2020 Lanesboro Area Guide

OFFICIAL 2020 VISITORS GUIDE

LANESBORO

MINNESOTA

Discover Lanesboro create your own

_

Bucket List! p.22

ï„·

LANESBORO.COM

LANESBORO MN 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE

Is produced by the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce in support of its members and in cooperation with the City of Lanesboro and Lanesboro Schools.

LANESBORO

MINNESOTA

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY! Nestled snugly into the Root River Valley of Southeastern Minnesota, Lanesboro has a way of drawing people in to it. Walk through its historic downtown, lined with original 19th-century brick buildings, and you’re tracing the footsteps of people who have explored and enjoyed this remarkable little village for more than 150 years.

Over those many decades, people have also settled, built homes, started businesses and raised families here. That’s still happening today. People come from all over and find what they’re looking for in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Why? Because Lanesboro has something for everybody!

Lanesboro is a great place to visit! This town’s original vision included people traveling here to enjoy natural beauty. The peaceful flow of a beautiful river. The refreshing sights, smells and sounds of a nearby forest. The inspiring vistas of towering bluffs. That vision became real long ago—it’s still real every day.

Lanesboro is a great place to live! This town blends safe and tranquil neighborhoods with a thriving mix of active business life, an award-winning arts and theatre community, an independent K-12 school system with growing enrollments and quality, year-round daycare and neighbors who care. Not bad for a population of 754 people.

Lanesboro is a great place to work! Locally-owned and operated businesses in Lanesboro, along with our School and Daycare, create scores of employment opportunities. So does our solid tourist industry with lodging, dining, theatre and music events, outfitting services, tours and more. Farming remains a foundation of Lanesboro’s economic health, while 21st-century ways of doing business (think e-business and telecommuting) are cutting edge.

CONTRIBUTORS

Special thanks to Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce members, the City of Lanesboro, Dairyland Power Co-op, Lanesboro Public Utilities, Lanesboro Economic Development Authority and Lanesboro Schools for their generous financial contributions to this publication.

WRITERS

Steve Harris, Alison Leathers, Bailey Otto

CREATIVE DIRECTION

Andrzej (ahn-jay) Zalasinski, Jr.

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Bailey Otto

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Peterson Creative Photography and Design, petersoncreativephoto.com

PRINTING

(608) 788-2500 | lacrossegraphics.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

A. Renee Bergstrom, Driftless Photography, Eye Prize Media, Jake Langmade of MediaCare, Jeff Laumb, Alison Leathers, MN DNR, Darcy Sime, Bailey Otto, Peterson Creative Photography and Design, Vital Traffic Labs and other chamber members.

PARTNERS

Lanesboro is a great place to play! The Root River, running right through town, creates all kinds of ways to play—tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing (some of the best fly fishing in the Midwest). The Root River State Trail offers biking, hiking, birding and more. Live theatre and music. Art tours. The Rhubarb Festival. Buffalo Bill Days. Golf, too. The list keeps growing.

Come visit, live, work and play in Lanesboro! You’ll find something for everybody!

Jason Resseman, Mayor The City of Lanesboro lanesboro-mn.gov | (507) 467-3722

2

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

Andrzej (ahn-jay) Zalasinski, Jr., Executive Director Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce lanesboro.com | (507) 467-2696

#ONLYINLANESBORO

ON THE COVER

Rocky Shore line of the Root River Near "The Point" at Eagle Bluff by Joan Finnegan (pictured here painting).

CONTENTS EXPERIENCE LANESBORO 2020

P.8 P.39 FEATURES 8

10

13

20 33 36 39 45

FALL IN LOVE WITH LANESBORO DURING EVERY SEASON

Each season offers new activities, opportunities and events in Lanesboro.

Read about what Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall have to offer!

P.36

DISCOVER THE “STORY” OF LANESBORO’S NEW THEATER DISTRICT MURAL

In Spring of 2020, a new Theater District Mural will be installed in Downtown Lanesboro. Find out how it was painted, and the symbols that can be found within it.

WHALAN: MORE THAN A (STAND-STILL) PARADE

EXPLORE LANESBORO

Five miles east of Lanesboro on the Root River State Trail is the town of Whalan, a place so small that it shares Lanesboro's zip code. Find out about the unique culture of this hidden gem!

4

ENTERTAINMENT AND EVENTS

6

DINING AND SPIRITS

BUCKET LIST CHALLENGE 2020

9

ARTS AND CULTURE

14

TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS

17

GROUP FACILITIES AND RENTALS

18

LODGING | B&BS

19

LODGING | RESORTS

28

LODGING | HOTELS AND INNS

30

LODGING | VACATION APARTMENTS

Create your own Bucket List for your visit, and submit it for a drawing to win a weekend package in Lanesboro!

THE DRIFTLESS REGION

What is Karst Topography? Learn about the geological events that created the rolling hills of Bluff Country.

GRAND OLD LADIES OF LANESBORO

Everyone knows San Francisco is famous for its "Painted Ladies" style homes, but what does Lanesboro have? The Victorian-era home, of course!

LANESBORO: THE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

Lanesboro is the place to Live, Work and Play. Why do we call it home and why should you make it your home?

A TRIP DOWN THE LANESBORO ROAD

"I came down that road, and..." is the way many stories begin here in town.

Find out why.

AND HOUSE RENTALS

32 SHOPPING 34 CAMPGROUNDS 37

OUTDOOR RECREATION

38

COMMUNITY AND LOCAL SERVICES

42

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

3

ENTERTAINMENT

AND EVENTS

If you’re looking to play in Lanesboro, the only problem you’ll have is choosing between so many options! From unique family festivals, live music and amazing theatre, to art tours, pub crawls, parades and more, make your choices and join the fun!

APRIL 24-26 | BLUFF COUNTRY STUDIO ART TOUR

WINTER

Lanesboro | Begin at the Juried Sales Gallery at Lanesboro Arts, then travel scenic back roads to the studios of the area’s artists.

FEBRUARY 1 | CANDLELIGHT SKI

Whalan | Ski or walk on a half-mile of illuminated Root River State Trail, complete with a bonfire and soup and sandwich supper in the historic Town Hall.

FEBRUARY 14-16 | LOVEBIRDS IN LANESBORO

Lanesboro | Reconnect with your sweetheart during a weekend away—lighted luminaries, couples activities and discounts.

MAY – OCT | LANESBORO FARMERS MARKET

Lanesboro, Sylvan Park | Saturdays 9am-noon Local produce and goods for sale weekly.

MAY 9 | SPRING GIRLS DAY OUT

Lanesboro, downtown | Includes a style show, live music, street market, drawings and discounts in participating stores.

MAY 16 | STAND-STILL PARADE

Whalan | It’s a parade like you have never seen before—the parade “Stands Still” while the spectators move around it. Enjoy music, artisans, crafters and great food. Fun for all ages!

SPRING MARCH 6-8 | INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF OWLS

Houston | Enjoy a weekend in Lanesboro and take a day trip to the Owl Festival in Houston, the only North American, fullweekend, all-owl event.

MARCH 14 | CABIN FEVER

Fight the winter blues and get out of the house by visiting Lanesboro for shopping, dining and entertainment.

APRIL 25 | GET SQUIRRELLY WITH SURLY

MAY 14-17 | BLUFF COUNTRY GATHERING

Lanesboro | Old-time music festival/camp with workshops, concert and square dance. May 15: Concert, Community Center, May 16: Barn Dance, Community Center.

MAY 25 | MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

Lanesboro, Community Center | 10am Honoring our fallen comrades with a parade, program of patriotic music, speakers and gun salute with taps.

Lanesboro | Join your friends for Lanesboro’s fourth annual Spring Pub Crawl. Participating bars are serving Surly. Enjoy great beer, time with friends and crawl on!

4

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO

SUMMER JUNE 6 | RHUBARB FESTIVAL

Lanesboro, Sylvan Park | Celebrate Minnesota’s sweet-tart favorite.

Free tastings of rhubarb delights, games, music and entertainment.

JUNE 20 | ART IN THE PARK

Lanesboro, Sylvan Park | Annual fine art festival—90+ exhibitors, delicious food, live music and entertainment.

JUNE 19-20 | 60-MILE GARAGE SALE

RHUBARB DREAM BARS 2019 Rhubarb Festival Winner: Nancy Ohnstad 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 stick softened butter. Mix together and put in an 8x8 pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 min at 350 degrees.

Meanwhile, mix together 2 large beaten eggs, 1/4 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1/4 tsp salt. Fold in 2 cups diced rhubarb.

Pour into hot crust. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.

~Enjoy!

Trail Towns | Shop the nine towns along the Root River State Trail and everywhere in between.

JULY 10 | RELAY FOR LIFE

Lanesboro, Sylvan Park | The ultimate team fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, that brings communities together to fight cancer. It's an opportunity for us to remember loved ones lost and honor survivors of all cancers.

JULY 30-AUG 2 | BUFFALO BILL DAYS

Lanesboro | Lanesboro’s city-wide festival: marketplace, food booths, entertainment, dance, volleyball and softball tournaments, grand parade and fireworks.

FALL AUG 14-15, SEPT 18-19, OCT 2-3 LANESBORO AREA ART TRAIL

Lanesboro | Take a self-guided tour of area art studios.

SEPT 12 | FALL BEER AND WINE FEST

Lanesboro | Enjoy Oktoberfest and seasonal fall beers from Midwestern craft breweries at Lanesboro bars and restaurants.

SEPT 12, 19, 26 | TASTE OF THE TRAIL

Trail Towns | Sample cuisine and culture along the Root River State Trail! Three weekends in September.

SEPT 12: Lanesboro, Peterson, Whalan SEPT 19: Fountain, Harmony, Preston SEPT 26: Houston, Rushford, Rushford Village

OCT 3 | OKTOBERFEST: FALL INTO LANESBORO

Lanesboro | Welcome fall with activities for the whole family.

OCT 10 | THE FILTHY 50

Lanesboro | Register at thefilthy50.com. The Filthy 50 is a beautiful, unsupported, gravel bicycle riding event that begins and ends in Lanesboro. Race it and set a record. Ride it and take in the beauty. Either way, get filthy.

WINTER NOV 21 | EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC

Lanesboro | Holiday fun for the whole family! Cookie decorating, bonfires and Santa!

NOV 28 | EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC

Lanesboro | Come enjoy a day of holiday shopping and activities.

Support your neighborhood businesses in Lanesboro on Small Business Saturday®.

DEC 5 | HOLIDAY DINNER DANCE

Lanesboro, Community Center | Live entertainment, social hour, dancing and fine cuisine.

SEPT 19-20 AND 26-27 HISTORY ALIVE POP-UP PLAYS

Lanesboro, Sons of Norway Lodge | 1pm and 3pm True stories of Lanesboro’s beginnings, performed in various historic locations, led by a guide. Huge cast with music and dance.

SEPT 26 | FALL GIRLS DAY OUT

Lanesboro, downtown | This event includes a style show, live music, street market, drawings and special discounts in participating stores.

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

5

DINING

AND SPIRITS

$

Y

l

HAWAIIAN SHAVED ICE

$

S

HIGH COURT PUB

$$

Y

$$

Y

l

l

l

OLD VILLAGE HALL RESTAURANT AND PUB

$$$

S

l

l

l

PEDAL PUSHERS CAFÉ

$$

S

$$

Y

l

l

$$

Y

l

l

FOUR DAUGHTERS VINEYARD AND WINERY

$$$

Y

l

l

OLD BARN RESTAURANT

$$

S

l

l

Outdoor Seating

l

Dinner

S

Lunch

$

Breakfast

AROMA PIE SHOPPE

Liquor Service

l

Beer and Wine

S

Meeting Space

$

Catering Available

Seasonal/Year-round

ANOTHER TIME ICE CREAM PARLOR AND CHOCOLATES

*Price Range: $ $0-7 | $$ $8-17 | $$$ $18 and up

Accepts Credit Cards

Price Range

Accepts Reservations

The Lanesboro area offers a variety of friendly restaurants, cafes, pubs and wine bars providing delicious food, awardwinning pie, ice cream, bakery sweets, cold beer and spirits.

Bon Appétit—in Lanesboro!

