Editing Waseca, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Waseca
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Waseca Minnesota.jpg
|imagesize                = 275px
|image_caption            = State Street in downtown Waseca in 2007
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Waseca_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Waseca_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Waseca<br />within [[Waseca County, Minnesota|Waseca County]] and state of [[Minnesota]]
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Minnesota]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Waseca County, Minnesota|Waseca]]
<!-- Government ----------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = Mayor – Council
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Randy Zimmerman
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = Platted
|established_date         = July 1867
|established_title1       = Incorporated as a village
|established_date1        = March 2, 1868
|established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated as a city]]
|established_date2        = February 23, 1881
<!-- 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           = 14.17
|area_land_km2            = 11.11
|area_water_km2           = 3.06
|area_total_sq_mi         = 5.47
|area_land_sq_mi          = 4.29
|area_water_sq_mi         = 1.18
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 9150
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 9229
|population_density_km2   = 830.42
|population_density_sq_mi = 2150.78
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = −6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 343
|elevation_ft             = 1125
|coordinates              = {{coord|44|04|56|N|93|30|14|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 56093
|area_code                = [[Area code 507|507]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-68296
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2397203<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|2397203|City of Waseca|October 5, 2024}}</ref>
|blank2_name              = [[Sales tax]]
|blank2_info              = 7.375%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/minnesota/cities/waseca.html|title=Waseca (MN) sales tax rate|access-date=January 8, 2024}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.ci.waseca.mn.us/|ci.waseca.mn.us}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Waseca''' ({{IPAc-en|w|ə|ˈ|s|iː|k|ə}} {{respell|wə|SEE|kə}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://highwayhighlights.com/2014/08/5-more-minnesota-towns-youre-pronouncing-wrong/|title=5 More Minnesota Towns You're Pronouncing Wrong|date=August 25, 2014}}</ref> is a city in [[Waseca County, Minnesota|Waseca County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. The population was 9,229 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Waseca_city,_Minnesota?g=160XX00US2768296 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 9, 2024}}</ref> It is the [[county seat]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Waseca, Minnesota.jpg|thumb|140px|left]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|5.19|sqmi|sqkm|2}}; {{convert|4.00|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|1.19|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<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/20110220065340/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=February 20, 2011}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| width       = auto
| collapsed   = yes
| single line = yes
| location    = Waseca, Minnesota (Southern Research and Outreach Center) (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1914–present)
| Jan record high F = 62
| Feb record high F = 69
| Mar record high F = 84
| Apr record high F = 92
| May record high F = 106
| Jun record high F = 105
| Jul record high F = 106
| Aug record high F = 103
| Sep record high F = 100
| Oct record high F = 93
| Nov record high F = 80
| Dec record high F = 68
| year record high F = 106
| Jan high F = 21.7
| Feb high F = 26.4
| Mar high F = 39.1
| Apr high F = 55.2
| May high F = 68.1
| Jun high F = 78.3
| Jul high F = 81.3
| Aug high F = 79.1
| Sep high F = 72.9
| Oct high F = 58.7
| Nov high F = 41.4
| Dec high F = 27.5
| year high F = 54.1
| Jan mean F = 13.2
| Feb mean F = 17.5
| Mar mean F = 30.7
| Apr mean F = 45.1
| May mean F = 57.9
| Jun mean F = 68.4
| Jul mean F = 71.4
| Aug mean F = 69.0
| Sep mean F = 61.6
| Oct mean F = 47.8
| Nov mean F = 32.9
| Dec mean F = 19.8
| year mean F = 44.6
| Jan low F = 4.8
| Feb low F = 8.7
| Mar low F = 22.3
| Apr low F = 34.9
| May low F = 47.8
| Jun low F = 58.6
| Jul low F = 61.4
| Aug low F = 59.0
| Sep low F = 50.4
| Oct low F = 36.9
| Nov low F = 24.4
| Dec low F = 12.1
| year low F = 35.1
| Jan record low F = -37
| Feb record low F = -35
| Mar record low F = -29
| Apr record low F = -3
| May record low F = 19
| Jun record low F = 31
| Jul record low F = 39
| Aug record low F = 34
| Sep record low F = 20
| Oct record low F = -1
| Nov record low F = -21
| Dec record low F = -35
| year record low F = -37
| precipitation colour   = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.27
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.20
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.25
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.30
| May precipitation inch = 4.47
| Jun precipitation inch = 5.38
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.93
| Aug precipitation inch = 4.82
| Sep precipitation inch = 4.12
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.77
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.89
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.50
| year precipitation inch = 37.90
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days  = 8.8
| Feb precipitation days  = 7.7
| Mar precipitation days  = 9.7
| Apr precipitation days  = 12.0
| May precipitation days  = 14.1
| Jun precipitation days  = 13.3
| Jul precipitation days  = 10.9
| Aug precipitation days  = 10.9
| Sep precipitation days  = 9.7
| Oct precipitation days  = 9.9
| Nov precipitation days  = 8.1
| Dec precipitation days  = 9.1
| year precipitation days = 124.2
| Jan snow inch = 10.7
| Feb snow inch = 10.8
| Mar snow inch = 9.0
| Apr snow inch = 3.0
| May snow inch = 0.4
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.7
| Nov snow inch = 5.8
| Dec snow inch = 11.9
| year snow inch = 52.3
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days  = 7.9
| Feb snow days  = 6.7
| Mar snow days  = 4.8
| Apr snow days  = 1.6
| May snow days  = 0.1
| Jun snow days  = 0.0
| Jul snow days  = 0.0
| Aug snow days  = 0.0
| Sep snow days  = 0.0
| Oct snow days  = 0.6
| Nov snow days  = 3.4
| Dec snow days  = 7.6
| year snow days = 32.7
| source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=mpx
|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = March 28, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00218692&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = March 28, 2024}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 551
|1880= 1708
|1890= 2482
|1900= 3103
|1910= 3054
|1920= 3908
|1930= 3815
|1940= 4270
|1950= 4927
|1960= 5898
|1970= 6789
|1980= 8219
|1990= 8385
|2000= 8493
|2010= 9410
|2020= 9229
|estyear=2022
|estimate=9150
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=January 9, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 9, 2024}}</ref>
|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=September 12, 2013}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|census of 2010 census]], there were 9,410 people, 3,504 households, and 2,150 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2352.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,818 housing units at an average density of {{convert|954.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.0% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 9.0% of the population.

