Willmar Township in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Grasshopper Plague
August 26, 2023
1. Grasshopper Plague Marker
Inscription.
Grasshopper Plague. . Swarms of grasshoppers invaded this county in July 1876, destroyed two-thirds of the crop, and laid millions of eggs. A grain farm at this site was owned by Paul Willmar (son of Leon Willmar, after whom the city was named). Willmar and other farmers tried, among other things, digging trenches to bury the hoppers. In 1877 grasshoppers ate the newly emerging grain. Farmers were left destitute, and the State Legislature passed "The Law to Furnish Seed Grain for Grasshopper Sufferers" in 1878. Part of the former Willmar farm eventually became the State Hospital Farm, opened in 1912 and later called the Regional Treatment Center.
Swarms of grasshoppers invaded this county in July 1876, destroyed two-thirds of the crop, and laid millions of eggs. A grain farm at this site was owned by Paul Willmar (son of Leon Willmar, after whom the city was named). Willmar and other farmers tried, among other things, digging trenches to bury the hoppers. In 1877 grasshoppers ate the newly emerging grain. Farmers were left destitute, and the State Legislature passed "The Law to Furnish Seed Grain for Grasshopper Sufferers" in 1878. Part of the former Willmar farm eventually became the State Hospital Farm, opened in 1912 and later called the Regional Treatment Center.
Erected 2002 by Austin F. Hanscom Legion Post 167 of Willmar, the Federal Highway Administration, and Kandiyohi County, for the Glacial Ridge Scenic Byway Project.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Disasters • Environment. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1876.
Location. 45° 8.903′ N, 95° 1.184′ W. Marker is near Willmar, Minnesota, in Kandiyohi County. It is in Willmar Township. Marker is on 26th Avenue Northeast (County Highway 24) west of U.S. 71B, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Willmar MN 56201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2023. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 30, 2023.