LANESBORO DINING AND SPIRITS 100 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-3556 | anothertimeicecream.com 618 Main St, Whalan | (507) 467-2623 | Find us on Facebook

GRANNY’S LIQUOR

113 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2700 | grannysliquor.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram 401 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-2253 109 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2782 | highcourtpub.com

HOME SWEET HOME CAFÉ AND CAKERY

AD P. 8

210 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2244 | lizscakes.com | Find us on Facebook 111 Coffee St E | (507) 467-2962 | oldvillagehall.com AD P. 7

121 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-1050 | pedalpusherscafe.com

ROOT RIVER UNWINED

AD P. 7

102 Coffee St W | (224) 688-4663 | unwinedlanesboro.com

open all day l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

open all day open all day

l

open all day

l

open all day

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

open all day

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

NEARBY DINING AND SPIRITS B&B OLYMPIC BOWL

401 Kansas St NW, Preston | located on Highway 52 | (507) 765-2522 bandbbowlandrestaurant.com | Find us on Facebook 78757 State Hwy 16, Spring Valley | (507) 346-7300 | fourdaughtersvineyard.com AD P. 35

24461 Heron Rd, Preston | (507) 467-2512 | barnresort.com

6

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO

DINING AND SPIRITS 102 COFFEE ST W, LANESBORO UNWINEDLANESBORO.COM | 507.225.2392

WINE, BEER AND SMALL PLATES. SPECIALIZING IN FOOD AND DRINK PAIRINGS.

www.pedalpusherscafe.com

507.467.1050 2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

7

FALL IN LOVE WITH LANESBORO

DURING EVERY SEASON WINTER

See complete Lanesboro Event Listings on p.4-5 or Lanesboro.com

A snowy afternoon in Lanesboro is so beautiful and serene, you may think you’ve stepped into a snow globe. The unique Norwegian heritage of our area makes us experts at “Hygge” (a Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and feeling of contentment). As fields, trees and lawns go dormant, our streets see fewer visitors. The locals lovingly call it “The Quiet Season,” but that quiet provides an opportunity for unplugging and seeking out unique indoor and outdoor adventures that only winter can offer. With good snowfall, portions of the Root River State Trail are groomed for crosscountry skiing, or bring your snowshoes to hike around Sylvan Park and other nearby trails. Weekends provide time to shop and dine in downtown Lanesboro, or just kick back by the fire in your historic Bed and Breakfast.

SPRING

Home Sweet Home Café & Cakery

April’s arrival brings snow melt (or sometimes more snow), buds opening, green colors awakening, and the promise of warmth to come. Wildlife is stirring, and you are certain to enjoy the sounds of many birds returning north: you may even catch a glimpse of a newborn fawn! Lanesboro is also starting to awaken, as its retail, dining, lodging and other businesses extend their hours once again and prepare to greet another busy season with warm hospitality and excitement. Anxious anglers are ready for the trout opener in April and a chance to catch rainbow and brown trout in some of the best streams in the country. Other species in the river include smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappies, channel catfish and more. Bicyclers arrive to ride the Root River State Trail to move their legs after winter and see which early native wildflowers may be blooming. Spring here also brings the season opener for The Commonweal Theatre Company, a professional live theatre company that produces shows from May through December.

Lunch Specials Sunday Breakfast Buffet

(507) 467-2244 210 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro

» CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

8

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

Cakes, Cookies, Cupcakes & More!

#ONLYINLANESBORO

l

www.LizsCakes.com

ARTS

AND CULTURE Lanesboro is alive with the arts and history! Take in a spirited comedy or stirring drama in a state-of-the-art professional theater. Enjoy an inspiring regional art tour or gallery opening. Catch a concert or unique film event. Delve into genealogy, old photos or local history at the Lanesboro Historical Museum.

BLUFF COUNTRY STUDIO ART TOUR

bluffcountrystudioarttour.org Join us April 24-26 for the 20th Annual Bluff Country Studio Art Tour. Travel the scenic byways of the Bluff Country region to tour studios of the area’s finest artists and artisans.

CHERYL LAMON-ARTIST

108 Coffee St E | (507) 467-4466 cherylsfabricgarden.com One of my greatest joys is working with bright, bold color. I blend colors to make things out of fabric and add decorative stitching to create motion and depth. Each piece is made with creative artistic energy whether it is a quilt or wall hanging.

COMMONWEAL THEATRE

208 Parkway Ave N | (800) 657-7025 commonwealtheatre.org Award-winning, professional live theatre since 1989! With an enticing mix of musicals, comedies, dramas and more, there’s something for everyone at the Commonweal!

Commonweal: Professional l Live l Theatre.

AD P. 11

HISTORIC FORESTVILLE

JOAN FINNEGAN FINE ARTS

105 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-2177 Experience the culture and values of Lanesboro’s people. Three floors of history with a new Lanesboro women display, an interactive phone booth and activities for kids.

The museum is part of Lanesboro’s voice to the world. Check us out on Facebook.

LANESBORO AREA ART TRAIL

Sarah Peterson, Master Photographer 30601 Grouse Rd | (507) 421-9906 petersoncreativephoto.com Specializing in professional high-quality portrait art for your home. Portrait sessions offered on location or in her country studio.

Schedule your appointment for beautiful portraits that you’ll treasure for years to come.

PO Box 19, Lanesboro | (651) 307-6373 lanesboroareaarttrail.com Visit Lanesboro's vibrant community of artists during these self-guided studio art tour weekends: Aug 14-15, Sept 18-19 and Oct 2-3.

LANESBORO ARTS

103 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2446 lanesboroarts.org Multi-disciplinary arts organization offering year-round programming including place-based artist residencies, “Surprise Sculpture” arts education, and the annual “Art in the Park” fine art festival. AD P. 12

LANESBORO ARTS GALLERY

21899 Co Rd 118, Preston | (507) 765-2785 mnhs.org/forestville Located in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park: Explore the choices and changes that faced the inhabitants of this area—from ancient peoples to today’s residents. Finish the visit with a game of croquet or horseshoes on the lawn. AD P. 15

103 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2446 lanesboroarts.org Year-round non-profit art gallery presenting accessible and diverse artworks in a rotating exhibition gallery, a juried sales gallery featuring 90+ artists and artist demonstrations. AD P. 12

HISTORY ALIVE! LANESBORO

LANESBORO COMMUNITY THEATER

Lanesboro | (612) 823-0776 facebook.com/historyalivelanesboro Our Pop-up Plays are true stories of Lanesboro performed in our historic streets. Huge cast and new stories each year. Performing in the afternoons on September 19-20 and 26-27 at Sons of Norway Lodge.

LANESBORO HISTORICAL MUSEUM

34617 Co Rd 12 | (507) 272-0254 joanfinnegan.com Open for Art Tour and by appointment only, Joan's studio is a short drive from Lanesboro.

She offers a variety of handpainted works that feature sprawling landscapes and scenes from farm life in the Driftless Area. Joan's work can be found in a variety of area galleries, including the Lanesboro Arts Gallery.

lanesborocommunitytheater.blogspot.com LCT presents a winter play, a summer musical and silent movies in the park in the fall. Look for us on Facebook to learn about auditions and performances.

PETERSON CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN

SISTER LUV

(507) 210-5635 Sister Luv is composed of four sisters, who have been singing together for most of their lives.

They have performed at Care Centers, Churches, Eagles Cancer Telethon and other special events. The girls have appeared on the "Over The Back Fence" radio show in Lanesboro, and they acted in many local plays.

ST. MANE THEATRE

206 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2446 lanesboroarts.org/st-mane-theatre Intimate performing arts venue presenting a full schedule of concerts, film screenings, professional drama and community theatre productions. AD P. 12

STEVE HARRIS-WRITER

(952) 836-7904 | sharris1962@msn.com Steve Harris, author of “Lanesboro, Minnesota,” is a writer and is available for freelance contract work. AD P. 45

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

9

“When art is everywhere, it changes the feeling of the downtown area.”

-ERIK PEARSON, ARTIST

DISCOVER THE STORY

OF L ANESBORO’S NEW THEATER DISTRICT MURAL! Big cities have big theater districts. In New York, it’s Broadway. Chicago has one, too. Minneapolis? The Hennepin Theater District. All are venues for great shows and fun entertainment and very popular with lots of people.

Did you know that Lanesboro has a theater district, too?

Smaller, for sure, but offering wonderful theatre and entertainment in two historic downtown theaters, the Commonweal and the St. Mane. Both are very popular, with lots of people attending from Lanesboro and beyond.

In the spring of 2020, a beautifully-crafted, communitypainted mural will be installed to celebrate our town’s theater district. Located on the north end of Parkway Avenue, the mural is the result of a partnership between the Commonweal Theatre and Lanesboro Arts. Funding for the paint was provided by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s “Paint the Town” grant program. Ideas came

from Lanesboro residents (of all ages), and the person who created it is Erik Pearson, a St. Paul artist. Erik is known locally as Lanesboro Arts' first artist-in-residence in 2001, for his work in the Lanesboro Schools and for his large panel paintings for the Commonweal’s “construction zone” in 2005, which later graced the interior walls of the former Intermission Restaurant.

Pearson designed the new Lanesboro mural as a work that tells a story (see page 11). More than 200 people (both local residents and visitors) helped paint it last October.

The mural—created on parachute-like material—will be permanently attached to the south corner wall of the Manion Law Office Building in the spring of 2020.

Maybe you’ve enjoyed plays and concerts in New York, Chicago or Minneapolis. You may be a regular patron of the arts in Lanesboro’s Theater District, too. If not, come by soon. You won’t want to miss what’s going on here!

ADAM WILTGEN ERIK PEARSON KARA MALONEY Lanesboro Arts

10

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO





FIND THE STORY IN LANESBORO’S THEATER DISTRICT MURAL

The panels Pearson created tell a story using real and fictional characters based on his own research and historical photos.

Here are just a few details featured in the mural.

The fairy in the top left corner is on the stage, and represents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which was the Commonweal Theatre Company's first production in 1989.

The character performing with the guitar represents the St. Mane Theatre, because it hosts both professional and communitybased musical performers.

The audience member with the broom represents Robert Greer, one of the first businessmen of Lanesboro and the first mayor.

The woman above Mr. Greer represents one of the former switchboard phone operators in town, and the phone line travels to each character, ending on stage, plugged into the guitar.

Learn more about the mural at lanesboroarts.com

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

11

Âť CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

SUMMER Spring seamlessly changes into Summer, as Lanesboro is hopping with visitors, warm temperatures, river activities, vibrant energy and festivals! We Minnesotans know that summer is the time to enjoy as many days as possible outdoors on the Root River State Trail, hiking at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center and canoeing, tubing or kayaking the scenic Root River. Sylvan Park is a great place to play basketball, tennis or pickleball, get some energy out at the playground, fish the pond or enjoy a picnic under beautiful trees. The Lanesboro Golf Course and Rivers Bend Golf Course are waiting for you to practice your game along gorgeous views of bluffs and nature. There are many front porches from which to watch the world go by and various outdoor venues to dine al fresco and delight in seasonal flavors, madefrom-scratch delicacies, unique cocktails and local beers or wines. Events are plentiful in the summer; there’s never a weekend without activities. Visit Lanesboro in the summer to enjoy all we have to offer: natural beauty, outdoor recreation, fishing, art, theatre, history, shopping, dining and a time to truly unwind.

12

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

FALL In September, anticipation for the coming leaf change is seen in the way our streets are lined with corn stalks, mums and pumpkins. The Fall colors are reason alone to visit Lanesboro in October. Catch a glimpse of sugar and red maples, burr, red and white oaks, aspen, birch and other hardwood species. There is still plenty of opportunity to enjoy the colors, and more than 40 species of birds from the Root River State Trail, hiking trails or the river, as you fish or kayak. Art, history and beauty lovers flock to Lanesboro in the Fall for the annual performances of the History Alive Pop-Up Plays, the Lanesboro Area Art Trail and to check out the Lanesboro Historical Museum.

#ONLYINLANESBORO

WHALAN, MINNESOTA

MORE THAN A (STAND-STILL) PARADE! Head about five miles east of Lanesboro on the Root River State Trail, and you’ll find Whalan, a peaceful village with a fun history (think railroads, tobacco and mink farms), friendly people and more going on than you might imagine in a town whose population teeters near 63.