There were 3,504 households, of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.6% were non-families. 32.9% 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 2.33 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 36.5 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 42.6% male and 57.4% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|census of 2000 census]], there were 8,493 people, 3,388 households, and 2,219 families living in the city.  The population density was {{convert|2,215.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,563 housing units at an average density of {{convert|929.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.24% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.39% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.35% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.58% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.50% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.89% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.10% of the population.

The ancestral makeup of the city is 44.6% [[German American|German]], 21.3% [[Norwegian American|Norwegian]], 13.2% [[Irish American|Irish]], 5.2% [[English American|English]], 5.1% [[Swedish American|Swedish]], and 4.6% [[French American|French]].
 
There were 3,388 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,554, and the median income for a family was $49,163. Males had a median income of $35,701 versus $22,837 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,439. About 6.5% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Transportation==
Bus service in Waseca is provided by [[Southern Minnesota Area Rural Transit]] (SMART). SMART operates one deviated fixed route and demand-response service.

[[U.S. Route 14 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 14]] and [[Minnesota State Highway 13|Minnesota Highway 13]] are two of the main routes in the city. U.S. 14 runs as an east–west freeway bypass just south of Waseca, while Minnesota Highway 13 passes through the city as State Street, running north–south.

==Education==
[[File:WasecaHS.jpg|alt=Exterior of the Waseca Junior and Senior High School|left|thumb|Waseca Junior and Senior High School]]
Waseca is home to many schools. The school colors are blue and gold and the school mascot is the bluejay.

