13 minute read
COMMUNITY AND LOCAL SERVICES
Lanesboro possesses a thriving business community that supports residents and visitors alike! Come for a day, stay for a lifetime! » lacc.mn/local
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
ACENTEK TELEPHONE ASSOC
207 E Cedar St, Houston | (888) 404-4940 acentek.net AcenTek, a member-owned cooperative is your local provider for Voice, Video, Internet, and Business Solutions, serving communities in Southeastern Minnesota, Northeastern Iowa and Michigan since 1950.
BUNGE CONSTRUCTION
100 Alley Dr | (507) 251-7952 Licensed General Contractor (MN Lic. #7867) serving Preston, Lanesboro, and Harmony area with residential and light commercial construction services since 1980.
EDWARD JONES
418 Sheridan St S, Houston | (507) 896-2101 edwardjones.com/mark-swenson What makes the Edward Jones business philosophy different is the way we build relationships: we partner together for the rest of our lives to make sure we stay on track with your financial goals.
EYE PRIZE MARKETING
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. Product photography, video, website design. AD P. 37
F & M COMMUNITY BANK
100 St. 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-toperson payments.
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
136 St. Anthony St, Preston | (507) 765-2151 fillmorecountyjournal.com A free distribution weekly newspaper delivered to over 17,000 households in Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted and Winneshiek counties, reporting on city, school, and county news.
GOOD JOB SERVICES
808 Auburn Ave S | (507) 450-6030 "Eric is by far the best painter in the area. He is meticulous and efficient. His attention to detail is what sets him apart. He's who to call if you want the job done right." —Nancy Martinson
HAAKENSON ELECTRIC
326 Parkside Dr SE, Preston | (507) 251-5535 Agricultural, industrial and residential electrical service. 24-hour service.
JOHNSON-RILEY FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES
304 Sheridan St E | (507) 467-2130 | rileyfuneralhomes.com Family owned and operated. Located in Chatfield and Lanesboro. Provides individualized funeral services designed to meet the needs of each family.
KRAGE INSURANCE AGENCY AND PREBLE FARMERS MUTUAL
205 Parkway Ave N | (507) 467-3309 Helping people buy all kinds of insurance since 1970: home, auto, farm, crop, business, life & health and Medicare supplements. Also helping people buy and sell homes, farms and businesses.
LANESBORO CAR WASH & 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. Change machine available.
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.
MIDWEST VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS
403 Elmwood St E | (507) 421-5493 midwestvirtualassistants.com Providing superior business support services so you can focus on the task at hand - growing your business! Travel arrangements, administrative support, social media, & event planning and much more!
MIENERGY COOPERATIVE
31110 Cooperative Way, Rushford | (507) 864-7783 MiEnergy.coop MiEnergy is a wholesale electricity provider to the City of Lanesboro.
PAMELA RISTAU CPA
209 St. Anthony St S, Preston | (507) 765-2180 pamristaucpa.com Accountant and Tax Preparer specializing in tax returns, payroll, bookkeeping services for individuals, small businesses, agriculture operations, trusts and estates and non-profit organizations.
PRESTON SPECIALTIES INC.
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.
THRIVENT FINANCIAL
102 Sheridan St W | (507) 467-3370 connect.thrivent.com/walter-bradley Walter Bradley is your Thrivent Financial representative helping people in the Lanesboro area be wise with money and live generously.
VIS PLUMBING & HEATING
105 Sheridan St W | (507) 467-2240 visplumbingheating.com A family-owned business that started in 1965. We offer a full line of plumbing and heating services for residential and commercial building needs. 24-hour service.
COMMUNITY
THE GRAND OLD LADIES OF LANESBORO
People love Lanesboro for many reasons. One reason 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.
Another beauty in Lanesboro is hand-built—the town’s amazing historical architecture. San Francisco has its Victorian homes called “Painted Ladies.” Our town has similar late-19th century houses that could rightly be called the “Grand Old Ladies of Lanesboro.” Some are large, almost majestic. Others are smaller and more delicate. All are beautiful and deserve a closer look.
Lanesboro was founded in 1869 and within a decade the town was booming. The population soared as daily trains deposited immigrants and adventurers. (Hard to believe, but more people lived in Fillmore County in those days than in what we call the Twin Cities). New shops and businesses opened almost weekly. Mills were humming, farmers and lumberers prospered, optimistic bankers eagerly lent money. Life was good and held the promise of only getting better.
People needed places to live, and the strong economy meant many could afford to build nice homes. Soon, all around town, but especially in Lanesboro’s 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. Local examples include the Thompson House (401 Parkway Ave. S., 1870), the Habberstad House (706 Fillmore Ave. S., 1897), the Scanlan House (708 Parkway Ave. S., 1890), the Samuel Nelson House (709 Parkway Ave. S.), the Scandinavian Inn (701 Kenilworth Ave., 1892), the Vickerman House (600 Calhoun Ave. S., 1893), Anna V’s (507 Fillmore Ave. S., 1908) and the Cady Hayes House (500 Calhoun Ave. S., 1894).
Several of those 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 and carriage houses were common and so were servant quarters. In recent decades, a number have been converted into stylish B&Bs.
As you visit this unique little town, or if you proudly call it “home,” make sure to enjoy the natural beauty so accessible here. Take time, too, to appreciate the grace and beauty of “The Grand Old Ladies of Lanesboro.”
AMERICAN LEGION POST #40
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.
