On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With that momentous milestone in mind, one might wonder on a smaller scale when the first Fourth of July was celebrated in Martin County.

The first Fourth of July celebration in Martin County took place in 1862 in Fairmont. That event happened to be the first great get-together of Fairmont pioneers and it was said that they made the most of it. At that time there were no firecrackers, no beer drinking, no fancy foods, but merely the enjoyment of getting together with other pioneers of that era. It was held at the Lake House, a hotel that was considered to be one of the most “magnificent” structures in Fairmont, in what is now Ward Park. Then Ward Park was simply described as “a grove.”

The Lakehouse was built by J. M. Goodrich, the first lawyer in Fairmont. It also housed the first store and many county offices as well. Goodrich’s tenure in Fairmont was short-lived as William Budd was quoted as saying “the settlers looked more kindly to ministers than lawyers.” The 4th of July event featured Mr. A. Clendenning as a speaker, Mr. J. B. Swearingen read the Declaration of Independence, and several musical instruments actually had to be newly constructed for the event as most were unavailable. Dinner was served in the grove, a dance was held in the Lake House, and most of the participants in the celebration didn’t go home until morning and slept in their wagons or on the ground. Apparently, a good time was had by all.

The first Caucasian settlers in Martin County were Calvin Tuttle and Mr. Rickey. They came to Martin County in 1856. They built the first house in Martin County at Center Chain that same year.

In 1857 Martin County had its first physician, Dr. Shaver of Center Chain.

ABOVE: Lake House, first hotel in Fairmont, located where Ward Park now is.

The first post office in Martin County was in Fairmont in 1858. The first Postmaster was William Budd. Ironically, the first mail trip encountered somewhat of a snag. The bag containing the mail was lost in the Blue Earth River and was never retrieved. Hopefully, anything of value was insured.

The first death in the county was also in 1858. The deceased was one Mr. Nichols who fell out of a tree in the fall of that year.

In 1860, Martin County’s first school opened in Fairmont, with Lorraine Swearingen as its first teacher. That same year, the county also held its first church services, and it had a total of eight farms.

The first Martin County courthouse was built in 1862 for a cost of $200. The structure was built by W. W. Carrington and was used for 20 years as county offices, court purposes, and to hold public meetings. The military also used it during the building of Fort Fairmount. It was located at the site of the current courthouse.

The first Sunday School was held in the summer of 1864 at the old courthouse. The children came from many miles away and included all denominations worshiping together. In addition, Center Chain at that time featured a large settlement of ministers including Rev. J. C. Strong, “a college graduate,” Rev. A. C. Hand, “a prominent Wesleyan minister,” Rev. J. C. Hudson and Rev. Robinson.

Early Martin County also experienced domestic disputes, including one involving Mr. and Mrs. Whitcombe. In 1865, a family living in a small shanty near the courthouse was believed to be Mrs. Whitcombe, who was described as a widow, and her four children. They were said to be hardworking and supported themselves by doing work for the soldiers stationed there. One day, however, Mr. Whitcombe, a soldier on leave from Waseca, arrived and claimed to be Mrs. Whitcombe’s husband, which she did not deny. He carried a court order from Waseca County directing that the children be turned over to him, sparking a bitter conflict. Mrs. Whitcombe barricaded the door, and when Mr. Whitcombe tried to force his way in, she met him with a pot of boiling water. After the water was gone, he entered the shanty and narrowly avoided being struck in the head with an axe.

Several local residents intervened to prevent further violence, but the struggle continued. Mr. Whitcombe eventually loaded the children into his wagon and drove away as they shouted, pulled his hair, and threw his hat into the snow. Mrs. Whitcombe then had the citizens who intervened arrested. In all, fourteen people were arrested; twelve were cleared, and two received a change of venue. After the legal dispute ended, Mrs. Whitcombe returned to her home in Waseca with financial help from Martin County, making this one of the county’s earliest recorded instances of welfare assistance.

ABOVE: Martin County founder’s, William Budd’s, home in the 705 area of Albion Avenue in Fairmont.

The first Martin County Fair was held in 1865 in the first courthouse. The second fair, which was quite interesting, was held on the school grounds. The biggest attraction for this fair was a “free for all fight” That event made for what was then called a “splendid fair.”

The first newspaper, The Martin County Atlas, got its start in 1868 by Colonel Lounsberry and Mr. Palmer. It was initially located in the first courthouse before being moved to Lounsberry’s residence on Lake Avenue.

In 1873, English colonists arrived in Martin County at the same time a grasshopper plague struck the area, creating a disastrous combination. Their arrival was largely due to Mr. Shearman, a Martin County landowner who used his influence to persuade people in England to immigrate in search of prosperity. Inspired by a visit to Brockport, New York–then known as the “bean center of the universe”–he promoted the idea that settlers could become wealthy by growing navy beans in Martin County. As a result, the first group of English immigrants planted 1,000 acres of beans, and the crop initially appeared promising. However, a grasshopper infestation that summer, along with early frosts, destroyed it. Lacking farming experience, many of the immigrants suffered financial losses and eventually returned to England.

The first bank in Fairmont was the Exchange Bank of Fairmont and was started in 1874. It was located in the general vicinity of where Profinium is located today.

In 1876 St. Martin’s Episcopal Church was built, the first church built in Fairmont.

This article is based upon William Budd’s book entitled “Martin County Before 1880.” It depicts the history of the county in an interesting, descriptive, and sometimes surprising manner. This article represents but a very few of Martin County Firsts. There are certainly many more that can be found by visiting the Pioneer Museum in Fairmont.

To learn more about Martin County firsts or to become a member, visit the Pioneer Museum in Fairmont or go to its website, martincountymuseum.com.