Founding & History of Jasper, MN

Jasper is located in two counties; most of the town lies in Eden township in Pipestone county but part of the town is also in Rock county’s Rosedell township.  The city was named for its quarries of red quartzite, commonly called jasper, an excellent building and paving stone. In 1887 the Willmar & Sioux Falls railroad made plans for a railroad in that area.  Both Pipestone and Rock county vied to get a city built in the area. The Rock County town was called Carnegie and later West Jasper. However, the main businesses were built in the part of the town in Pipestone county and by the time the city was incorporated in 1889, the two towns united into one town called Jasper.  In addition to being on the railroad, the town also was located on Split Rock Creek.

Jasper had quarries in addition to the agricultural economy.  The first stone quarry was established by the Scottish Rae brothers.  After the town was founded Swedish immigrant stonecutters arrived to work the quarries. The quarries furnished large amounts of stone for building blocks that were shipped by rail.

Early Jasper had four churches, Presbyterian, Methodist, German Evangelical and Norwegian Lutheran.  The post office was established in 1888 with newspaper publisher Selah S. King, postmaster. Two banks, the State Bank of Jasper and the Farmers State Bank, were established.  The first school was built in 1888. In 1911 a new school was built, using the local jasper stone.

Jasper, MN Today

Jasper had a population of 633 in the 2010 census.  Jasper has a post office, zip code 56144. Jasper has three churches: Jasper Community Church, Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Trinity Lutheran Church.  One of the quarries is still active today.

The school district consolidated with Pipestone with the last high school class graduating in 1993, in 2001 the elementary school closed and all students now attend school in Pipestone.  The 1911 quartzite building still is standing and efforts are underway to repurpose the building.

Jasper has an assisted living facility, Jasper Sunrise Village.