GRAND OLD LADIES OF LANESBORO

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.

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.

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 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.

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!”

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!

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

Find Yourself in Nature...

9 Miles of Hiking Trails! Open to the Public from Dawn till Dusk!

eaglebluffmn.org/campus 28097 Goodview Drive, Lanesboro, MN

COMMUNITY AND LOCAL SERVICES CONT’D P. 40

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

COMMUNITY

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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