROVED.pdf|title=City of New Prague Historic Context Study|last=Smith|first=Patrick|publisher=SMITH & MAIN, llc|year=2013|location=Minneapolis, MN|pages=1, 2}}</ref>

===Late 19th century===
New Prague's early development was not spectacular for a variety of reasons. First, during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] years, 1861–1865, [[History of immigration to the United States|European immigration]] almost stopped as European immigrants were naturally wary of the American Civil War. Second, located in the middle of the [[Big Woods]], the enormous challenge of clearing fields proceeded at a slow pace.

The town was known as Praha from 1872 to 1879. On March 1, 1877, state of Minnesota approved the incorporation of Praha as a [[village]]. In 1879 the name was changed to Prague.

One of the most important developments in the new village occurred in 1877 when the [[Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway|Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway]] (M & St. L) reached New Prague. The arrival of the railroad era expedited [[Agriculture in the United States|agriculture]] as New Prague's most important industry. A link with the outside world enabled farmers to send their commodities to markets and created a conduit to bring inventory to the village's businesses. Just four years after the M & St. L reached New Prague, the first [[grain elevator]] and [[Gristmill|flour mill]] were completed, marking the beginning of New Prague earning its nickname, the “Flour City.”

[[History of immigration to the United States|Czech immigration]] to the United States reached its peak during the 1880s with 62,000 coming to the United States during this decade. Along with [[Montgomery, Minnesota|Montgomery]], which is approximately eight miles south of New Prague, New Prague was becoming the center of “The Bohemian Triangle” of Minnesota covering parts of Scott, Le Sueur and [[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice]] counties, which are neighboring counties. Through the decades since 1856, Le Sueur County has had more Bohemians than any other county in the state.

Construction was booming in the 1880s. The town's first bank opened in 1883, the [[Czech-Slovak Protective Society]] (C. S. P. S.) Opera Hall was built, the New Prague [[Foundry]] started business, the second [[State school|public school]] was built, and two [[hotel]]s were constructed.

The village's name was changed from Prague to New Prague on February 25, 1884.

The 1890s were probably New Prague's heyday decade. The town was becoming a major market for [[Crop|farm produce]] and was providing goods and services for growing numbers of farmers and villagers for miles around. Streets were being [[Grading (engineering)|graded]] and [[Sidewalk|wooden sidewalks]] built along the streets. New Prague was incorporated as a city on April 4, 1891. New Prague Flouring Milling Company completed its mill in 1895. [[Electric light]]s were installed in the city in 1895, and [[telephone line]]s were installed in 1898.

Similar to the rest of the state, the 1880s and 1890s were two decades with the greatest growth in population. New Prague's population more than tripled during that 20-year period going from 384 residents to 1228, while the state's population more than doubled during that same period.

Original businesses outgrew their original [[Storefront|log and wood-frame storefronts]]. A large [[commercial district]] filled with solid brick, stone, and wood-frame [[Commercial building|commercial structures]] developed along Main Street.<ref name=":0" />

New Prague had one of the largest earthquakes in Minnesota history. On December 11, 1860, there was a 4.7 magnitude earthquake with a Mercalli intensity of VI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cse.umn.edu/mgs/earthquakes|title = Earthquakes &#124; College of Science and Engineering}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:2009-0805-NewPrague-HotelBroz.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Hotel Broz]] is listed on the NRHP.]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.81|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref> The land around the area varies from flat to hilly.

The city of New Prague is located in two counties, Scott and Le Sueur. North of Main Street (Highway 13/19) is [[Scott County, Minnesota|Scott County]]; and on the south side is [[Le Sueur County, Minnesota|Le Sueur County]].

Minnesota State Highways [[Minnesota State Highway 13|13]], [[Minnesota State Highway 19|19]], and [[Minnesota State Highway 21|21]] are three of the main routes in New Prague.

There is one lake in the New Prague area, Cedar Lake (Scott County). The lake is a popular destination for fishing, ice fishing, water skiing, and jet skiing. A snowmobile trail runs through the lake during the winter season. An aerated area is located in the eastern part of the lake. The lake is {{convert|779.5|acre|km2}}, has a maximum depth of {{convert|13|ft|m}} and has a {{convert|3.1|ft|m|adj=on}} water clarity. There are numerous developments in the area, including a new development located on County Road 89 on the west side of the lake (which is located outside of the New Prague City Limits).

===Climate===

The climate of New Prague is classified as [[warm-summer humid continental]] with features of a [[hot-summer humid continental]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] Dfa).