“Bikers often tell us they think Whalan is the nicest spot on the trail. Well, that’s something we don’t mind bragging about.”

-WES HARDING WHALAN, MINNESOTA

“What’s going on in Whalan?” is a question usually answered in two ways. First answer, great pie. The Aroma Pie Shoppe, located near the bike trail, has served homemade pies for more than 30 years. “World Famous Pies” is painted on the side of its building. People believe it. Second answer, the also-famous “Stand-Still Parade.” On the third Saturday of May each year (2020 will be its 26th) this parade—where the spectators do the moving—draws throngs of happy people from across the region for the parade, food, music and a little dancing.

It doesn’t get much better in Bluff Country.

There’s also Taste of the Trail (this year, September 12th) that celebrates Whalan’s Norwegian heritage. Have you ever tasted lefse or rommegrot?

Give it a try. (Those strong of heart and taste bud can look for “blod klub” - blood sausage). While in town check out Gator Greens Mini-Golf Course and Treasures on the Trail gift shop.

For winter fun there’s Whalan’s Annual Candlelight Ski, on the first Saturday in February. Cross-country ski, hike, warm up by the bonfire, enjoy soup and sandwiches from the Ladies Legion Auxiliary in the Town Hall. Small-town Minnesota at its best.

One question, two answers. Plenty more fit. What’s going on in Whalan?

How about the July 4th Whalan Lutheran Church Softball Tournament, the first tournament ever inducted into the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame?

It became an all-girl tourney last year.

Here’s still another answer to our “what’s going on?” question. Cedar Valley Resort offers eleven log-sided cabins that accommodate from two to 38 guests, as well as the new Rustic Hearth Event Center. They call it “a Bluff Country paradise,” and that’s no

exaggeration, either.

So there’s lots going on in this little town. We haven’t even mentioned the hiking, biking, fishing, tubing, canoeing and more that makes this entire area one of Minnesota’s great recreation destinations and a joy for the people who call it home. Come discover Whalan…it’s much more than a parade!

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

13

TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS You’ll be amazed by all you can discover and experience here! Whether that happens in a cave (there’s one of the country’s best here), in Amish country, on the Root River in a tube, canoe or kayak, by birding in the bluffs or by hiking or biking on the Root River State Trail, Bluff Country calls out for exploration!

Guided Tours of Amish Country

AMISH BACKROADS AUDIO TOUR

(507) 467-8663 | (507) 467-2992 | amishbackroadstour.com Year-round—Mon-Sat: Drive in your car to Amish shops and sites guided by pleasant narration. Rent CD at Amish Experience or Stone Mill Hotel and Suites or download at website.

BLUFFSCAPE AMISH TOURS

102 Beacon St E | (507) 467-3070 | bluffscape.com Seasonal—Educational, respectful and fully narrated three-hour Amish tours visiting farms and shops. AD P. 14

INTERNATIONAL OWL CENTER

126 Cedar St E, Houston | (507) 896-6957 | internationalowlcenter.org Year-round—Experience big and small live owls up close and personal at the only owl education center in the USA! Open Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon. Live owl programs: See events on Lanesboro.com for details. AD P. 15

NATIONAL TROUT CENTER

120 Saint Anthony St S, Preston | (507) 765-2452 | nationaltroutcenter.org Holds hands-on workshops and clinics on stream ecology and fishing.

Subjects may include fly casting, knot tying, fly tying, lure making, rod building, nature photography, insect identification and water quality sampling. Additionally, the NTC seeks to become the “go to place” for authoritative information about “All Things Trout.”

A step back in time Lanesboro, Minnesota

Step back in time and tour Amish at their farms and shops. Learn about the Amish culture while munching on buttery, sweet Amish cashew crunch! Fully narrated with a respectful, professional guide in an air-conditioned van or bus. Step-on guides available for large tour buses.

Daily Tours

NIAGARA CAVE

29842 Co Rd 30, Harmony | (507) 886-6606 | niagaracave.com Seasonal—Rated one of the top caves in the U.S. and voted “Best Family Destination.” Underground waterfall, stalactites, fossils and more. AD P. 15

NIAGARA CAVE MINI GOLF

29842 Co Rd 30, Harmony | (507) 886-6606 | niagaracave.com An 18-hole mini golf course located on the grounds of Niagara Cave. Play the 18-hole course for $8, or 9-holes for $5. Group rates for organizations are available by appointment. AD P. 15

April–October 10 am & 1:30 pm Saturdays in November No Sunday Tours

Departures

Stone Mill Hotel & Suites 102 Beacon St E, Lanesboro 507-467-3070 bluffscape@hotmail.com

www.bluffscape.com

SCANDINAVIAN INN MYSTERY NIGHTS

701 Kenilworth Ave S | (507) 467-4500 scandinavianinn.com/mystery-nights Unique mysteries held in a B&B specifically designed to host them. Think Agatha Christie, but without the murder. Think 1940s, with your character actively participating in an evening of deception and intrigue. AD P. 29

STONE MILL HOTEL AND SUITES HISTORIC INN TOUR

100 Beacon St E | (507) 467-8663 | stonemillsuites.com Year-round—Free self-guided tours of the themed rooms and suites of our renovated 1884 historic hotel. AD P. 27

Join us for 14

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO

3 hours in Amish Country!

TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS ONE SMALL TOWN, MANY BIG STORIES Tour this historic town as you explore the choices and changes that faced area inhabitants.

EXPERIENCE OWLS

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Houston, Minnesota

FORESTVILLE/MYSTERY CAVE STATE PARK • 507-765-2785 MNHS.ORG/FORESTVILLE

Open Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon 10 AM–5 PM Daily programs — check our website Adults: $7 / Ages 4–7: $4 / 3 & under: FREE 507-896-OWLS (6957) • InternationalOwlCenter.org Please call or check our website for Fall–Spring hours.

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

15

s r e t t fi t u O &

ew!

NRustic Hearth Event Center Open Year-Round!

CEDARVALLEYRESORT.COM 3 TO 8 BEDROOM CABINS

We accommodate



4 MINUTES FROM LANESBORO

507.467.9000

Families. Reunions. Girls Weekends. Crafting Groups. Business Retreats. Couples.

16

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYIN LANESBORO

GROUP FACILITIES

AND RENTALS

Small town, unique meetings, big results! Schedule your conference, reunion or retreat in the unique setting of Historic Lanesboro. It’s all available—from conference facilities and entertainment to catering, team-building, group tours, photography and more—make your group event the best experience yet!

James A. Thompson House Bed & Breakfast Inn

LANESBORO COMMUNITY MEMORIAL CENTER

202 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-3722 | lanesboro-mn.gov Year-round—Business conferences, reunions, weddings and dances.

Capacity: 400 people.

THE RUSTIC HEARTH EVENT CENTER

905 Bench St, Whalan | (507) 467-9000 | cedarvalleyresort.com Surrounded by the beautiful bluffs of SE Minnesota's Driftless region, our Rustic Hearth Event Center has all the ambiance and amenities for your group's next event. It includes high-end video and audio integration, fully stocked catering kitchen, 2000 square foot meeting space with rustic stone fireplace, two breakout rooms and a beautiful deck. AD P. 16

SACRED CLAY COUNTRY INN

23234 Grosbeak Rd | (507) 467-9605 | sacredclayinn.com An ideal venue for weddings, family reunions and retreats. We have nine bedrooms. Five with private baths. No minimum stay. AD P. 31

SONS OF NORWAY HALL—HEIMBYGDA LODGE

200 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-0100 (David Susag) Year Round—Newly renovated rental available for groups and family gatherings. Full kitchen. Capacity: 100 or 60 at tables.

Call for rates.

Your Lanesboro adventure begins here.

Call (507) 467-2253

Find the dam and you’ve found us!

401 Parkway Ave S, Lanesboro, MN

www.jamesathompsonhouse.com

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

17

l

l

l

$115200

6

F

l

l

l

$125160

3

F

l

l

l

$85130

5

C

l

l

$160260

9

F

l

l

$140170

5

F

l

l

$120210

6

F

l

l

Rates

l

l

LANESBORO BED AND BREAKFASTS BERWOOD HILL INN

22139 Hickory Rd | (612) 867-3614 | berwood.com

HABBERSTAD HOUSE B&B

706 Fillmore Ave S | (507) 467-3560 | habberstadhouse.com

HISTORIC SCANLAN HOUSE B&B INN

708 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-2158 | scanlanhouse.com

AD P. 19

AD P. 27

JAMES A THOMPSON HOUSE B&B

401 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-2253 | jamesathompsonhouse.com

AD P. 17

O’LEARY’S B&B

707 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-3737 | olearysbandb.com

SACRED CLAY COUNTRY INN

23234 Grosbeak Rd | (507) 467-9605 | sacredclayinn.com

SCANDINAVIAN INN

AD P. 31

701 Kenilworth Ave S | (507) 467-4500 | scandinavianinn.com

AD P. 29

l

NEARBY BED AND BREAKFASTS OAKENWALD TERRACE B&B

218 Winona St SE, Chatfield | (507) 867-3806 | oakenwaldterrace.com

18

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

AD P. 29

#ONLYINLANESBORO

l

Pets Welcome

F

l

Children Welcome

Fireplace and/or Whirlpool

6

l

Handicap Accessible

Free WiFi

$135299

Bike Storage

F

Meeting Room

5

Kitchen

Continental or Full Breakfast

$160225

Proclaimed the "Bed and Breakfast Capital of Minnesota" by the governor in 2009, Lanesboro offers a diverse array of lodging choices! Use this guide to find quality accommodations and the preferred amenities you’ve come to expect.

Restaurant on Site

Number of Rooms

LODGING

Meeting Room

Bike Storage

Free WiFi

Fireplace and/or Whirlpool

Handicap Accessible

Children Welcome

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

Pets Welcome

Kitchen

Restaurant on Site

Continental or Full Breakfast

Number of Rooms

Rates

LODGING

RESORTS CEDAR VALLEY RESORT

905 Bench St, Whalan | (507) 467-9000 | cedarvalleyresort.com

$1501250

AD P. 16

11

>> CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

Access lanesboro.com and use our convenient search tool to check lodging availability.

Habberstad House Bed and Breakfast A most relaxing retreat

Choose from six luxurious guest rooms scrumptious breakfasts made-from-scratch Guest-focused amenities

info@habberstadhouse.com 706 Fillmore Ave. S, Lanesboro |

507-467-3560

www.habberstadhouse.com 2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

19

What’s on YOUR Bucket List?

TAKE THE 2020

LANESBORO BUCKET LIST CHALLENGE! “Bucket lists” inspire us to dream and to do things we’ve always wanted to do. Here’s one for you to do that’s just plain fun—the 2020 Lanesboro Bucket List Challenge!

Completing this Challenge makes you eligible for Bluff Country prizes!

Look over the Challenge rules and details, then plan your Bluff Country adventures for 2020. Do you live here? Choose experiences you may have planned for years. Are you visiting? Do the Challenge in a day or a weekend, or plan more than one trip here this year. Bluff Country is fun in every season.

Whenever and however it works for you, take the Lanesboro Bucket List Challenge!

The Challenge includes goods, services and experiences offered by members of the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce. Try some delicious pie, stay in a comfy bed and breakfast, delight yourself with fine dining at a local restaurant, rent a bike and discover the Root River State Trail, sip award-winning wine, take Welcome to the 2020 an Amish tour, shop in beautiful, quaint BUCKET LIST stores, try your hand at fly fishing, explore CHALLENGE wonders in a local cave—the list has plenty to try and enjoy!

E EXPLORE THE BEAUT Y OF BLUFF COUNTRY AS YOU WANDER THROUGH L ANESBORO SEE OPPOSITE SIDE FOR PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES.

D ER R

EX

VE CO S I

Enter the 2020 Lanesboro Bucket List Challenge and join the fun!

20

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO

CE N

IE

R PE

What’s on YOUR Lanesboro area “Bucket List?"

AN W

R

O PL

EX

D

ONCE COMPLETE TURN IN TO ANY PARTICIPATING BUSINESS OR MAIL TO: L ANESBORO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. BOX 348, L ANESBORO, MN 55949. DUE BY 12.31.2020

_

What will you discover?