Hartley Elementary School has kindergarten through 3rd grade.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hartley Elementary School|url=https://www.waseca.k12.mn.us/hartley|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref>

Waseca Intermediate School (WIS),<ref>{{cite web|title=Waseca Intermediate School|url=https://www.waseca.k12.mn.us/Domain/235|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> known as Central Immediate School (CIS) until 2012, holds 4th grade through 6th grade.

[[Waseca Junior and Senior High School]] (WJSHS),<ref>{{cite web|title=Waseca Junior and Senior High School|url=https://www.waseca.k12.mn.us/Domain/114|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> known as Waseca High School (WHS) until 2012, houses grades 7 through 12. WHS served only grades 9 through 12.

Waseca Alternative High School (WALC),<ref>,ref.{{cite web|title=Waseca Junior and Senior High School|url=https://www.waseca.k12.mn.us/Domain/315|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> also known as the Alternative Learning Center (ALC), has an alternative learning program for students junior-high age through adult.

Sacred Heart School is a private Catholic elementary school, ranging from kindergarten through fourth grade, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sacred Heart School|url=http://sacredheartschoolwaseca.com/|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref> Sacred Heart also has a Montessori preschool. Another preschool, Hansel & Gretel, is at Faith United Methodist Church.<ref>{{cite web|title=Faith United Methodist Church|url=http://www.wasecafaithumc.com/|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> Other preschools include Waseca County Head Start.

Waseca has a charter school, TEAM Academy,<ref>{{cite web|title=TEAM Academy|url=https://www.team.k12.mn.us/|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> hosting students from kindergarten to grade 6. Until recently, the public schools sponsored TEAM Academy.

Waseca was home to the [[University of Minnesota Waseca]], a two-year technical college that closed in 1992. Most of its former campus continues to operate as the research facility Southern Research and Outreach Center, which includes 926 acres of research-oriented farmland, a community garden, and the Hodgson Memorial Arboretum.<ref name=SROC>{{cite web|title=Southern Research and Outreach Center|url=https://sroc.cfans.umn.edu/|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref>

==Economy==
Waseca is home to a frozen-vegetable packing plant for fresh peas and corn, owned by ConAgra Brands. 

The [[Federal Correctional Institution, Waseca]], a low-security [[Federal Bureau of Prisons|federal prison]] housing female inmates, is in buildings that were part of the [[University of Minnesota Waseca]] campus.

Waseca is home to the Waseca Medical Center, part of the [[Mayo Clinic Health System]].<ref name='locations'>{{cite web|url=https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/waseca|title=Waseca Hospital and Clinic|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref><ref name='AHA'>{{cite web|url=https://www.ahd.com/free_profile/241345/Mayo_Clinic_Health_System_in_Waseca_/Waseca/Minnesota/|title=May Clinic Health System in Waseca|website=American Hospital Directory|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>

==Recreation==
Waseca opened a waterpark in June 2007.<ref name='waterpark'>{{cite web|title=City of Waseca - Waseca Water Park|url=https://www.ci.waseca.mn.us/waseca-water-park|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>

Waseca completed an eight-foot-wide asphalt bike path surrounding Clear Lake in 2014.<ref name=Ojanpa>{{cite web|url=https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/blazing-new-trails/article_eee959ad-6a1b-5621-9c51-8647344ece0a.amp.html|title=Blazing new trails|date=September 2, 2014|last=Ojanpa|first=Brian|location=Mankato, Minnesota|publisher=[[The Free Press (Mankato)|Mankato Free Press]]|work=www.mankatofreepress.com|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>

Waseca is home to many parks and lakes, including Clear Lake, Loon Lake, Maplewood Park, Clear Lake Park, Loon Lake Park, Courthouse Park, and Blowers Park.

