Hayward City Office
20532 810th Ave.
Hayward, MN 56043
(507) 373-1222
(507) 373-2990 fax
Welcome to Hayward MN
small town living at it's Best!
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The Community Today
Hayward is a small town. Population 246 and growing, located 4
miles east of Albert Lea. The community is surrounded by small
family farms and is noted for its rural hospitality. Businesses
in the community are predominately agriculture related and
include major manufacturing, retail, and services. |
| Stores and restaurants provide opportunities for trail users.
The city park located in the center of town provides recreational
opportunities including ball fields, tennis courts, volleyball,
playground equipment, and a picnic pavilion. |
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History
Hayward is named for one of the town's early settlers. David
Hayward, who moved from Postville Iowa and settled here. Hayward
was settled around 1855, but the town wasn't formally
incorporated until 1925. |
| Initially, wheat was the primary crop grown by farmers in the
surrounding area. Production of more diverse crops including
onions, potatoes, and carrots soon followed. Dairy and livestock
production also became important to the farm economy. |
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Hayward provided services for the agricultural community.
Warehouses were built in town for storing crops. A Chicago,
Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad station was located in the
community. A post office was established in 1864. |
| By 1911, the community included the railroad station and post
office, three stores, elevator, creamery, blacksmith shop, feed
mill, bank, hotel, and residences. |
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