If missing from your guide come to the Visitors Center to get your copy!

Welcome to the 2020

BUCKET LIST CHALLENGE

ï„·

EXPLORE THE BEAUT Y OF BLUFF COUNTRY AS YOU WANDER THROUGH L ANESBORO SEE OPPOSITE SIDE FOR PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES.

ER

D R E V O SC

R PE

E

EX

O L P X

AN W

E R

CE N IE

I

D

ONCE COMPLETE TURN IN TO ANY PARTICIPATING BUSINESS OR MAIL TO: L ANESBORO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. BOX 348, L ANESBORO, MN 55949. DUE BY 12.31.2020

_

What will you discover?

CHALLENGE

FOUNTAIN CHATFIELD 311 502 509 628 636

GATHER 16 STICKERS TO COMPLETE YOUR VERY OWN BUCKET LIST CHALLENGE. LIMIT 3 STICKERS PER CATEGORY. SEE OPPOSITE SIDE FOR PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES. PUT MEMBER NUMBER IN THE BOX BELOW WITH STICKER!

AN W

OX TR

SEE DOWN FOR DETAI

BASS POND

AIL RD

ER

E

SOFTBALL FIELD

FREE PARKING

D

O L P X

RIVERS EDGE

RW

AY

DR

CE UF TR

NI

C

B

A YW

Y

L

AI

T

PETERSON RUSHFORD HOUSTON

TERRACE

16 ÿ

VIK IN G AV E

O

AS A

SHERIDAN ST W

TR

N OU FC

CE T I O NAL S

ST

302

RO

EW

2ND AVE

BL

3RD AVE

RK

IC

NA

P LE

NT

637

AT E

403 501 608 702

PA

OR

R

ST

MAIN ST

RI

908

OAK ST

Y

ST

VE

421

I

3 6

617

R

BEN CH ST

N

HALF ST

HI

More to Explore!

F FI TBA EL L D L

613

VE T RI

16 ÿ

504

ROO

(4 MILES)

614

1ST AVE

503 615 634

WHALAN

O

R

R O C H E L L E AV E S

N

D

RO

T

R CA IVE R M PG VIE RO W UN D

IE

R PE

V O SC

I

SO

VE R

EX

ER

ONCE COMPLETE, TURN IN TO ANY PARTICIPATING BUSINESS OR MAIL TO: L ANESBORO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO BOX 348, L ANESBORO, MN 55949. DUE BY 12.31.2020

LANESBORO

ST

AT

NO

E TR L AI

E R

ÿ8 R O C H E L L E AV E N

BUCKET LIST

WHITTIER ST W

PRESTON HARMONY CANTON

103 303 507 805 844

104 305 605 815 903

206 409 612 816

207 417 631 818

850

825

T H BRANCH ROOT R IVE R

847

M

W IL

AU

E

823

TR AI L R S TAT E E V I R T ROO

ÿ 8

609 KE

RD

TO

16 ÿ

HIGHWAY BRIDGE FOOT BRIDGE ROOT RIVER STATE TRAIL

N

AV E

VI

NAL

GE

EW

H I S T O R I C B L U F F C O U N T R Y N AT IO

RK PA N D U AN LN S Y LV G R O MP CA

638

tennis courts

basketball courts

831 KIRKWOOD ST E

835 902

ÿ 250

209 632

627

16 ÿ

622

826

ASHBURN ST E 817 201 633 202 420

BEACON ST E

309 806

610

505

Ro

ALLEY

845 315

822 416 414

406

FREE PARKING

102 108 838 625

ALLEY

306

LANESBORO PUBLIC GOLF CLUB

PUBLIC SHOWERS

RIVERS EDGE DR

313

WHITTIER ST E

PUBLIC BATHROOMS

DOWNTOWN LANESBORO

SHE RID AN ST E

619

FIRE DEPARTMENT

302 403 421 501 503 504 608 613 614 615 634 702 908

204 419 602 801 841

R

Softball Field

AU B U R N AV E S

5

C A L H O U N AV E S

601

PLEASANT ST E

F I L L M O R E AV E S

PA R K WAY AV E S

834

K E N I LW O R T H AV E S

109

ST W

W A

RN

D

8

FREE PARKING

Y

BY

BU

RI

ÿ

SYLVAN PARK

711

CITY CAMPGROUNDS

WHALAN

PETERSON, RUSHFORD HOUSTON

SC

JO

809 830 701

PARKING

SEE INSET MAP

IC

H

EN

N

COYNE ST

volleyball courts

AU

DR N

901

SO

HILLCREST ST

703

HISTORIC DAM

t Rive r o o R h c n a r B h t u So

L L E AVE N O CH E

+

DOWNTOWN PATHWAY

16 ÿ

C A L H O U N AV E

NTON LANESBORO MAP ILED BUISNESS LISTINGS

100 MILWAUKEE ROAD 507.467.2696 WWW.LANESBORO.COM CITY STREETS

DUPONT ST E

823

VISITOR CENTER

MAJOR ROADS

832

ELMWOOD ST E

307 624

KEY

107 630

308 814

ÿ 8

201 401 604 105 626

101 404

827 623 810

COF FEE ST E 506 415

839 418

706 422 301

M

W

IL

A

312

RD 843 E KE U 823 616

ELMWOOD ST E

803

106

ALLEY

607

K E N I LW O R T H AV E N

COFF EE ST E

LEWISTON

250

ALLEY

PARKWAY AVE N

BEACON ST E

KENILWOR TH AVE N

ASHBURN ST E

DR

ÿ

629

PA R K WAY AV E N

SOU

Ox

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

START PLAYING TODAY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN GREAT PRIZES, INCLUDING A WEEKEND PACKAGE IN LANESBORO!

ARTS AND CULTURE

101 102 103 104 105 106

107

108 109

Cheryl Lamon - Artist Commonweal Theatre Company Historic Forestville Joan Finnegan Fine Arts Lanesboro Arts Gallery Lanesboro Historical Museum and Storytelling Telephone Booth Peterson Creative Photography and Design St. Mane Theatre Steve Harris - Writer

TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS

201 Amish Backroads Audio Tour 202 Bluffscape Amish Tours 204 International Owl Center 206 National Trout Center 207 Niagara Cave 209 Scandinavian Inn Mystery Nights

DINING AND SPIRITS

301 Another Time Ice Cream Parlor

and Chocolates 302 Aroma Pie Shoppe 303 B&B Olympic Bowl 305 Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery 306 Granny's Liquor 307 Hawaiian Shaved Ice 308 High Court Pub 309 Home Sweet Home Cafe and Cakery 311 Old Barn Restaurant 312 Old Village Hall Restaurant and Pub 313 Pedal Pushers Cafe 315 Root River Unwined

SHOPPING

401 Amish Experience 403 Cedar Hollow Gift Shop 404 Cheryl's Fabric Garden

and Handcrafted Boutique 406 E2 Boutique 409 Harmony Foods 414 Parkway Market and Coffeehouse 415 The Peddler 416 PlanetBrick.com Lego Sets and Parts 417 Preston Foods 418 Root River Rod Co. 419 Rushford Foods 420 Stone Mill Clothing & Gifts 421 Treasures on the Trail 422 Windy Mesa Jewelry and Art

OUTDOOR RECREATION

501 Cedar Valley Resort Outfitters 502 Eagle Bluff Environmental

Learning Center 503 Eagle Cliff Campground Outfitters 504 Gator Greens Mini Golf 505 Lanesboro Public Golf Club 506 Little River General Store & Outfitters 507 Niagara Cave Mini Golf 509 River's Bend Golf Course

LODGING

Staying with us? That’s worth 2 stamps!

601 A Guest Hus Motel

and Historic Knotty Pine Cabins 602 Andor Wenneson Inn 604 Art Loft Lodging 605 Berwood Hill Inn 608 Cedar Valley Resort 609 Coffee Street Inn 610 Cottage House Inn 612 Cozy Quilt Cottage 613 Cyclin-Inn 614 Cyclin-Up Inn 615 Eagle Cliff Hotel 616 Grandma's Inn 617 Green Gables Inn 619 Habberstad House B&B 622 Historic Scanlan House B&B Inn 623 Iron Horse Outfitters and Inn 624 James A. Thompson House B&B 625 Marquee Suites 626 Mrs. B's Historic Lanesboro Inn 627 O'Leary's B&B 628 Oakenwald Terrace B&B 629 Riverside Suites 630 Root River Valley Cabin 631 Sacred Clay Country Inn 632 Scandinavian Inn B&B 633 Stone Mill Hotel and Suites

CAMPGROUNDS

Staying with us? That’s worth 2 stamps!

634 Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging 636 Old Barn Resort 637 Riverview Campground 638 Sylvan Park Campground

WORSHIP

901 Bethlehem Lutheran Church 902 Discovery Faith Community 903 Elstad Lutheran Church 908 Whalan Lutheran Church

GROUP FACILITY RENTALS AND EVENTS

Full event information at lanesboro.com 704 Bluff Country Gathering held at #701 705 Bluff Country Studio Art Tour

starts at #105 706 Filthy 50 707 History Alive! Lanesboro starts at #703 708 Lanesboro Area Art Trail starts at #101 709 Lanesboro Arts held at #108 701 Lanesboro Community Memorial Ctr 710 Lanesboro Community Theater at #108 711 Rhubarb Festival 702 The Rustic Hearth Event Center 712 Sister Luv (not on map) 703 Sons of Norway - Heimbygda Lodge

COMMUNITY AND LOCAL SERVICES

801 AcenTek 803 American Legion Post #40 805 Bluff Country Newspaper Group 806 Bunge Construction, Inc. 809 City of Lanesboro/Public Utilities 810 Coffee Street Fitness & Dance 814 Eye Prize Marketing 815 F & M Community Bank 816 Fillmore County Journal 818 Haakenson Electric Inc. 822 Krage Insurance Agency

and Preble Farmers Mutual 823

Lanesboro Area Chamber of

Commerce & Visitor Center 824 Lanesboro Area Community

Foundation (not on map) 825 Lanesboro BP Food Shop 826 Lanesboro Car Wash & Laundromat 830 Lanesboro Public Library 831 Lanesboro Public School

and Childcare Center 832 Lanesboro Sales Commission 834 Life Style Inc - Kenilworth Apartments 835 Life Style Inc - Sylvan Manor 837 Lions Club of Lanesboro (not on map) 838 Manion Law Firm 839 Merchants Bank 841 MiEnergy Electric CoOp 844 Pamela Ristau CPA 845 Preston Specialties Inc. 817 Revival House Therapeutic Massage

and Wellness 847 RLH Grain 850 Thrivent Financial

 ONCE ONCE COMPLETE, COMPLETE TURN IN TO TO ANY ANY PARTICIPATING PARTICIPATINGBUSINESS BUSINESS OR MAIL TO: L ANESBORO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OR MAIL TO: LANESBORO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P.O. BOX 348, L ANESBORO, 55949.

DUE BY 12.31.2020 PO BOX 348, LANESBORO, MNMN 55949.

DUE BY 12.31.2020 NAME:

PLEASE WRITE LEGIBLY. IF WE CAN’T READ IT, WE CAN’T ENTER YOU IN THE AWESOME PRIZE DRAWINGS. * REQUIRED INFO TO ENTER CONTEST

 NAME* ADDRESS

CITY, STATE EMAIL*

ZIP CODE* PHONE*

MONTH(S) YOU VISITED I'D LOVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT:  VISITING LANESBORO  FRIENDS OF LANESBORO GUEST MEMBERSHIP  RELOCATING TO LANESBORO

WANT TO TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUCKET LIST CHALLENGE? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT BELOW OR VIA SOCIAL MEDIA WITH #LANESBORO MN

Prizes are non-transferable. No cash value. No purchase necessary to enter.

RULES

The “Lanesboro Bucket List Challenge” is sponsored by the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC). Contest is open to legal residents of their respective countries where not prohibited by law, who are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of entry. The Challenge runs from 1.1.2020 to 12.31.2020. LACC reserves the right to extend or shorten the contest at its sole discretion.

