In the year 1853, Peter Peterson Haslerud purchased and platted the village site of Peterson and was the major force behind its early growth and development. The community was named after him.[8][9] After buying the land and platting the town, he was elected to the Minnesota State Legislature, served in several appointed positions and in 1856 was appointed by the Governor of Minnesota as Immigration officer for the 14th District of Minnesota. Peter was instrumental in bringing the railroad through Rushford Township in 1867 and he gave the railroad company fifteen acres of land and along with other citizens contributed $800. to secure a station and warehouse at Peterson. Peter began buying wheat from local farmers and shipping it back to the eastern part of the U.S.

In 1870, a post office was established in Peterson and Even A. Hjelie was appointed first postmaster. In 1871, Peter Peterson Haslerud developed a "trout farm" on his property outside Peterson and continued to expand the boundaries of the town.

In 1873, Ole Ensberg started a blacksmith shop and in 1874 an additional quarter section of land was laid out into lots and added to the village of Peterson. In 1875, two general stores, a hardware store, and a drug store were established. In 1875, the telegraph was installed at the railroad station and G.P. Haslerud (Peter Peterson Haslerud's oldest son) was appointed agent. Also in that year fifteen additional acres were platted and Prospect Park, Mill, Centennial, Fillmore, Church, and Myrtle Streets were named. In 1876, a mill was built with farmers living in the surrounding areas subscribing most of the stock. A livery barn, a steam mill, the Peterson Hotel, the Northwestern Bar and other small businesses opened for business.

In 1882, the Minnesota and Dakota Gazetteer, gave a contemporary description of Peterson:

"An unincorporated village of 100 inhabitants in Rushford Township, northeastern part of Fillmore County, and a station on the Southern Minnesota Railroad, 25 miles from Preston and 120 miles from Minneapolis. It is situated on the Root Rover which furnishes power to a flour mill at this point. A steam flour mill is also in operation in the village and there is a Lutheran church and district school. The exports are flour and wheat. Modes of communication are: Western Union Telegraph, American Express, two stages semi-weekly from Pilot Mound to Peterson via Arendahl and daily mail service."

Peterson was organized as a village in 1909.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

PETERSON, a city in Rushford Township, sections 19, 29 and 30, was founded in 1867, when the railway was built, on land donated for this use by Peter Peterson Haslerud, who settled here in July 1853. It was incorporated in April 20, 1909. He was born in Norway, July 21, 1828; came to the United States in 1843; was a representative in the legislature, 1862; died September 23, 1880. The first post office, 1855-62, with Knud Peterson, postmaster, transferred to Windom; the current post office began in 1870. The city had a station of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad.

Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

General view, Peterson Minnesota, 1931 LakesnWoods.com Postcard and Postcard Image Collection- click image to enlarge Visit The Peterson Photo Gallery for more recent and historic area photos

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Peterson City Hall 118 Fillmore Street PO Box 67 Peterson, MN 55962 Phone: (507) 875-2222 Fax: (507) 875-2288 Regular Business Hours: Wednesday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm or by appt. City Council Meetings: 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm
Title	Term Ends	Name and Address		Phone
Mayor	12/31/2022	Tim Hallum 130 Prospect Street Peterson, MN 55962		(507) 875-2556
City Clerk	appointed	Christopher Grindland 118 Fillmore Street Peterson, MN 55962		(507) 875-2222
Council Member	12/31/2022	Gail Barnard-Boyum 205 N Church Street Peterson, MN 55962		(507) 875-2658
Council Member	12/31/2022	Dave Colbenson 170 Church Street N Peterson, MN 55962		(507) 875-2855
Council Member	12/31/2024	Tracy Seelbinder 224 Mill Street Peterson, MN 55962		(507) 458-4162
Council Member	12/31/2024	Chris Stenzel 481 Church Street S Peterson, MN 55962		(507) 259-0515

US Post Office 328 Mill Street Peterson, MN 55962-9774 Phone: (507) 875-2226 Toll Free: (800) ASK-USPS Regular Business Hours: Week Days       12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday           9:00 am - 11:00 am

Minnesota State Highway Map of the Peterson Minnesota area

Peterson Station Museum 228 Mill Street Peterson, MN 55962 Phone: (507) 875-2415 Web:  www.petersonmn.org/museum.htm Nearly 100 years after Peterson Station opened to serve Southern Minnesota Railroad customers, it welcomed the public again in 1974 – this time as a museum.  Today, visitors can explore the area’s past through historical memorabilia, photographs, and artifacts, or learn more about their family’s history in the area at the genealogy center.

Recreation:

Geneva's Lodging, Canoe & Tube Rental 318 Mill Street Peterson, MN 55962 Phone: (507) 875-7733 Web:  www.genevashideaway.com Biking, Hiking, Canoeing, Tubing, Hunting, Fishing, and much more are available here. The Root River State Bike Trail passes directly through Peterson. With over 30 miles of beautiful natural surroundings this trail is stunning year-round.. Traveling on the trail you can see white tailed deer, wild turkey, bald eagles, and much more. You may choose to take a canoe or tube down the lazy Root River for a more relaxing trip through nature. Canoes, kayaks, tubes, and bikes are available for rent.

Root River State Trail Discover the dramatic river carved blufflands of southeastern Minnesota. The Root River State Trail is a 42 mile long multiple use trail through the quaint and picturesque rural communities of Fountain, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston. This asphalt trail was mainly constructed upon an abandoned railroad grade which is generally level and wheelchair accessible. The eastern segment between Money Creek Woods and Houston is relatively more challenging than the western segment with a rather steep, half-mile segment that may not be suitable for all users.

Schools:

Rushford Peterson School District 102 N Mill Street Rushford, MN 55971 Phone: (507) 864-7785 Fax: (507) 864-2085 Web: www.r-pschools.com Grades:  PK-12 Students:  635
Rushford Peterson High School 102 N Mill Street PO Box 627 Rushford, MN 55971 Phone: (507) 864-7786 Fax: (507) 864-2085 Grades:  9-12 Students:  195
Rushford Peterson Middle School 193 Park Street PO Box 8 Peterson, MN 55962-0008 Phone: (507) 875-2238 Fax: (507) 875-2316 Grades:  6-8 Students:  140
Rushford Peterson Elementary School 102 N Mill Street PO Box 627 Rushford, MN 55971 Phone: (507) 864-7787 Fax: (507) 864-3420 Grades:  PK-5 Students:  300