==History==
[[File:WasecaCountyHistoricalSociety.jpg|alt=Exterior of the Waseca County Historical Society building|thumb|Waseca County Historical Society]]
Waseca was [[plat]]ted in July 1867 where the railroad system established a stop. Within a year it was a major shipping hub for wheat, and the city had 129 buildings and 700 people.<ref name=WPA>{{cite book |author=<!--The Federal Writer's Project--> |orig-date=1938|date=1985 |title=WPA Guide to Minnesota |url= |publisher=[[Minnesota Historical Society]]|location=[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]] |pages=400–401 |isbn=0873517121}}</ref>

In 1912 the [[University of Minnesota]] purchased 246 acres of swampland and established an experimental farm called Southeast Station. Studies included corn, swine and cattle-breeding.<ref name=WPA/> In 1953 the university opened the Southern School of Agriculture for farming students. It operated as a boarding school, with a six-month term scheduled around farming activities.<ref name="LehmbergPflaum2001">{{cite book|author1=Stanford E. Lehmberg|author2=Ann M. Pflaum|title=The University of Minnesota, 1945-2000|url=https://archive.org/details/universityofminn00stan|url-access=registration|access-date=January 30, 2013|date=January 1, 2001|publisher=U of Minnesota Press|isbn=978-0-8166-3255-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/universityofminn00stan/page/106 106]–}}</ref> In 1971 it became the [[University of Minnesota Waseca]], a two-year technical college, and served nearly 20,000 students before closing in 1992.<ref name=Spilman>{{cite web|title=Waseca Technical College records, 1967-1995|author=Karen Spilman|publisher=University of Minnesota Libraries|url=http://special.lib.umn.edu/findaid/xml/uarc00168.xml}}</ref><ref name=SROCHist>{{cite web|title=Early History of the Southern Experiment Station- Reprinted, in part, from Minnesota Science and Waseca County News 75th Anniversary Issue – June 1988 |url=https://sroc.cfans.umn.edu/about/history/early-history-southern-experiment-station|access-date=July 25, 2022}}</ref>

The city took its name from [[Waseca County, Minnesota]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Chicago and North Western Railway Company|title=A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA135|year=1908|page=135}}</ref> "Waseca" is a [[Dakota language]] word meaning "rich in provisions".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://discoverwaseca.com/resources/city-of-waseca/|title=Discover Waseca {{!}} City Of Waseca|website=discoverwaseca.com|language=en|access-date=2017-11-29}}</ref> It was founded as a hub of agricultural activity.<ref name=Moses>{{cite book|last=Moses|first=George|title=Minnesota in Focus|year=1974|publisher=[[University of Minnesota Press]]|location=[[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]|page=75}}</ref> In the mid-1900s, three companies were founded in Waseca with national markets: Brown Printing, EF Johnson Technologies Inc., and Herter's Outgoor Gear. The result was a strong, diverse economy. In the mid-1970s, Waseca's post office was the third busiest in the state for postal receipts.<ref name="Moses"/>

In 1923, Edgar F. Johnson and his wife, Ethel Johnson, founded [[EF Johnson Technologies|E.F. Johnson Co.]] It shared space with a downtown Waseca woodworking shop, and sold radio transmission parts by mail order. It built its first factory in 1936, and was a major supplier of defense production during [[World War II]]. Johnson merged with Western Union in 1982. In 1997, it was sold and its headquarters moved to Texas.<ref name="UrgentComm">{{cite web |title=80 Years with E F Johnson |url=https://urgentcomm.com/2003/10/01/80-years-with-e-f-johnson/ |website=urgentcomm.com |date=October 2003 |publisher=IWCE Urgent Communications |access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> The Johnsons played a major role in establishing Waseca County Historical Society.<ref>{{cite web|title=Edgar F. and Ethel Johnson Fund|url=https://www.historical.waseca.mn.us/support/endowments/EF-Johnson|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref>