How to Enter: Gather 16 stamps on the Bucket List Challenge form from participating businesses.

Limit three stamps per category. Entrants must fill out all required fields on the entry form and return the form to the Lanesboro Visitor Center. Each entry form will receive one entry in the drawing.

Winner Selection: All eligible entries received during the Submission Period will be entered into a database. A Grand Prize winner will be chosen at random and announced on or about 1.31.2021.

Prizes: Grand Prize: A Weekend Package in Lanesboro. Up to three runner-up prizes will also be given away. Full contest rules available at lanesboro.com/bucketlistchallenge

LODGING

“Top 10 places to

wake up in the state of Minnesota”

1-800-944-2158 or local 507-467-2158  708 Parkway Avenue South, Lanesboro ScanlanBB@aol.com  www.ScanlanHouse.com 2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

27

Children Welcome

Pets Welcome

CONT’D

Handicap Accessible

Fireplace and/or Whirlpool

l

l

l

l

Free WiFi

l

Bike Storage

Meeting Room

Kitchen

Restaurant on Site

Continental or Full Breakfast

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Number of Rooms

Rates

LODGING

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

LANESBORO HOTELS AND INNS A GUEST HUS MOTEL AND HISTORIC KNOTTY PINE CABINS

$69115

7

COFFEE STREET INN

$60280

8

COTTAGE HOUSE INN

$70110

15

$85

5

GRANDMA’S INN

$65$110

8

C

GREEN GABLES INN

$78$98

15

C

$115200

6

F

IRON HORSE INN AND OUTFITTERS

$99165

4

MRS. B’S HISTORIC INN

$99185

9

F

l

l

l

$160260

9

F

l

l

l

$90210

13

C

l

l

l

$89145

9

C

l

l

l

610 Parkway Ave S | (507) 438-5272 | aguesthus.com

305 Coffee St E | (507) 467-2674 | coffeestreetinn.com 209 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2577 | cottagehouseinn.com

EAGLE CLIFF HOTEL

35455 St Hwy 16 | (507) 467-2598 | eagle-cliff.com

AD P. 34

100 Elmwood St E | (507) 467-2144 | grandmasmn.com 303 Sheridan St W | (507) 467-2936 | greengablesinn.us

HISTORIC SCANLAN HOUSE B&B INN

708 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-2158 | scanlanhouse.com

AD P. 27

100 Coffee St | (507) 951-2955 | ironhorselanesboro.com 101 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2154 | mrsbsinn.com

SACRED CLAY COUNTRY INN

23234 Grosbeak Rd | (507) 467-9605 | sacredclayinn.com

STONE MILL HOTEL AND SUITES

100 Beacon St E | (507) 467-8663 | stonemillsuites.com

AD P. 31

AD P. 27

C

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

NEARBY HOTELS AND INNS ANDOR WENNESON INN

425 Prospect, Peterson | (507) 875-2587 | andorwennesoninn.com

>> CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

28

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO

LODGING “The quintessential B&B” –Minnesota Monthly Panoramic view of the scenic Root River Valley from our Rooftop Gazebo

1892 Victorian in Historic Lanesboro  Elegant breakfasts with organic and local fruits and vegetables, free-range eggs and meats, local dairy, fair-trade coffees and teas  Five guest rooms  Five blocks from bike trail  Butterfly-friendly lawn and gardens  Now featuring Mystery Nights 701 Kenilworth Ave S, Lanesboro, MN 55949 507-467-4500 scandinavianinn@acegroup.cc

www.scandinavianinn.com

Oakenwald Terrace BED & BREAKFAST

Experience the elegance of this 1897 Victorian House adorned with exquisite woodwork, museumcaliber collectibles, warm parlors and grand porches. Enjoy the entire home, then retire to a luxurious suite with private bath. In the morning gather for a four-course breakfast in the glamorous dining room. A destination unto itself, yet only 20 minutes to Rochester and Lanesboro.

National Register of Historic Places

218 Winona St, Chatfield, MN  507-867-3806 

www.oakenwaldterrace.com

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

29

1

l

l

l

MARQUEE SUITES

$100165

2

l

l

l

RIVERSIDE SUITES

$199259

2

l

l

l

COZY QUILT COTTAGE

$150230

9

l

l

l

l

CYCLIN-INN

$150300

7

l

l

l

l

l

CYCLIN-UP INN

$150300

8

l

l

l

l

l

ROOT RIVER VALLEY CABIN

$125225

8

l

l

l

l

l

CONT’D

Pets Welcome

Children Welcome

Handicap Accessible

Fireplace and/or Whirlpool

Free WiFi

$100135

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

Kitchen

ART LOFT

Rates

Bike Storage

Meeting Room

Restaurant on Site

Continental or Full Breakfast

Number of Rooms

LODGING

APARTMENT VACATION RENTALS 103 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2446 | artlofts.org 204 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-3474 | marqueesuites.com 208 Ashburn St E | (507) 467-2144 | riversidesuiteslanesboro.com

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

WHOLE HOUSE VACATION RENTALS 23824 Holly Rd | (507) 459-8722 | cozyquiltcottage.com 439 Half St, Whalan | (507) 251-5101 | cyclin-inn.com 920 Bench St, Whalan | (507) 251-5101 | cyclin-inn.com 34880 Fawn Dr | (507) 990-5265 | vrbo.com/1311007

30

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO

l

LODGING | SHOPPING

507-467-2015 or 651-233-7688

Located on the Bike Trail 431 Half St., Whalan, MN

An Artisan Boutique

s Unique Locally Made Items s Many Items for the Cyclist s Featuring our Popular Bike Rim Flowers

www.treasuresonthetrail.com HOURS

Sun: 11 am - 4 pm Mon: 10 am - 4 pm Tues & Wed: CLOSED

2020 EDITION

|

Thurs: 10 am - 4 pm Fri & Sat 10 am - 4:30 pm Also open by Appointment

LANESBORO.COM

|

31

SHOPPING From fine to funky, practical to quirky, Lanesboro merchants offer it all. You’ll find bicycle accessories, camping supplies, sporting convenience items, DNR licenses and cross-country ski passes, apparel, artisan goods and inspiration for your quilting project. Browse home décor and fine art or sample a locally grown treat.

AMISH EXPERIENCE

105 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2992 Year-round—Books, specialty foods, Willow Tree, jewelry, clothing. Bike and camping items.

CEDAR HOLLOW GIFT SHOP

905 Bench St, Whalan | (507) 467-9000 cedarvalleyresort.com Open year-round—Our quaint gift store offers a unique variety of area products, handcrafted items and seasonal apparel, accessories and jewelry. Five minutes from Lanesboro. AD P. 16

PARKWAY MARKET AND COFFEEHOUSE

CHERYL’S FABRIC GARDEN

108 Coffee St E | (507) 467-4466 cherylsfabricgarden.com Year-round—Come and see Cheryl’s beautiful quilts on display, with many of them for sale.

Fabric, thread and notions available. Sewing classes and quilting retreats also available. Stop in and see Cheryl.

E2 BOUTIQUE

117 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2994 Year-round—Affordable trendy fashions for all ages. Come in and see our wide variety of kids and adult fashions and gifts.

LANESBORO BP FOOD SHOP

LITTLE RIVER GENERAL STORE

105 Coffee St E | (507) 467-2943 LRGeneralStore.com Seasonal—Bicycle, canoe, kayak and tubing rentals and sales. Bicycle clothing, accessories, t-shirts and more. AD P. 33

201 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2500 TheParkwayMarket.com Corner grocer coffeehouse bringing good food to Lanesboro 365 days a year. Fresh produce, coffee, cheese, groceries, chocolates and sundries. Open 8am-8pm.

THE PEDDLER

107 Coffee St E | (507) 380-1677 facebook.com/LanesboroPeddler Year-round—A mix of old and new in our historic building; focusing on handmade, fair trade and fun vintage items.

PLANETBRICK.COM

SA Petroleum, Inc. 100 Sheridan St W | (507) 467-2121 sapetroleum.net Year-round—Your small town convenience store with quality gas, groceries, snacks and DNR licenses. 24-hour pay at the pump available.

201 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2500 planetbrick.com The Galaxy's Junkyard for Toys Since 2001, Planet Brick, was built around the idea that a high quality, well-loved toy can live a new life, even if it's missing pieces. Here, you can select the exact replacement parts you need to make your child's favorite LEGO creation complete again or get a bulk supply of the pieces you need for your next giant contraption.

ROOT RIVER ROD CO

116 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2101 rootriverrodco.com Year-round—Full-service trout fishing shop— gear, guides, and lodging. Custom-made bamboo rod maker and vintage tackle dealer.

RUSH FOODS, INC.

Open year-round – Full-service grocery stores focused on providing a wide variety of fresh Produce, Meat, Bakery and Deli products. Many local products available including Spring Grove Soda, Norsland Lefse, Metz Creamery Cheese and more. Three locations to serve you better.

HARMONY FOODS

55 Center St W, Harmony | (507) 886-2225 myharmonyfoods.com

PRESTON FOODS

105 Fillmore St W, Preston | (507) 765-2465 myprestonfoods.com

RUSHFORD FOODS

400 S Mill St, Rushford | (507) 864-2878 myrushfordfoods.com

STONE MILL CLOTHING AND GIFTS

100 Beacon St E | (507) 467-8663 stonemillsuites.com Year-round—Visit the Stone Mill Hotel and Suites gift shop to discover unique clothing, jewelry, Baggallini, Amish baskets, cards and home décor. We also have the Amish Backroads Tour CD available for rent. AD P. 27

TREASURES ON THE TRAIL

431 Half St, Whalan | (507) 467-2015 treasuresonthetrail.com Seasonal—An artisan boutique featuring unique, handcrafted items. Many one-of-a-kind items made just for cyclists. AD P. 31

WINDY MESA

102 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2198 windymesajewelry.com Seasonal—Authentic Native American jewelry and art.

32

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO

THE DRIFTLESS REGION In Lanesboro, we have a lot of natural beauty to brag about—rolling hills, limestone rock walls, abundant freshwater streams and fertile soil.

Every year, thousands of people enjoy the beauty of Bluff Country, but it took a great deal of geological coincidence to create the sights and activities we enjoy today.

The origins of our limestone baselayer can be traced back 500 million years—before the formation of the Pangea Supercontinent. Southwest

Minnesota was the base of a shallow sea, and teaming with life. Sand, mud and sea creature fossils were deposited and compacted into the limestone of Northeastern Iowa, Southwestern Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota. Over time, those deposits broke down and dissolved sedimentary rock, creating the Karst topography we see today—high bluffs, narrow valleys, sink holes and caves.

As the Earth cooled, much of the water on it froze into glaciers. These great ice

masses traveled across the continents and, as they melted, left behind gravel, clay, rocks and silt (a combination known as “Drift”).

Sometime between 12,000 and 14,000 years ago, the last glacier moved across the upper Midwest, and left piles of drift in its wake. The Karst topography of the area stopped the advancement of the glacier, leaving it free of drift.

Today, the entire tri-state area gets its name from our lack of drift—The Driftless Region.

Celebrating 32 Years in Business!

Little River General Store A Full Service Outfitter l Rentals l Sales l Retail

l

Repair

Bicycle & Recumbent Rental & Sales Canoe, Tube & Kayak Rentals

507-467-2943

l

www.LRGeneralStore.com

l

105 Coffee St, Lanesboro

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

33

Showers and Flush Toilets

Handicap Accessible

l

l

l

l

l

$2030

55

226

l

l

l

l

l

l

$26130

30

93

l

l

l

l

Swimming Pool

Outfitting Services

l

Golf Course

Accepts Reservations

226

Free WiFi

Water and Electric Hookups

55

On Site Restaurant

RV Sites

$2838

Rates

Tent Sites

Lanesboro's Campgrounds are the most scenic and peaceful in Minnesota! If you crave nature, campfires, river activities and more, you belong here.

