Marshall in Lyon County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Mrs. Mary Alicia Wirt Whitney

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026

1. Mrs. Mary Alicia Wirt Whitney Marker

Inscription.

This woman made history by naming the town her husband, Charles Henry Whitney, founded. She was truly the mother of the new town. Mrs. Whitney made a name for herself during a period in history when women held no real importance in a society dominated by men. Mr. Whitney was at the forefront in developing the commercial and civic interest of Marshall. Mrs. Whitney was an active and efficient companion. Her every effort was to strengthen and cheer the newcomers, promote social and religious interest, mingling her ministries to the afflicted with a genial leadership in all the social affairs of the community. Her name and home were synonymous with hospitality. Mrs. Whitney's unflagging devotion and hearty spirit were clearly demonstrated when she finished the construction of a coffin for a 14-year-old girl who had died of scarlet fever in September of 1871. Mr. Whitney had begun building the coffin but became exhausted after also fighting a raging prairie fire. In an atmosphere of dense smoke, Mrs. Whitney spent the night caring for her husband and finishing the coffin so that the body could be buried the next morning.

The

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Whitneys were the pioneers of the pioneers who settled what is now the city of Marshall. They came to this area in 1869, and homesteaded a quarter section of what is now the intersection of Main Street and East College Drive. They returned in 1870 when they opened a post office and built the Merchant's Exchange Hotel on that corner. Mr. Whitney traveled to New Ulm to negotiate with the Chicago Northwestern Railroad representatives overseeing the building of a rail track for the Winona and St. Peter Railroad. They agreed that the new station would be built as far west as the new village.

One day in July 1872 Engineer John Blake dashed into the village upon a "sweat-dripping" pony which he had ridden from Lamberton. He found Whitney and told him that the railroad engineers and officers were headed for the village, and they must have supper when they got here. The time was 4:30 p.m. Immediately Mrs. Whitney began gathering all the food supplies that she could get her hands on, calling upon other county residents for food donations.

When the 250 railroad men arrived, she served them, according to Mr. Blake, "a meal fit for princes,"

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026

2. Mrs. Mary Alicia Wirt Whitney Marker

Whitney statue in distance

and the wonder of all was that such an extensive array of viands (food) could have been collected and prepared upon such short notice and on the open prairie. A large number of people came with the party, but only the "high joints" sat down to the repast in the dining room of the hotel. Following the meal the hotel dining room floor gave way depositing all of the guests in a potato bin in the basement. No one was hurt. After getting up and dusting themselves off, the railroad men went outside to discuss naming of the new station. It was customary that rail stations and the village be named after one of the officials. No agreement could be made so it was suggested, and all agreed, that Mrs. Whitney should choose a name. It could be said that Mrs. Whitney, "was not born yesterday." She had heard the discussion and realized that choosing any of the names of any of the men present to receive such an honor would make enemies of the others. So she adroitly avoided an embarrassing situation by selecting the name "Marshall" after the post office conducted by her husband, which had been named after the late Minnesota Governor William

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Marshall. The name was accepted by all, whereupon a "libation of water was sprinkled upon the ground" therefore baptizing the new town - Marshall.

The Whitneys lived in Marshall for only ten years before moving to Cookeville, TN, where they lived out the rest of their years. While in Marshall they raised five children. Mrs. Whitney was born on July 22, 1843 and died February 11, 1911.

• Statue Dedication - August 18, 2013. 12:30 p.m.
• Welcome - Becky Wyffels
• Artist John Sterner
• Artistic Process- Jim Swartz
• Arts/Entertainment Update - Ben Martig
• Dedication- Mayor Bob Byrnes & Ellayne Conyers

This project was funded, in part, by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council through appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State's general fund, and its arts and cultural heritage fund that was created by vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Erected by the City of Marshall through the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is July 22, 1843.

Location. 44° 27.012′ N, 95° 47.082′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Minnesota, in Lyon County. It is at the intersection of College Drive (State Highway 19/68) and 3rd Street, on the left when traveling east on College Drive. The marker and statue are north adjacent to Liberty Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marshall MN 56258, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Great Plains.

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

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mrs. Whitney Statue Artist John Knife Sterner (here, next to this marker); Honoring Marshall Area Artist Jim Dahl (here, next to this marker); Mary Alicia Wirt Whitney (a few steps from this marker); Main Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); Main Street & East College Drive (approx. 0.3 miles away); Main Street & Third Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); 9/11 Memorial Park/Designer Gene Ernst's Inspiration and Vision (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marshall.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.