Austin in Mower County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Larry L. Dolphin

— Pillars of the City —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

1. Larry L. Dolphin Marker

Inscription. Larry Dolphin moved to Austin in 1988 to become the Director at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. As a self-proclaimed naturalist, he quickly became a leader on local environmental issues and worked with area science teachers to create a dedicated curriculum for elementary students with a focus on nature. This partnership between the Nature Center and local schools emphasizes the importance of "getting kids outside" and provides students the opportunity to participate in annual field trips to the Nature Center. Through his leadership, the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center raised funds to acquire and restore land, design and build the Ruby Rupner Auditorium, log cabin, and new Interpretive Center that opened six months after his retirement. Larry volunteers with the Izaak Walton League and the Audubon Society.

Erected 2020 by Austin Pillars of the City Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1988.

Location. 43° 40.372′ N, 92° 58.478′ W. Marker is in Austin, Minnesota, in Mower County. It is on Main Street North just south of 7th Place Northwest, on the right when traveling

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north. The marker is mounted on an Austin flood wall pillar, on the west side of Horace Austin Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Main Street North, Austin MN 55912, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Susan Grove (here, next to this marker); Patricia K. Piper (here, next to this marker); Jacob "Jake" Herzog (a few steps from this marker); Geraldine A. Rasmussen (a few steps from this marker); Robert J. Enright (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Olav H. Hegge (a few steps from this marker); Michael C. Ruzek (a few steps from this marker); Lyman D. Baird (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Austin Pillars of the City

Also see . . .
1. Austin Pillars of the City: Larry L. Dolphin. Excerpt:

Larry continues to volunteer at the local Izaak Walton League Chapter and the Austin Audubon Society. In 2019, largely due to Larry’s legacy, Austin was recognized as a Bird City in Minnesota, and the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center was recognized as a Regionally Significant Park in Greater Minnesota by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission.

(Submitted on November 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Jay C. Hormel Nature Center (Wikipedia)

Marker detail: Larry L. Dolphin image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Larry L. Dolphin

. Excerpt:

The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is a municipal nature preserve on the north-eastern corner of Austin, Minnesota, comprising more than 500 acres of restored and remnant prairie, hardwood forest, wetlands and meandering streams. Purchased with municipal, state, and private donations, the nature center is administered by the Austin municipal government through the Parks and Recreation Department. Depending on the time of year, a great variety of wildlife can be viewed at the nature center, including white-tailed deer, mink, salamanders, turtles and many species of birds and butterflies.

(Submitted on November 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

3. Larry L. Dolphin Marker

Looking east. Austin Mill Pond in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.