Blue Earth in Faribault County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Etta C. Ross Memorial Library/Museum

February 8, 2026

1. Etta C. Ross Memorial Library/Museum Marker

Inscription. The Etta C. Ross Memorial Library was a gift to the city by W.E.C. Ross in memory of his wife Etta Chadbourn Ross. Mrs. Ross, who died 21 March 1903 at age 48, had been one of the community's leading advocates of reading and literature.

Blue Earth's public library was established in 1870. Books were kept in downtown businesses and later at the high school and city hall. In the spring of 1903 the city was awarded a grant from the Carnegie Foundation to build a library. However, W.E.C. Ross's offer, which had no strings attached, was accepted and the building was dedicated 15 November 1904.

The Etta C. Ross Library now Museum is built of buff-tone pressed brick in the Neo-Classical Revival Style with a symmetrical plan and a projecting central entrance. Coupled Ionic columns flank the entrance.

In 1985 the city moved the Community Library to Seventh and Nicollet Streets and later gave this building to the Faribault County Historical Society. The building is now used for the display of historic artifacts and reference material. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is November 15, 1904.

Location. 43° 38.312′ N, 94° 5.909′ W. Marker is in Blue Earth, Minnesota, in Faribault County. It is on East 6th Street west of Ramsey Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 324 E 6th St, Blue Earth MN 56013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest 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: The Wakefield House (within shouting distance of this marker); Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal (approx. 0.2 miles away); Moses Sailor (approx. 0.3 miles away); Faribault County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Faribault County Courthouse Veterans Memorial

February 8, 2026

2. Etta C. Ross Memorial Library/Museum & Marker

(approx. 0.4 miles away); Exploring Southwestern Minnesota (approx. ¾ mile away); Minnesota Agriculture (approx. ¾ mile away); Green Giant Statue (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blue Earth.

Also see . . .
1. Etta C. Ross Memorial Library Museum - Faribault County Historical Society. (Submitted on March 5, 2026.)
2. Minnesota SP Memorial Library | National Archives Catalog. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (1988). (Submitted on March 5, 2026.)

Etta C. Ross Memorial Library/Museum, from the northeast image. Click for full size.

February 8, 2026

3. Etta C. Ross Memorial Library/Museum, from the northeast

Etta C. Ross Memorial Library/Museum, from the southwest image. Click for full size.

February 8, 2026

4. Etta C. Ross Memorial Library/Museum, from the southwest

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2026. This page has been viewed 53 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 5, 2026.