{{Weather box     
| location     = New Prague
|single line = Yes
|metric first = Yes
| Jan high C  = -6.3
| Feb high C  = -2.8
| Mar high C  = 4
| Apr high C  = 13.4
| May high C  = 20.8
| Jun high C  = 26
| Jul high C  = 28.2
| Aug high C  = 26.6
| Sep high C  = 21.4
| Oct high C  = 15.3	
| Nov high C  = 4.8
| Dec high C  = -3.7
| year high C = 12.3
| Jan mean C  = -12.2
| Feb mean C  = -8.8
| Mar mean C  = -1.5
| Apr mean C  = 7.1	
| May mean C  = 14.1
| Jun mean C  = 19.4
| Jul mean C  = 21.7	
| Aug mean C  = 20.2
| Sep mean C  = 14.9
| Oct mean C  = 8.8
| Nov mean C  = -0.3
| Dec mean C  = -8.8	
| year mean C = 7.9 °C
| Jan low C  = -18.0
| Feb low C  = -14.8
| Mar low C  = -7	
| Apr low C  = 0.9	
| May low C  = 7.5
| Jun low C  = 12.9	
| Jul low C  = 15.3
| Aug low C  = 13.8
| Sep low C  = 8.5
| Oct low C  = 2.4
| Nov low C  = -5.3
| Dec low C  = -15.8
| year low C = -9.6
<!-- Rainfall -->
| rain colour    = green
| Jan rain mm  = 20
| Feb rain mm  = 18
| Mar rain mm  = 45
| Apr rain mm  = 64
| May rain mm  = 89
| Jun rain mm  = 105
| Jul rain mm  = 105
| Aug rain mm  = 102
| Sep rain mm  = 80
| Oct rain mm  = 56
| Nov rain mm  = 37
| Dec rain mm  = 24
| year rain mm = 745
<!-- Average number of rainy days -->
| Jan rain days  = 4.8
| Feb rain days  = 4.7
| Mar rain days  = 6.7
| Apr rain days  = 8.5
| May rain days  = 11
| Jun rain days  = 10.9
| Jul rain days  = 8.9
| Aug rain days  = 9.2
| Sep rain days  = 8.4
| Oct rain days  = 8.1
| Nov rain days  = 6
| Dec rain days  = 6.1
| year rain days = 93.4
<!-- Snowfall -->
| snow colour    = 
| Jan snow inch  = 9.6
| Feb snow inch  = 8.1
| Mar snow inch  = 8.5
| Apr snow inch  = 2.9
| May snow inch  = 0
| Jun snow inch  = 0
| Jul snow inch  = 0
| Aug snow inch  = 0
| Sep snow inch  = 0
| Oct snow inch  = 0.2
| Nov snow inch  = 6.1
| Dec snow inch  = 10.7
| year snow inch = 46.2
<!-- Average number of snowy days -->
| Jan snow days  = 6.8
| Feb snow days  = 5
| Mar snow days  = 4.2
| Apr snow days  = 1.4
| May snow days  = 0
| Jun snow days  = 0
| Jul snow days  = 0
| Aug snow days  = 0
| Sep snow days  = 0
| Oct snow days  = 0.3
| Nov snow days  = 3.2
| Dec snow days  = 6.7
| year snow days = 27.6
<!-- Average daily % humidity -->
| humidity colour = pastel 
| Jan humidity    = 55.3
| Feb humidity    = 82
| Mar humidity    = 90.9
| Apr humidity    = 78.3
| May humidity    = 78.9
| Jun humidity    = 91.8
| Jul humidity    = 82.4
| Aug humidity    = 78.5
| Sep humidity    = 74.1
| Oct humidity    = 87.7
| Nov humidity    = 80.8
| Dec humidity    = 68.4
| year humidity   = 79.1
|source 1 = ''climate-data.org'',<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/united-states-of-america/minnesota/new-prague-125411/ |access-date= January 9, 2020|website=en.climate-data.org|title=New Prague climate |publisher=weather-online}}</ref> ''bestplaces.net'',<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/minnesota/new_prague|title=Climate |access-date= January 9, 2020 |publisher=bestplaces}}</ref> and ''usa.com''<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.usa.com/new-prague-mn-weather.htm|website=www.usa.com|title=Weather |access-date= January 9, 2020 |publisher=bestplaces}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 384
|1890= 955
|1900= 1228
|1910= 1554
|1920= 1540
|1930= 1548
|1940= 1645
|1950= 1915
|1960= 2533
|1970= 2680
|1980= 2952
|1990= 3569
|2000= 4559
|2010= 7321
|2020= 8162
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=February 12, 2014}}</ref><br />2018 Estimate<ref name="2018 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 13, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 7,321 people, 2,711 households, and 1,910 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1921.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,862 housing units at an average density of {{convert|751.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 2,711 households, of which 42.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.22.