[[George Leonard Herter|George Herter]] launched Herter's in 1937 from his father's dry goods store and became an original model of successful mail-order retailers.<ref name=Smith>{{cite journal |last=Smith |first=Doug |title="Herter's catalog is long gone, but not forgotten-George Herter made his peculiarities obvious with his catalog, but he also changed how outdoors products are marketed"|url=https://www.startribune.com/herter-s-catalog-is-long-gone-but-not-forgotten/291167741/ |journal=[[Star Tribune]] |date=February 7, 2015 |accessdate=July 24, 2022 |archive-date=July 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724153055/https://www.startribune.com/herter-s-catalog-is-long-gone-but-not-forgotten/291167741/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Herter's merchandise is now sold by [[Cabela's]] and [[Bass Pro Shops]]. Herter's successful catalog business, including its print runs of 400,000 to 500,000 copies, were a major factor in Brown Printing's success.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/books/review/Collins-t.html| title=Essay - The Oddball Know-It-All| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]| date=December 5, 2008| url-access=subscription| access-date=July 24, 2022| archive-date=January 6, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106043018/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/books/review/Collins-t.html| url-status=live}}</ref> Brown Printing was started in 1949 and grew to include facilities in [[Illinois]] and [[Pennsylvania]]. It was sold to Quad Printing in 2015.<ref name=Krohn18>{{cite web|last=Krohn|first=Tim| url=https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/former-brown-printing-plant-in-waseca-sold-to-group-that-includes-drummers/article_ec7cb9b2-8b91-11e8-84a0-43ba88378661.html| title=Former Brown Printing plant in Waseca sold to group that includes Drummer's | publisher=[[The Free Press (Mankato)|Mankato Free Press]]|work=www.mankatofreepress.com| date=July 19, 2018| url-access=subscription| access-date=July 24, 2022| archive-date=July 24, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724155348/https://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/former-brown-printing-plant-in-waseca-sold-to-group-that-includes-drummers/article_ec7cb9b2-8b91-11e8-84a0-43ba88378661.html| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Krohn20>{{cite web|last=Krohn|first=Tim| url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/minnesota/articles/2020-01-06/waseca-making-progress-year-after-quad-plant-closing?context=amp| title=Waseca making progress year after Quad plant closing | publisher=[[The Free Press (Mankato)|Mankato Free Press]]|work=www.mankatofreepress.com| agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=January 6, 2020| url-access=| access-date=July 24, 2022| archive-date=July 24, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724155348/https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/minnesota/articles/2020-01-06/waseca-making-progress-year-after-quad-plant-closing?context=amp| url-status=live}}</ref>

A post office has been in operation at Waseca since 1867.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MN&county=Waseca | title=Waseca County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History |access-date=August 13, 2015}}</ref> Waseca was incorporated as a city in 1881.<ref>{{cite book|last=Upham|first=Warren|title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance|url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog|year=1920|publisher=[[Minnesota Historical Society]]|location=[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n583 566]}}</ref>

During the [[World War II|Second World War]], the E.F. Johnson Company plant was on war footing, with production 24 hours a day and heavy surveillance. Waseca was one of the first cities to use municipal funds to buy war bonds.<ref name=Quealy>{{cite journal |last=Quealy |first=Catherine |title="With their Heads, Hearts and Hands-Small Minnesota Communities More Than 'Doing Bit' in War"|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67800392/19420830waseca-wwii/ |journal=[[Star Tribune]] |date=August 30, 1942|page=24 |accessdate=July 24, 2022 }}</ref>

[[Image:Waseca5.jpg|thumb|A leveled house from the 1967 tornado]]
On April 30, 1967, Waseca was severely damaged by the [[1967 Iowa–Minnesota tornado outbreak]].