Pets Welcome

CAMPGROUNDS

l

l

LANESBORO CAMPGROUNDS EAGLE CLIFF CAMPGROUND

35455 St Hwy 16 | (507) 467-2598 | eagle-cliff.com

AD P. 34

SYLVAN PARK AND RIVERVIEW CAMPGROUNDS

202 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-3722 | lanesboro-mn.gov

NEARBY CAMPGROUNDS OLD BARN RESORT

24461 Heron Rd, Preston | (507) 467-2512 | barnresort.com

AD P. 35

l

l

l

Reservations 507.467.2598 35455 State Hwy 16 E, Lanesboro

eagle-cliff.com A Stunningly Beautiful Campground

» Camping » Hotel » Outfitting » Event Center

34

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO

» 226 Tent, RV & Seasonal Sites » RV & Seasonal Sites with Full Hookups » 5 Unit Hotel sleeps up to 22 guests » Tube, Canoe & Kayak Outfitting » 80 Seat Banquet Facility » On the Beatuiful Root River » Access to Root River Bike Trail

MAKE LIFELONG MEMORIES 24461 Heron RD, PRESTON, MN, 507.467.2512

THE GRAND OLD LADIES OF LANESBORO People love Lanesboro for many reasons. One is the area’s natural beauty. The Root River, the bluffs, the nearby rolling fields, wide horizons and verdant forests have attracted people here for more than 150 years.

Parkway Ave S), Scandinavian Inn (701 Kenilworth Ave, 1892), Vickerman House (600 Calhoun Ave S, 1893), Anna V’s B&B (507 Fillmore Ave S, 1908) and Cady Hayes House (500 Calhoun Ave S, 1894).

Another beauty in Lanesboro is man-made—the town’s amazing historical architecture. San Francisco has its Victorians called “Painted Ladies.” Our town has similar late19th century homes. Let’s call them the “Grand Old Ladies of Lanesboro.” Some are large, some smaller and more delicate, but all are beautiful.

Some are “Queen Anne Victorians,” distinguished by large wrap-around porches, intricate stained glass windows, rounded towers or turrets, upstairs porches, high ceilings, and sweeping, ornate staircases. The homes were opulent, but not gaudy, wealthy yes, but with Midwest sensibility.

Norwegian immigrant craftsmen left their mark in creative embellishments and filigree, both inside and outside the homes. Their new look was combined with cutting edge amenities like indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water and electric lights. Gardens were common, so were servant quarters. A number have now been converted into B&Bs.

Lanesboro was founded in 1869, and within a decade the town was booming. Population soared. New shops and businesses opened almost weekly. Mills were humming, farmers and lumberers were prospering, optimistic bankers were lending money. Life was good.

People needed places to live, and the strong economy meant many could afford to build nice homes. Soon, all around town, but especially in the southern “Brooklyn” neighborhood, large Victorian homes were under construction.

So, as you visit this unique little town, or proudly call it “home,” make sure you enjoy the natural beauty so accessible here. But take time, too, to soak in the humanmade sights, including the grace and beauty of “The Grand Old Ladies of Lanesboro!”

The name comes from the “Victorian Era,” the reign of England’s Queen Victoria (1837-1901). It was a progressive time of new developments (from railroads to telegraph to telephones to automobiles) and styles, including the look of homes being built not just in England, but across North America…and all the way to Lanesboro, Minnesota.

Examples include the Thompson House (401 Parkway Ave S, 1870), Habberstad House (706 Fillmore Ave S, 1897), Scanlan House (708 Parkway Ave S, 1890), Samuel Nelson House (709

36

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

#ONLYINLANESBORO

OUTDOOR

RECREATION

Adventure abounds in this gorgeous Driftless Region of Southeast Minnesota! Experience a bike ride on the famous 60-mile paved Root River State Trail, a canoe, kayak or tubing trip down the Root River, the joy of bird watching or a round of golf. Enjoy the view, whatever you do!

Find Yourself in Nature...

CEDAR VALLEY OUTFITTERS

905 Bench St, Whalan | (507) 467-9000 | cedarvalleyresort.com Year-round—Canoes, kayaks, tubes, bikes, cross-country skis, snowshoes.

Five minutes from Lanesboro. AD P. 16

EAGLE BLUFF ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

28097 Goodview Dr | 888-800-9558 (MN,IA,WI) | (507) 467-2437 eagle-bluff.org Year-round—Let our professional guides help you reach new heights on our ropes course or explore Bluff Country on our nine miles of hiking and snowshoe/ski trails. Stop by our visitors center or register online for one of our scheduled events. AD P. 37

EAGLE CLIFF CAMPGROUND OUTFITTING

35455 State Hwy 16 | (507) 467-2598 | eagle-cliff.com Seasonal—Eagle Cliff Campground offers a variety of rentals, including bicycles, canoes, kayaks and tubes. Two or four hour trips and shuttle service available. AD P. 34

GATOR GREENS MINI GOLF

439 Half St, Whalan | (507) 251-5101 | cyclin-inn.com Seasonal—9-hole Mini Golf Course, Open Fri-Mon 11am-5pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Call for tee-times during off hours.

LANESBORO PUBLIC GOLF CLUB

900 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-3742 sites.google.com/site/lanesborogolfcourse Seasonal—Open to public. No tee-times are required. This 9-hole golf course offers elevation changes and gives all players the opportunity to challenge their game. Restaurant available in the club house.

LITTLE RIVER GENERAL STORE

105 Coffee St | (507) 467-2943 | LRGeneralStore.com Seasonal—Bikes, recumbents, canoes, kayaks, tubes, rentals, sales and repairs. Bike shuttle service. AD P. 33

RIVER’S BEND GOLF

24461 Heron Rd, Preston | (507) 467-2512 | barnresort.com Seasonal—Voted Bluff Country’s Best 18-Hole Golf Course. Located in an unrivaled setting of natural beauty. Full restaurant and bar. AD P. 35

9 Miles of Hiking Trails!

Open to the Public from Dawn till Dusk! eaglebluffmn.org/campus 28097 Goodview Drive, Lanesboro, MN 2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

37

CONT’D P. 40

COMMUNITY

AND LOCAL SERVICES Lanesboro possesses a thriving business community that supports residents and visitors alike! Come for a day, stay for a lifetime!

COMMUNITY

LANESBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY

202 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-2649 lanesboro.lib.mn.us Excellent full-service library open Mon-Sat. Comfy chairs and WiFi. Ongoing book sale.

Summer programming. Visitors welcome.

AMERICAN LEGION

103 Elmwood St E | (507) 467-3440 lanesboroamericanlegion.org America's largest wartime veterans service organization. Open daily, except Sundays in winter. Everyone welcome. Rental facilities available; do not need to be a member to rent.

LANESBORO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTER

100 Kirkwood St E | School (507) 467-2229 Child Care Center (507) 467-2175 lanesboro.k12.mn.us LPS offers an excellent core-course education, affordable in-house daycare and preschool, a strong community connection and a caring and safe environment.

BLUFF COUNTRY NEWSPAPER GROUP

124 Main St, Suite 200, Preston | (507) 346-7365 bluffcountrynews.com The News Leader covers news and events in central and southeastern Fillmore County communities. The News Leader is part of the Bluff Country Newspaper Group. Local coverage of sports, school news, church and community events is featured in each issue.

CITY OF LANESBORO

202 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-3722 lanesboro-mn.gov Contact our office for all your camping, building rental or utility questions. We can also assist with Planning and Zoning or City Regulation questions. Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-12pm, 12:30pm-3pm. After hours by appointment.

FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL

136 Saint Anthony St, Preston | (507) 765-2151 fillmorecountyjournal.com A weekly newspaper distributed free to every household in Fillmore County and a valuable local source of information for obituaries, birth notices, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, city council, school board and human interest stories.

LIFE STYLE INC.

(507) 467-2222 | (507) 451-8524 | tdd (507) 451-0704 Spacious smoke-free rentals for seniors (62+) or people on disability. Pets allowed with deposit.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

KENILWORTH APARTMENTS

LANESBORO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND VISITOR CENTER

100 Milwaukee Rd | (507) 467-2696 lanesboro.com Your information source for the Lanesboro area. Located downtown on the Root River State Trail. Find a place to stay, menus, maps and event announcements. Free WiFi.

LANESBORO AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

PO Box 370 | (507) 696-1884 | smifoundation. org/lanesboro-area-community-foundation Our mission: To be a good neighbor by investing in the vitality of the people and community of Lanesboro.

38

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

607 Kenilworth Ave S lifestyleinc.net/kenilworth.asp

SYLVAN MANOR APARTMENTS

503 Parkway Ave S lifestyleinc.net/sylvan.asp

LIONS CLUB OF LANESBORO

lions5m1.org/lanesboro “We serve.” Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion.

Lions are friends, family and neighbors who share a core belief: community is what we make it.

#ONLYINLANESBORO

LIVESTOCK AND AGRICULTURE LANESBORO SALES COMMISSION

402 Coffee St E | (507) 467-2192 lanesborosalescommission.com Family-owned and operated business specializing in providing a fair, competitive market for livestock buyers and producers. We look forward to serving your livestock needs.

RLH GRAIN

Rich Horihan 18 Beacon St E | (507) 467-2300 Grain handling, storage and tracking.

>> CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

“My husband and I visited Lanesboro and we liked it so much, we bought a house!”

-KATHY THISS

LANESBORO RESIDENT

LANESBORO:

THE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK

PL AY

Lanesboro, often called the “Magical Hamlet,” is a thriving southeastern Minnesota community that has become a destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors. It’s an old town by Midwestern standards, settled in 1856, but its 1970’s redo as a tourist destination owes much to the wisdom of converting an abandoned rail line into a bicycle trail.

Root River State Trail. Once in town, it’s an easy walk to the Commonweal Theatre, Lanesboro Arts, the Lanesboro Historical Museum, farmers market, restaurants and bed and breakfasts. Lanesboro has emerged not only as a tourist spot, but with a diverse economy based on agriculture, hospitality and the arts.

The town is nestled in the Root River Valley and surrounded by idyllic rolling countryside and limestone bluffs. It had been a busy milling community in the 1870s, when most of the downtown commercial district that remains today was built. A century later, most of the historic buildings were in disrepair and an old theater stood dark. The Milwaukee Road, which had closed its line through town, sold its 1870 depot. A citizens group used the depot’s reconstruction as a catalyst for cultural and commercial revitalization.

Members formed a task force, knocked on doors, held town meetings. City government, local nonprofit organizations and private individuals adopted a collaborative plan focusing on the region’s natural beauty, the arts and historic preservation.

>> CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

Around the same time, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) obtained the old railroad rightof-way, with plans to convert it to a recreational trail—a 60mile paved route that would meander along the Root River through picturesque limestone bluffs and small towns— including Lanesboro.

Lanesboro’s remarkable comeback as a livable rural community can be traced to pairing the town’s natural and cultural assets to accessibility. Today, people arrive to bicycle and canoe and even cross-country ski along the

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

39

COMMUNITY AND LOCAL SERVICES THRIVENT FINANCIAL

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38

102 Sheridan St W | (507) 467-3370 walter.bradley@thrivent.com Walter Bradley is your Thrivent Financial representative helping people in the Lanesboro area be wise with money and live generously.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EYE PRIZE MARKETING

SERVICES

107 Parkway Ave N | (612) 865-5103 eyeprizemarketing.com Your full-service digital marketing experts helping businesses develop and run effective internet ad campaigns that get results.

Whether you need product photography, video production or website design, we have you covered.

F&M COMMUNITY BANK

ACENTEK

207 E Cedar St, Houston | (888) 404-4940 acentek.net AcenTek is your local provider for Voice, Video, Internet, and Business Solutions, serving communities in Southeastern Minnesota, Northeastern Iowa and Michigan.

100 Saint Anthony St N, Preston | (507) 765-3823 fmcommunity.com “We make banking easy!”™ Simplify your banking with these easy-to-use services: online banking and bill pay, mobile app featuring instant balance, remote mobile deposit and person-to-person payments.

KRAGE INSURANCE AGENCY

205 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-3309 Helping people buy all kinds of insurance since 1970 – including home, auto, farm, crop, business, life and health and Medicare supplements. Also helping people buy and sell homes, farms and businesses with four licensed real estate agents.

MANION LAW FIRM, LLC

204 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2317 manionlawfirm.com A full-service law firm located in the picturesque town of Lanesboro, Minnesota.

General law practice including estate planning, criminal defense and family law.

