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

Esther Mitchell Morse

1822-1910

— Pillars of the City —

Esther Mitchell Morse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

1. Esther Mitchell Morse Marker

Inscription. A writer, poet, educator, and seminarian, Esther Morse came to Austin in 1864. She was the driving force behind the formation of the Austin Ladies Floral Club in 1869, a civic group dedicated to beautifying Austin and contributing to the city's social betterment. Under her leadership, the Floral Club raised the funds to purchase the books that formed the genesis of the Austin Public Library. Her legacy continues through the Floral Club's literary and social programs, and on-going financial support of the library.

Erected 2017 by Austin Pillars of the City Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 43° 40.334′ N, 92° 58.478′ W. Marker is in Austin, Minnesota, in Mower County. It is on Main Street North just north of 5th Place Northwest, on the right when 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: Gary J. Ray (here, next to this marker); Ira J. Holton (here,

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next to this marker); Gertrude Ellis Skinner (a few steps from this marker); Jon W. Erichson (a few steps from this marker); John O'Rourke (a few steps from this marker); Jay C. Hormel (a few steps from this marker); Bonnie Besse Rietz (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Ralph T. Holman (within shouting distance of 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. Esther Mitchell Morse. Excerpt:

When Esther arrived, Austin was still very much a small, rural village, one which had only recently been a frontier town. Right from the beginning, she noted the lack of cultural attributes and activities in the little community, and she set out to change that. On March 16, 1869, she chaired the first meeting of what was to become the Austin Ladies Floral Club. In the first year of her leadership of the Floral Club, the organization raised $100 in its flower show, a considerable sum in 1869, which went to purchase 123 books. Those
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 8, 2023

2. Esther Mitchell Morse Marker
Looking east. Austin Mill Pond in background.
volumes, along with another 103 books donated by private citizens, formed the Austin Public Library’s original collection. Esther’s vision for a strong and vibrant library for Austin succeeded far beyond the club’s humble beginnings – when the Carnegie Library was built in the town in 1904, the Floral Club contributed 3,500 books to its collection.

(Submitted on November 4, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Rachel Esther Mitchell Morse (Find A Grave). Excerpt:

(Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Mower County, Minnesota)
Born in Norway, Maine. Founded the Austin Ladies Floral Club March 16, 1869

(Submitted on November 4, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Esther Mitchell Morse image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Esther Mitchell Morse

Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.