[[Image:Waseca County Courthouse.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Waseca County Courthouse]] in 2007]]
Waseca has six properties on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]: the 1868 [[Philo C. Bailey House]], the circa-1895 [[William R. Wolf House]], the 1896 [[Roscoe P. Ward House]], the 1897 [[John W. Aughenbaugh House]], the 1897 [[Waseca County Courthouse]], and the circa-1900 [[W. J. Armstrong Company Wholesale Grocers Building]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Minnesota National Register Properties Database |url=http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/nrhp/ |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society |year=2009 |access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref>

Past mayors of Waseca include:
* William Grosvener Ward
* Robert Laird McCormick (1874–1880)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS10386|title=Mccormick, Robert Laird 1847 - 1911 {{!}} Wisconsin Historical Society|date=August 8, 2017|work=Wisconsin Historical Society|access-date=November 29, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Warren Smith (1881–1882)
* Marquis De Lafayette "M D L" Collester (1883-1883??)
* Gottfried Buchler (1886–1887)
* Eugene Belnap "E.B." Collester, (1887 to 1888)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail?ID=11760|title=Collester, Eugene Belnap "E.B." - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present|website=www.leg.state.mn.us|language=en|access-date=November 29, 2017}}</ref>
* Towbridge
* D. S. Cummings (1888–1890)
* Col. D. E. Priest (1891-??)
* D. S. Cummings (1893–1896)
* John Moonan (1897–1898)
* Charles A. Smith (1898–1904)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://genealogytrails.com/minn/waseca/bios_r.htm|title=Waseca County, Minnesota Genealogy and History|website=genealogytrails.com|access-date=November 29, 2017}}</ref>
* Bob Zehm
* Bob Sien
* Avery "Doc" Hall (1975-1987)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freewebs.com/vfwpost1642/Doc%20Hall%20article%20in%20Mankato%20Free%20Press.pdf | access-date=November 11, 2023 | title=Six-time Waseca mayor 'Doc' Hall was known for his spirit | first=Brian | last=Ojanpa | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724122802/https://vfwpost1642.webs.com/Doc%20Hall%20article%20in%20Mankato%20Free%20Press.pdf | archive-date=July 24, 2023}}</ref>
* Richard Marcus (1988–1989)
* Steve Manthe (1989–1982)
* Judy Kozan (1992–1993)
* Steve Manthe (1993–1995)
* John Clemons (1995–2000)
* Tom Hagen (2000–2004)
* Roy Srp (2004–2014)
* John Clemons (2014–2016)
* Roy Srp (2016–2022)
* Randy Zimmerman (2023-Current)

==Politics==
*Waseca is in [[Minnesota's 1st congressional district]]. It is represented in the Minnesota State Senate by [[John Jasinski (politician)|John Jasinski]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/StateSenate/100?districttype=SN|title=Home - Election Results}}</ref> and in the Minnesota House by [[John Petersburg]]. The current mayor is Randy Zimmerman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/Results/MunicipalRaces/100?districtid=68296|title = Home - Election Results}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Robert Alden|Reverend E.H. Alden]], made famous in [[Laura Ingalls Wilder]]'s series ''[[Little House on the Prairie]]''
*[[Joseph Alland]], farmer and Minnesota state legislator
*[[D. E. Bowe]], member of [[Wisconsin State Assembly]]
*[[Gene Glynn]], former [[Minnesota Twins]] third base coach
*[[George Herter]], founder of Herter's outdoor goods business and author
*[[Dave Kunst]], the first person to walk around the world (from 1970 to 1974); his journey began and ended in Waseca.
*[[John D. Lewer]], farmer and Minnesota state legislator
*[[George Peter Madden]], lawyer and Minnesota state legislator
*[[Ray J. Madden]], [[United States House of Representatives|U. S. Representative]]
*[[Peter McGovern (politician)|Peter McGovern]], member of Minnesota Senate
*[[Tim Penny]], U.S. Representative
*[[Leroy Shield]], composer, conductor, arranger of films featuring the Little Rascals and Laurel & Hardy, born in Waseca

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.ci.waseca.mn.us/ City of Waseca Official Website]
*[http://www.waseca.k12.mn.us Waseca School District Web site]
*[http://discoverwaseca.com  Discover Waseca]

{{Waseca County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Waseca County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:County seats in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Dakota toponyms]]
[[Category:1867 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1867]]
[[Category:Minnesota placenames of Native American origin]]