MERCHANTS BANK

118 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-2145 merchantsbank.com Merchants Bank offers business, ag, SBA, home and consumer loans, lease financing, business and personal checking and savings accounts.

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

PAMELA RISTAU, CPA

209 Saint Anthony St S, Preston | (507) 765-2180 Accountant and Tax Preparer located in Preston, MN. Specializing in tax returns, payroll and bookkeeping services, she has been serving clients ranging from individuals, small businesses, agriculture operations, trusts and estates and non-profit organizations.

40

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

BUNGE CONSTRUCTION

(MN Lic. #7867) 100 Alley Dr | (507) 251-7952 General contractor serving southeast Minnesota with residential and light commercial construction services since 1980.

Specializing in developing highly efficient, low maintenance, accessible, single-level residences from twin-homes to four-plexes.

COFFEE STREET FITNESS AND DANCE

102 Coffee St E | (507) 272-3731 lanesborofitness.com A full-service fitness center that offers everything a person needs to maintain their health and fitness goals! Guest passes available for one day, two day or one week to work out in fitness center.

HAAKENSON ELECTRIC

326 Parkside Dr SE, Preston | (507) 251-5535 Agricultural, industrial and residential electrical service. 24-hour service.

LANESBORO CAR WASH AND LAUNDROMAT

102 Ashburn St E | (507) 951-7451 Year-round self-serve two bay car wash, and a laundromat with eight-20lb washers and dryers and one 35lb washer and dryer. Open 6am10pm. Change machine available.

MIENERGY COOPERATIVE

31110 Cooperative Way, Rushford | (507) 864-7783 MiEnergy.coop Tri-County Electric Cooperative and Hawkeye REC merged in 2017 to form MiEnergy CooperativeTM. MiEnergy is a wholesale electricity provider to the City of Lanesboro.

#ONLYINLANESBORO

PRESTON SPECIALTIES

103 Coffee St W | (507) 467-2137 prestonspecialties.com Protecting your products from the inside out.

Specializing in corrugated and composite structures, we custom design packaging to meet your specifications.

REVIVAL HOUSE THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE AND WELLNESS

100 Beacon St E | (507) 218-4071 revivalhousewellness.com Located in in the Stonemill Hotel and Suites, we offer holistic therapies in a comfortable, relaxing and luxurious environment.

WORSHIP BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 200 Kenilworth Ave S | (507) 467-3344 staronthehill.com Church is located on the hill overlooking downtown Lanesboro. Everyone is welcome!

Sunday worship at 9am. Refreshments and faith formation follow.

DISCOVERY FAITH COMMUNITY

507 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-2646 facebook.com/discoveryfaithcommunity An active lay led congregation serving the people of Lanesboro. Join us! Services Sunday mornings at 10:30am.

ELSTAD LUTHERAN CHURCH

37784 Dogwood Rd | elstadlutheranchurch.org A welcoming church in rural Lanesboro, surrounded by the fields and hills of southeastern Minnesota.

WHALAN LUTHERAN CHURCH

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 903 Oak St, Whalan | (507) 467-2159 Whalan Lutheran Church is serving the community and engaging and encouraging others through a life-changing journey.

Alternating start times each month. See listing on Lanesboro.com for schedule.

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

Want to live in Lanesboro?

We have it all—beauty and art, a school and library, a park, pie and pizza and, above all, community.

You truly can go to your neighbor's for a cup of sugar.

It takes an enormous amount of cooperation and energy to run our town. City employees, shopkeepers, innkeepers, Minnesota DNR, restaurateurs, American Legion, artists, actors, Chamber of Commerce, and many, many volunteers work together to make this a great place, whether you live here or are just visiting.

We make our own fun. We have festivals and music. We have community theatre and pop-up plays. We have cookie walks and silent auctions.

We have barn dances and parades. We have parties and church suppers. We have sing-a-longs and school concerts. We have been officially designated the Rhubarb Capital of Minnesota and are home to the Rhubarb Sisters and Rutabaga Brothers.

The flavor of our town is seasonal. In the winter, we relax and visit with our neighbors. In the summer, we share our town with the rest of the world. Winter rejuvenates us, and summer rejuvenates the town.

Join us!

OUR NEIGHBORS Hop in the car or on your bike. Go exploring—these trail towns are just a short trip from Lanesboro.

PRESTON

prestonmnchamber.com | 10 miles by bike | 8.4 miles by car

FOUNTAIN

fountainmn.org | 11 miles by bike | 9.7 miles by car

HARMONY

exploreharmony.com | 22.5 miles by bike | 13.6 miles by car

PETERSON

petersonmn.com | 13.5 miles by bike | 14.4 miles by car

RUSHFORD AND RUSHFORD VILLAGE

rushfordpetersonvalley.com | 18.3 miles by bike | 18.7 miles by car

HOUSTON

houstonmnchamber.com | 31.1 miles by bike | 29.5 miles by car

WHALAN

rootrivertrail.org/site/rrt-whalan-landing.php 4.6 miles by bike | 4.8 miles by car

MORE AT ROOTRIVERTRAIL.ORG

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

41

LANESBORO BUSINESS DIRECTORY

This Business Directory is sponsored by generous contributions from the City of Lanesboro, Lanesboro Public Schools and Lanesboro EDA. Thank you!

BUSINESS NAME

ADDRESS

ARTS AND CULTURE

Cheryl Lamon - Artist Commonweal Theatre Company Driftless Visuals Joan Finnegan Fine Arts Lanesboro Area Art Trail Lanesboro Arts Lanesboro Arts Gallery Lanesboro Historical Museum and Storytelling Telephone Booth Peterson Creative Photography and Design St. Mane Theatre

CAMPGROUNDS

Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging Gud-i-nuff Campsites Highway 250 Campground Sylvan Park and Riverview Campgrounds

42

|

#LANESBOROMN

|

MEMBER INFO

108 Coffee St E 208 Parkway Ave N PO Box 26 34617 Cty 12 PO Box 19 103 Parkway Ave N 103 Parkway Ave N

(507) 467-4466 (800) 657-7025 (612) 222-4003 (507) 272-0254 (651) 307-6373 (507) 467-2446 (507) 467-2446

P.9 P.9 P.9,12 P.9,12

105 Parkway Ave S

(507) 467-2177

P.9

30601 Grouse Rd 206 Parkway Ave N

(507) 421-9906 (507) 467-2446

P.9 petersoncreativephoto.com P.9 lanesboroarts.org/st-mane-theatre

35455 St Hwy 16 23653 Hickory Rd 25276 State Hwy 250 202 Parkway Ave S

(507) 467-2598 (507) 421-8008 (507) 467-3395 (507) 467-3722

37142 Doe Rd 205 Parkway Ave N 103 Elmwood St E 203 Sheridan St E 23032 Hickory Rd 26385 Hideaway Rd 100 Alley Dr 706 Viking Ave S 201 Ridgeview Ln S 202 Parkway Ave S PO Box 145 102 Coffee St E 210 2nd Ave, Whalan 109 Coffee St 22514 Grosbeak Rd 28097 Goodview Dr 100 Woodview Ave PO Box 712 107 Parkway Ave N 27835 Goodview Dr 100 Woodview Ave 808 Auburn Ave S 31088 State Hwy 16 26418 Hideaway Rd 401 Parkway Ave S 302 Elmwood St E 304 Sheridan St 205 Parkway Ave N 100 Milwaukee Rd PO Box 370 23785 Grosbeak Rd 100 Sheridan St W 102 Ashburn St E 100 Coffee St 202 Parkway Ave S 114 Coffee St 202 Parkway Ave S 100 Kirkwood St E 402 Coffee St E

(507) 875-2600 (507) 467-3783 (507) 467-3440 (507) 993-6399 (507) 467-2941 (507) 467-3372 (507) 251-7952 (507) 467-2118 (952) 210-9662 (507) 467-3722

COMMUNITY AND LOCAL SERVIES A Dog Spot Alton Erickson and Assoc. Real Estate Sales American Legion Post #40 Artisan Design and Landscape, LLC Bakke Cement and Masonry Bob's Body Shop Bunge Construction, Inc. Christie's Photo Church Hill School Condominiums City of Lanesboro/Public Utilities Classic Concert Enhancement, LLC Coffee Street Fitness and Dance Doc's Auto Body and Repair Dr. James Waldow, DDS Driftless Goat Company Dry Store Dybing Hydraulics, Inc. Engelson and Assoc LTD Eye Prize Marketing Fifth Sun Gardens Folkvangen LLC Good Job Painting, Snow Removal and Lawn Care Hebl Cleaning and Restoration Huntington Electric Jen You 1 Touch Massage Therapy Joel Pfeffer Construction Johnson-Riley Funeral Home and Cremation Svc Krage Ins Agency and Preble Farmers Mutual Lanesboro Area Chamber of Comm and Visitor Ctr Lanesboro Area Community Foundation Lanesboro Area Fisheries Lanesboro BP Food Shop S&A Petroleum, Inc. Lanesboro Car Wash and Laundromat LLC Lanesboro Entertainment Group, LLC Lanesboro Fire Hall (City Hall) Lanesboro Post Office Lanesboro Public Library Lanesboro Public School and Childcare Center Lanesboro Sales Commission

PHONE

(507) 272-3731 (507) 467-3598 (507) 467-2269 (507) 467-2077 (507) 951-7296 (507) 421-6731 (507) 467-1040 (612) 865-5103 (847) 626-8382 (507) 467-2345 (507) 450-6030 (507) 467-4798 (507) 467-2348 (507) 517-1119 (507) 317-4409 (507) 467-2130 (507) 467-3309 (507) 467-2696 (507) 696-1884 (507) 467-2442 (507) 467-2121 (507) 951-7451 (507) 475-3646 (507) 467-2225 (507) 467-2250 (507) 467-2649 (507) 467-2229 (507) 467-2192

#ONLYINLANESBORO

P.9 cherylsfabricgarden.com P.9,11 commonwealtheatre.org

P.28,34,37

joanfinnegan.com lanesboroareaarttrail.com lanesboroarts.org lanesboroarts.org

eagle-cliff.com

P.32

lanesboro-mn.gov

P.38

lanesboroamericanlegion.org

P.40

P.38 lanesboro-mn.gov P.40 lanesborofitness.com

P.40

eyeprizemarketing.com

P.40 P.38 lanesboro.com P.38 smithfoundation.org P.32 P.40

sapetroleum.net

P.38 lanesboro.lib.mn.us P.38 lanesboro.k12.mn.us P.38 lanesborosalescommission.com

Member of the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce bolded.

The information for listings in the Business Directory is provided by MN Public Records and LACC Staff efforts.

For any questions and/or inquiries please contact the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce Office at (507) 467-2696.

