ALBERT LEA

city, seat of Freeborn County, southern Minnesota, U.S., on Fountain and Albert Lea lakes, in a mixed-farming area. Settled in 1855 and named for the U.S. Army colonel who had surveyed the region in 1835, it became the county seat in 1859 as the result of a race won by a local horse over one backed by the neighbouring town of Itasca (which no longer exists). At the crossroads of a highway and rail complex, it developed as a wholesale distribution and diversified industrial centre with large meat-packing plants. Albert Lea Area Vocational Technical Institute is in the city. Helmer Myre State Park is 2 mi (3.2 km) east. Inc. village, 1878; city, 1927. Pop. (1990) 18,310.