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118 North Main Street
Le Sueur, Minnesota 56058
507-665-3250
Dr.
William Worrall Mayo House
The Mayo Clinic
and the Green Giant Company have something in common. Their stories emerge
from the same small home located on the Main Street of Le Sueur, Minnesota.
Dr. William W.
Mayo hand-built this Gothic-style home in 1859. Here the "little
doctor" set up his first medical practice in Minnesota in a 9' x 10'
upstairs room. In June, 1861, son William James was born in the
home. When the U.S. Dakota Conflict broke out on the Minnesota
frontier in 1862, Dr. Mayo volunteered to go to the relief of besieged New Ulm,
where he helped care for the wounded. His wife, Louise remained in Le
Sueur and opened her small home and barn to 11 refugee families. Early in
1863, Dr. Mayo was appointed examining surgeon for the southern Minnesota Civil
War draft board headquartered in Rochester. The family moved to Rochester
in 1864 and the following year another son, Charles Horace, was born.
Later in Rochester, Dr. Mayo and his two sons, Will and Charlie, founded the
world-renowned
Mayo Clinic.
Between 1874 and 1920,
the historic home was owned and lived in by three
generations of the Carson Nesbit Cosgrove family. In 1903, C.N. (the
"little giant") conducted the organizational meeting and later served
as president of the Minnesota Valley Canning Company, which, in 1950, became the
Green Giant Company. His son, Edward, and grandson, Robert, each born in
the home, served impressively at the helm for many years of this well-known
international vegetable processing company.
During tours, visitors learn about the time period and experiences of the Mayo
family on the Minnesota frontier, and about the Cosgrove family and the home's
significant Green Giant connection.
The Mayo House is restored and warmly furnished to the 1860 period.
Adjacent to the home, in Louise Park, stands the bronze sculpture called
"The Mothers" created in 1978 by Dr. Paul Granlund. It features
historic figures from the Mayo and Cosgrove families.
The W. W.
Mayo House is a state historic site owned by the Minnesota Historical
Society and operated by the Mayo House Interpretive Society.
See Brochure Texts
for more information.
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W.
W. Mayo House