BUSINESS NAME Lanesboro Tire and Service Life Style Inc - Kenilworth Apartments Life Style Inc - Sylvan Manor Apartments Lions Club of Lanesboro LWMG Internet, LLC Manion Law Firm, LLC Merchants Bank Midwest Virtual Assistants MN DNR Root River Trail Center Preston Specialties Inc. Revival House Therapeutic Massage & Wellness River Hills Chiropractic, Dr. Kay Johnson RLH Grain Root River Recovery Scenic Design Hairstyling Sveen Construction Excavating Thrivent Financial Town Klippers Vis Plumbing and Heating

DINING AND SPIRITS

Another Time Ice Cream Parlor and Chocolates Aroma Pie Shoppe The Bite Granny's Liquor Hawaiian Shaved Ice High Court Pub Home Sweet Home Cafe and Cakery Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe Old Village Hall Restaurant and Pub Pedal Pushers Cafe Root River Saloon Root River Unwined Spud Boy Diner

ADDRESS 301 Sheridan St W 607 Kenilworth Ave S 503 Parkway Ave S PO Box 4 PO Box 145 204 Parkway Ave N 118 Parkway Ave N Lanesboro 100 Milwaukee Rd 103 Coffee St W 100 Beacon St E 102 Sheridan St W 18 Beacon St E 210 Zenith St 102 Sheridan St W 26926 Everyday Rd 102 Sheridan St W 207 Parkway Ave N 105 Sheridan St W

PHONE (507) 467-2293 (507) 451-8524 (507) 451-8524 (507) 398-3026 (507) 467-2317 (507) 467-2145 (507) 421-5493 (507) 467-2552 (507) 467-2137 (507) 218-4071 (507) 467-2629 (507) 467-2300 (507) 259-4309 (507) 467-2233 (507) 467-2510 (507) 467-3370 (507) 467-3528 (507) 467-2240

MEMBER INFO P.38 lifestyleinc.net P.38 lifestyleinc.net P.38 lions5m1.org/lanesboro P.40 manionlawfirm.com P.40 merchantsbank.com

P.40 prestonspecialties.com P.40 revivalhousewellness.com P.38

P.40 walter.bradley@thrivent.com

100 Parkway Ave N 618 Main St 111 Parkway Ave N 113 Parkway Ave N 401 Parkway Ave S 109 Parkway Ave N 210 Parkway Ave N 202 Parkway Ave N 111 Coffee St E 121 Parkway Ave N 112 Coffee St 102 Coffee St W 105 3/4 Parkway Ave N

(507) 467-2700 (507) 467-2253 (507) 467-2782 (507) 467-2244 (507) 467-2867 (507) 467-2962 (507) 467-1050 (507) 467-3355 (224) 688-4663 (563) 419-0727

202 Parkway Ave S 905 Bench St 200 Parkway Ave S

(507) 467-3722 (507) 467-9000 (507) 467-0100

P.17 lanesboro-mn.gov P.16,17,18,37 cedarvalleyresort.com P.17

A Guest Hus Motel and Historic Knotty Pine Cabins 610 Parkway Ave S Art Loft Lodging 103 Parkway Ave N Berwood Hill Inn 22139 Hickory Rd Bluff Country Retreat 26557 Evening Dr Blossom Valley Inn 511 New St, Whalan 111 1st Ave, Whalan Bluff View Guest House Brewster's Red Hotel 106 Parkway Ave S Cedar Valley Resort 905 Bench St Coffee Street Inn 305 Coffee St E Cottage House Inn 209 Parkway Ave N Country Haven B&B 32324 Cty Rd 12 Cozy Quilt Cottage 23824 Holly Rd Cyclin-Inn 439 Half St Cyclin-Up Inn 920 Bench St Grandma's Inn 100 Elmwood St E Green Gables Inn 303 Sheridan St W Habberstad House B&B 706 Fillmore Ave S High Court Loft 109 Parkway Ave N Hillcrest Inn 404 Hillcrest St E

(507) 438-5272 (507) 467-2446 (612) 867-3614 (612) 283-0591 (507) 450-2306

P.28 aguesthus.com P.30 artlofts.org P.18 berwood.com

GROUP FACILITIES RENTALS

Lanesboro Community Memorial Center The Rustic Hearth Event Center Sons of Norway - Heimbygda Lodge

LODGING

(507) 467-3556 (507) 467-2623

(507) 467-2999 (507) 467-9000 (507) 467-2674 (507) 467-2577 (507) 765-3389 (507) 459-8722 (507) 251-5101 (507) 251-5101 (507) 467-2144 (507) 467-2936 (507) 467-3560 (507) 951-4483 (310) 283-0077

P.6 P.6

anothertimeicecream.com

P.6 grannysliquor.com P.6 P.6 highcourtpub.com P.6,8 lizscakes.com P.6 oldvillagehall.com P.6,7 pedalpusherscafe.com P.6,7

unwinedlanesboro.com

P.16,17,18,37 cedarvalleyresort.com P.28 coffeestreetinn.com P.28,31 cottagehouseinn.com P.30 P.30 P.30 P.28 P.28 P.18,19

2020 EDITION

cozyquiltcottage.com cyclin-inn.com cyclin-inn.com grandmasmn.com greengablesinn.us habberstadhouse.com

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

43

LANESBORO BUSINESS DIRECTORY, CONT’D

This Business Directory is sponsored by generous contributions from the City of Lanesboro, Lanesboro Public Schools and Lanesboro EDA. Thank you!

BUSINESS NAME

ADDRESS

Historic Scanlan House B&B Inn Iron Horse Outfitters and Inn James A. Thompson House B&B Marquee Suites Mrs. B's Historic Lanesboro Inn O'Leary's B&B Riverside Suites Root River Valley Cabin Sacred Clay Country Inn Scandinavian Inn B&B Stone Mill Hotel and Suites

PHONE

MEMBER INFO

708 Parkway Ave S 100 Coffee St 401 Parkway Ave S 204 Parkway Ave N 101 Parkway Ave N 707 Parkway Ave S 208 Ashburn St E 34880 Fawn Dr 23234 Grosbeak Rd 701 Kenilworth Ave S 100 Beacon St E

(507) 467-2158 (507) 951-2955 (507) 467-2253 (507) 467-3474 (507) 467-2154 (507) 467-3737 (507) 467-2144 (507) 990-5265 (507) 467-9605 (507) 467-4500 (507) 467-8663

P.18,27,28 P.28 P.18,17 P.30 P.28 P.18 P.30 P.30 P.17,18,28,30 P.14,18,29 P.14,27,28

scanlanhouse.com ironhorselanesboro.com jamesathompsonhouse.com marqueesuites.com mrsbsinn.com olearysbandb.com riversidesuiteslanesboro.com vrbo.com/1311007 sacredclayinn.com scandinavianinn.com stonemillsuites.com

905 Bench St 28097 Goodview Dr 35455 St Hwy 16 439 Half St 900 Parkway Ave S 105 Coffee St 103 Rivers Edge Rd 101 Parkway Ave S

(507) 467-9000 (888) 800-9558 (507) 467-2598 (507) 251 5101 (507) 467-3742 (507) 467-2943 (507) 429-7202 (507) 467-3400

P.16,17,18,37 P.14,37 P.28,34,37 P.37 P.37 P.32,33,37

cedarvalleyresort.com eagle-bluff.org eagle-cliff.com cyclin-inn.com sites.google.com/sitelanesborogolfcourse LRGeneralStore.com

Amish Experience Beautiful Something Cedar Hollow Gift Shop Cheryl's Fabric Garden and Handcrafted Boutique Copper Crane Pottery Crown Trout Jewelers E2 Boutique Emil Farquarts ESSENCE Of Lanesboro Lanesboro Clockworks Lanesboro Farmers Market Man Art/Mom Art Parkway Market and Coffeehouse The Peddler PlanetBrick.com Lego Sets and Parts

105 Parkway Ave N 106 Coffee St E 905 Bench St, Whalan 108 Coffee St E 27972 Deep River Rd 107 Parkway Ave N 117 Parkway Ave N 108 Parkway Ave N 100 Parkway Ave S 100 Coffee St W 202 Parkway Ave S 110 Coffee St E 201 Parkway Ave N 107 Coffee St E 201 Parkway Ave N

(507) 467-2992 (507) 272-1257 (507) 467-9000 (507) 467-4466 (507) 875-2751 (507) 467-3078 (507) 467-2994 (507) 467-2004 (507) 467-2800 (763) 567-3440

P.32

Root River Hackle Root River Rod Co. Stone Mill Clothing and Gifts Treasures on the Trail Windy Mesa Jewelry and Art

36833 Dogwood Rd 116 Parkway Ave N 100 Beacon St E 431 Half St, Whalan 102 Parkway Ave N

(507) 467-2500 (507) 380-1677 (507) 467-2500 (507) 467-2135 (507) 467-2101 (507) 467-8663 (507) 467-2015 (507) 467-2198

102 Beacon St E Whalan 23789 Grosbeak Rd Whalan

(507) 467-2992 (507) 467-3070 (507) 467-3434 (507) 467-3771 (507) 467-2344

P.14 amishbackroadstour.com P.14 bluffscape.com

(507) 467-3344 (507) 467-2646

P.40 staronthehill.com P.40 facebook.com/discoveryfaithcommunity P.40 elstadlutheranchurch.org

OUTDOOR RECREATION

Cedar Valley Resort Outfitters Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center Eagle Cliff Outfitting Gator Greens Mini Golf Lanesboro Public Golf Club Little River General Store and Outfitters River Rats Outfitters Root River Outfitters

SHOPPING

TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS

Amish Backroads Audio Tour Bluffscape Amish Tours Ernie's 1917 Station Lanesboro State Fish Hatchery The Whalan Museum

WORSHIP

Bethlehem Lutheran Church Discovery Faith Community Elstad Lutheran Church Highland Lutheran Church North Prairie Lutheran Church St. Patrick's Catholic Church Union Prairie Lutheran Church Whalan Lutheran Church

44

|

#LANESBOROMN

200 Kenilworth Ave S 507 Parkway Ave S 37784 Dogwood Rd 22423 391st Ave 35957 State Hwy 30 100 Ridgeview Ln 31872 State Hwy 16 903 Oak St, Whalan

|

(507) 467-3318 (507) 875-2460 (507) 467-2480 (507) 467-3363 (507) 467-2159

#ONLYINLANESBORO

P.16,32 cedarvalleyresort.com P.32 cherylsfabricgarden.com

P.32

P.32 TheParkwayMarket.com P.32 facebook.com/LanesboroPeddler P.32 planetbrick.com P.32 P.27,32 P.31,32 P.32

rootriverrodco.com stonemillsuites.com treasuresonthetrail.com windymesajewelry.com

P.40

Member of the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce bolded.

"I came down that road and I knew I was home."

-ADRIENNE SWEENEY LANESBORO RESIDENT

A TRIP

DOWN THE LANESBORO ROAD County Road 8 comes down a steep hill into Lanesboro, a road as old as the town itself, with an inspiration all its own. Some early travelers described the trip as fairy tale.

Not everyone, though. M.G. Fellows, editor of the local newspaper in the early 1900s, described his first trip down that road like this.

“Brigadoon” is mythical. Lanesboro isn’t. It’s a real place with a real history, and real people living out all the realities— ups, downs, joys, sorrows and foibles—of human life. We don’t need to stretch the “brigadoon thing.” But we can enjoy it. Even find some relaxing peace in it. In today’s world, that’s not a bad thing. We need more brigadoons.

“Coming in sight of Lanesboro we beheld the village located along the river at the base of the bluff 300 feet below, the only way to get there being by a road excavated alongside of the bluff, too narrow for the passing of teams except in two or three places. I have crossed the Green Mountains of Vermont and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, but (approaching Lanesboro) I had never traveled over so perilous and unprotected a piece of highway.”

The Lanesboro road is open. It takes you down, pulls you in, and leads you out again. I hope you have your own “hill story”—or will in the future. Open yourself to Lanesboro and its series of simple pleasures. You’ll be glad you did.

Fellows says he was happy to get off that hill in one piece. It can still have a trace of that feel on an icy winter night, but mostly this road is fairy tale, about 20 seconds of peaceful village, church steeples and bridges, a tree-lined park, a flowing river, a pocket-sized dam, all sitting—as someone else described it—in a limestone bowl. Even the water towers look good.

From the book “Lanesboro, Minnesota,” by Steve Harris

Get your copy today!

“If you love Lanesboro, you’ll love this book!”

Lori Bakke Grannys Liquor

I’m not the only one mesmerized by this scene. I’ve heard many people refer to it as the first of their special Lanesboro memories. “I was driving into Lanesboro and I came down that hill…” is how those stories always start. People hit the phrase “came down that hill” and they smile, get a thoughtful look in their eye, and you see them searching for words to describe an experience, a feeling, that defies words.

But we keep trying. Here’s another one I’ve heard more than once. “I came down that hill and it felt like I was driving into Brigadoon!” A magical village in an old Scottish tale, “brigadoon” has come to mean “…a place that’s idyllic, unaffected by time, remote from reality.” I can see why people use it. Lanesboro…Brigadoon. It fits.

“A heartwarming and ingenious book!”

Theo St. Mane Author

AVAILABLE AT DOWNTOWN LANESBORO STORES, LOCAL IGA GROCERY STORES, AMAZON OR BY CONTACTING STEVE SHARRIS1962@MSN.COM OR (952) 836-7904

2020 EDITION

|

LANESBORO.COM

|

45

Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce PO Box 348 Lanesboro, MN 55949 (507) 467-2696 lanesboro.com

PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID LANESBORO, MN PERMIT NO. 43

#LANESBOROMN #ONLYINLANESBORO