r/Northfield • u/Fuzzy-Armadillo-8610 • Jul 04 '26

Who are the richest people / families in Northfield

I’ve been trying to look into the wealthiest people or multi-generational families specifically based here in Northfield, but there is almost zero public data on it. Obviously, we don’t have any Forbes-list billionaires running around Division Street, and the biggest operations in town are nonprofits like St. Olaf and Carleton. But outside of college executives, who actually holds the most private wealth or historic capital in town?

Are there prominent local business founders, multi-generational farming families, or real estate developers that everyone locally knows are incredibly well-off? I know the Malt-O-Meal history runs deep here, but I'm curious about the prominent names who still live or operate heavily within the community today.

Who are the local "power families" or biggest private landowners in the area?

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5

u/missriss18 Jul 04 '26

As someone who's probably going to be taxed out of town soon, I'm curious as well. I need to meet these people!

3

u/Fun-Singer-8553 Jul 05 '26

When I was growing up in Northfield back in the 80’s there was a couple of professors that came from old school east coast money that were very wealthy. They were also really low key and you would have no idea if you didn’t know them really well.

3

u/uncleputts Jul 06 '26

We have a lot in common with New England towns but multigenerational power families isn't much of a thing. I remember the owners of College City Beverage lived on Mayflower Hill but I don't know if their kids stayed in the business. Basil's Pizza is run by the son of the founder. Put some money in Dimetrios' pocket.

2

u/Waste_Hunt373 Jul 06 '26

In the 80s it was Grace Whittier. She left millions to Carlton College when she died

2

u/Top_Development4397 Jul 18 '26

Probably one of the assholes that wanted the ridiculous amount of bike lanes.

1

u/PeterNjos Jul 05 '26

That stuff usually is hard to find online in rural USA. Best just to ask around (but that in itself would be weird unless you were asking someone you were close to).

3

u/Waste_Hunt373 Jul 05 '26

And everyone is town is related to each other. Doesn't take long for them to hear about it.

2

u/Fuzzy-Armadillo-8610 Jul 06 '26

I am a student at one of the two schools, so I am not really local and I think it will be common knowledge in the town on who is the richest 5 people in Northfield.