Rochester, Minnesota

Rochester is a city located in Olmsted County, Minnesota. As of 2005 census estimates, the city had a total population of 97,806, and is Minnesota's third largest city, Rochester is best known as the home of the Mayo Clinic medical center, which now has satellite clinics in several other American cities. The clinic and IBM's Rochester campus are the two biggest private employers in the city. Rochester is the county seat of Olmsted County6. The city is about 80 miles southeast of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Overview

The primary industries in Rochester are medical services, computer design and programming, light manufacturing (mostly computers and electronics), and a substantial hotel/motel and restaurant trade that serves visitors to the Mayo Clinic.

Related Topics:
Computer - Programming - Manufacturing - Electronics - Hotel - Motel - Restaurant

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As in most American cities, the primary mode of transportation in Rochester and the surrounding area is the automobile. The city is served by three U.S. highways (U.S. 14, U.S. 52, and U.S. 63), and the southern edge of Rochester is skirted by Interstate 90. By air, the city is served by Rochester International Airport. Public transportation is provided by Rochester City Lines, which operates several routes, most serving the Mayo Clinic and IBM. A few freight railroad lines run through the city. A proposed upgrade of the tracks owned by the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad has proven to be controversial.

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American - Automobile - U.S. highway - U.S. 14 - U.S. 52 - U.S. 63 - Interstate 90 - Rochester International Airport - Freight - Railroad - Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad

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Actress Lea Thompson was born in Rochester, and Frank B. Kellogg, who eventually became U.S. Secretary of State, had a law office in the city in the 19th century. Many famous people from around the world including former President Ronald Reagan and King Hussein of Jordan have visited the city to take advantage of the Mayo Clinic's services.

Related Topics:
Actress - Lea Thompson - Frank B. Kellogg - U.S. Secretary of State - Law - 19th century - President - Ronald Reagan - King Hussein - Jordan

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Many of the tallest buildings in Rochester are owned by Mayo. The Gonda Building is the tallest owned by the clinic, and it is attached to the cross-shaped Mayo Building. Architecturally, Mayo's Plummer Building is considered to be among the most significant in the city. 2004 saw a new winner in terms of height, Broadway Plaza, a largely residential structure. IBM Rochester is also a huge structure, spanning a mile across in the northwest part of the city. It was initially designed by noted architect Eero Saarinen.

Related Topics:
Gonda Building - Mayo Building - Architecturally - Plummer Building - 2004 - Broadway Plaza - IBM Rochester - Eero Saarinen

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Rochester may also be home to the largest ear of corn in the world. Actually a water tower, it is next to the Libby Foods plant in the city (Libby's is now part of the food conglomerate ConAgra).

Related Topics:
Corn - Water tower - ConAgra

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There is a large park system in Rochester, with more than 100 sites covering 5 square miles (13 km²). There are 60 miles of paved trails and a few municipal golf facilities among other athletic facilities.

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Park - Golf - Athletic

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The city is home to University Center Rochester, or UCR. UCR is a grouping of Rochester Community and Technical College, Winona State University's Rochester Center, and the University of Minnesota's Rochester campus.

Related Topics:
University Center Rochester - Rochester Community and Technical College - Winona State University - University of Minnesota

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