Click image to see an 1870's Plat map of this township!
History of Richland Township
Richland Township is located in the southeast corner of Rice County. The land consisted of rolling prairie before the first settlers arrived in 1854. This township has extremely rich, loamy soil and has the highest elevation in the county. This loamy soil rests upon old morainic glacial till. It contains many little streams that flow into the Zumbro River, which gives the township ample water supply. The first four settlers to arrive in Richland Township were from Norway. Besides Norwegian, the other principal ethnicities that settled in this township were German, Irish and New Englanders. Many churches were founded in Richland, including the Norwegian Lutheran Church, which was founded in 1855, and the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1856. A catholic church was founded in 1858. No towns were ever officially founded in this township.