The median age in the city was 32.7 years. 31.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 20.4% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

===2000 census===
According to the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]], 38.1% were of [[Germans|German]], 20.9% [[czech people|Czech]], 8.8% [[norwegian people|Norwegian]], 8.0% [[Irish people|Irish]] and 5.4% [[Czechs|Czech]]/[[Slovaks|Slovak]] ancestry. Also, 99.6% spoke [[English language|English]], 0.3% [[czech language|Czech]] and 0.1% [[German language|German]] as their first language.

[[File:2009-0805-MN-NewPrague-FNB.jpg|thumb|left|The First National Bank building (1922) has an intricate glazed terra cotta exterior and is listed on the NRHP.]]The following Demographic Data is a result of the 2000 Census: There were 1,694 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,750, and the median income for a family was $50,341. Males had a median income of $37,393 versus $25,164 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,732. About 2.6% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.{{Clear}}

==Schools==
[[File:St Wenceslaus Catholic School.jpg|thumb|left|St. Wenceslaus Catholic School]]
There are five schools in the New Prague Area Schools (District 721): [[New Prague High School]] (9–12), New Prague Middle School (6–8), Falcon Ridge Elementary in New Prague (K–5), Raven Stream Elementary in New Prague (K–5), and [[Eagle View Elementary]] in nearby Elko New Market (K–5). The total enrollment in the district for the 2005–2006 school year was 3,205 students. New Prague High School's nickname is the Trojans. The Trojans are members of the Wright County Conference, previously members of the Missota Conference prior to the 2014 season. The sports the Trojans participate in include baseball, softball, boys' and girls' basketball, boys' and girls' cross country, boys' and girls' hockey, boys' and girls' tennis, track, swimming, football, cheerleading, wrestling, golf, volleyball, adapted floor hockey, and adapted softball. New in the fall of 2007 is boys' and girls' soccer, and new in the winter of 2009–2010 is the New Prague Trojan Dance Team. New Prague Middle School has been ranked in the top 3 results in MN state standards test (MCA).

There is also a private K–8 school located in New Prague known as St. Wenceslaus Catholic School. Their athletic symbol is the Saints. They offer multiple sports for grade 4–8. The emphasis at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School is Christian Values and Academic Excellence.

Holy Cross Catholic Schools serves part of the New Prague District, representing three Catholic Parishes in Lonsdale, Elko New Market and Veseli. The school opened a new building near Webster in 2005.

==Arts and culture==
''[[Dożynki|Dožínky]]'' is a [[Czech Republic|Czech]] [[Harvest festival|Harvest Festival]] patterned after the "Old Country" original. The ''Dožínky Festival'' in the [[Czech Republic]] is celebrated annually to give thanks for the bountiful harvest.

==Media==
===Radio===
* KCHK (1350 AM; 95.5 FM)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kchkradio.net/contact/|title=Contact &#124; KCHK}}</ref>

==Religion==
*[http://pillarofgrace.org Pillar of Grace Church] (New Prague, Minnesota) ([[Christian and Missionary Alliance|Christian & Missionary Alliance]])
*[[Church of St. Wenceslaus (New Prague, Minnesota)|Church of St. Wenceslaus]] (Roman Catholic)
*[http://www.spiritoflifeag.com Spirit of Life Church] (New Prague, Minnesota) (Assemblies of God)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ci.new-prague.mn.us/ City of New Prague, MN − Official site]
*[http://www.newprague.com/ New Prague Chamber of Commerce]
*[http://www.np.k12.mn.us/ New Prague Area Schools - ISD #721]
*[http://www.newpraguetimes.com/ ''The New Prague Times'' newspaper site]
*[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/showreport.html?downum=70009100 Minnesota DNR - Cedar Lake information]
*[http://www.novapraha.org/ New Prague Area Historical Society] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801194329/http://novapraha.org/ |date=August 1, 2015 }}

{{Le Sueur County, Minnesota}}
{{Scott County, Minnesota}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Le Sueur County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Scott County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Czech-American culture in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1856]]
[[Category:1856 establishments in Minnesota Territory]]