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

Geraldine A. Rasmussen

1895-1987

— Pillars of the City —

Geraldine A. Rasmussen Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

1. Geraldine A. Rasmussen Marker

Inscription. While on vacation, in 1919, Geraldine Rasmussen and her husband purchased the Mower County Transcript-Republican, a weekly newspaper. In 1920, they sold that paper and joined forces with the Daily Herald as partners, with Geraldine soon becoming the business manager for the paper. Mrs. Rasmussen was a founding member of the Mower County Historical Society and in 1953, she purchased the old Christ Episcopal Church and had it moved to the fairgrounds as an art exhibit venue. She was the first woman to serve on the board of directors for the Austin Chamber of Commerce. As a civic leader, she actively contributed to the city of Austin volunteering with the following organizations: Austin YMCA, Business and Professional Women's Club, Art and Travel Club, Ladies Floral Club, St. Olaf Hospital Auxiliary, and the League of Women Voters.

Erected 2020 by Austin Pillars of the City Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Communications • Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 43° 40.367′ 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

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traveling 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: Patricia K. Piper (here, next to this marker); Robert J. Enright (here, next to this marker); Larry L. Dolphin (a few steps from this marker); Lyman D. Baird (a few steps from this marker); Susan Grove (a few steps from this marker); Norman E. Hecimovich (a few steps from this marker); Jacob "Jake" Herzog (a few steps from this marker); Richard L. Knowlton (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 . . . Austin Pillars of the City: Geraldine A. Rasmussen. Excerpt:

Awards and Honors for Mrs. Rasmussen include the following:
• First woman president of the Northwest Daily Press Association and honorary life member
• One of the organizers of the Minnesota Press Women, also serving as its president and named Woman of Achievement
• Member of the American Newspapers Publishers Association, serving as treasurer for two years
• Member and officer in Minnesota Pen Women
• The

2. Marker detail: Geraldine A. Rasmussen
seventh person in the newspaper world to receive the University of Minnesota medal for distinguished service in journalism
• Austin’s Outstanding Citizen by the Jaycees
• Woman of the Year by Zonta International of Austin

(Submitted on November 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

3. Geraldine A. Rasmussen Marker

Looking east. Austin Mill Pond in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.