CITY OF LANESBORO (OFFICE)
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.
CITY OF WHALAN (OFFICE)
224 2nd Ave, Whalan | (507) 467-2212 cityofwhalan.weebly.com Alongside the Root River Trail System and the beautiful Root River, Whalan offers a wealth of cultural, year-round recreational and sporting opportunities.
LANESBORO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITORS 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 Guest WiFi.
LANESBORO AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
PO Box 370 | (507) 696-1884 smifoundation.org/lanesboro Nonprofit 501c(3) that serves the Lanesboro Area by strengthening today and building a better tomorrow. Mission: To be a good neighbor by investing in the vitality of the people and 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.
LANESBORO PUBLIC SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE CENTER
100 Kirkwood St E | (507) 467-2229 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. (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
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
COFFEE STREET FITNESS & DANCE
102 Coffee St E | (507) 272-3731 lanesborofitness.com/main_page.html 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.
LIVESTOCK AND AGRICULTURE
FILLMORE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
Fillmore County Fair Grounds Fillmore St E, Preston | (507) 273-1481 fillmorecountyfair.com Host of Fillmore County Fair since 1865. This multi-generational event is a reflection of the values, culture, history, heritage and dreams of all that call Fillmore County their home.
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.
» Due to ongoing precautionary measures, please check online for up to date business and event information. » lacc.mn/ssl
WORSHIP
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
200 Kenilworth Ave S | (507) 467-3344 staronthehill.com Bethlehem Lutheran Church located on the hill overlooking Lanesboro is a congregation of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Everyone is welcome!
DISCOVERY FAITH COMMUNITY
507 Parkway Ave S | (507) 467-2646 facebook.com/discoveryfaithcommunity An active lay led congregation serving the people of Lanesboro. Please come and join us on this new adventure.
ELSTAD LUTHERAN CHURCH
37784 Dogwood Rd | (507) 765-3621 elstadlutheranchurch.org A welcoming small church in rural Lanesboro, surrounded by the fields and hills of southeastern Minnesota. Worship schedule is seasonal. Check website or Facebook for schedule.
WHALAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
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.
-KATHY THISS, LANESBORO RESIDENT
LANESBORO:
THE PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY
You know the saying, “It takes a village,”, well, Lanesboro Businesses quickly and thoughtfully changed their would be honored to be your village. This little village operation plans to prioritize the health and safety of their works together everyday through volunteerism, activism, staff, visitors, and local customers. Three new businesses entrepreneurism, and a genuine concern for each other. forged ahead and began in 2020: Root River Unwined, The region’s Spellbound Atelier, and Sylvan Brewing. With optimism and karst "Lanesboro is a fantastic place a strong entrepreneurial spirit, three more new businesses topography includes vast to run an online business. We have incredibly fast fiber internet, and the post office is were established at the start of 2021: Loubelle’s Ice Cream and Sandwich Shoppe, Whalan Depot, and The Guest Hus. underground just down the block.” Visitors still came to Lanesboro in 2020, and our tiny town rivers - CALEB LAURITSEN-NORBY proved itself once again to be a sought after reprieve from constantly (Business owner) everyday life and a chance to find pleasure in the here and moving and now through outdoor recreation, art, dining, shopping, and shaping the rock beneath our feet, and Lanesboro has relaxing in one of our Inns or B&Bs. that same river of energy from business owners, City » CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 government, Lanesboro EDA, the public school, non-profit organizations, residents and more that is constantly and diligently shaping the community for the better. Just as the whole world experienced the challenges, heartaches, and silver linings of 2020, Lanesboro did too. The lockdown happened right as Lanesboro was ready to welcome back visitors for the start of the 2020 tourist season, farmers were preparing to plant, and the school year was coming to a close. Although there were many moments of uncertainty and trying to accept a total lack of control, the community rolled up its sleeves to listen to one another, gather and share the most up to date science and information, and make the best of an adapted tourist season and very different year.
"Lanesboro is a great place to work for a number of reasons. Lanesboro has a great sense of community and collaboration. People are really willing to work together, support each other and understand that by doing so we all succeed! I have such a passion for this beautiful little city and am so happy to have my business in Lanesboro!" - LORI BAKKE (Business owner)
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Public Schools began its multimillion dollar renovation and addition project, with its brand new daycare facility (originally began in 1988, the first public school district to open a daycare in Minnesota!) opening up Despite the challenges of 2020, major community projects continued with optimism and perseverance to ensure stability for current and future generations. Our 153 yearold stone arch dam (only one of six "We moved to after Christmas break and the rest of the renovations to be completed in early 2021. This too is a promise for Lanesboro’s current and future families and children that the town prioritizes and recognizes the importance of education and care from cradle to graduation and beyond.
Lanesboro from Saint Paul in 2018 and love living in this community! With a great daycare & school system and friendly atmosphere, it's a great place to raise a family. Add to that ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, arts & culture, and community events, there's something for everyone. Our left in the country and originally built by Norwegianimmigrant stone masons), completed a renovation in the Fall of 2020, a promise for future generations to be able to harness the The Lanesboro Economic Development Authority (EDA) provides opportunities for businesses and community members through loan funds, programs and resources. The Lanesboro Entrepreneurial Action Network (LEAN) is a new subcommittee of the EDA which works to provide technical assistance and tools to existing and new businesses. LEAN was formed following a three-year Rural Entrepreneurial Venture project. The City of Lanesboro is a great resource to contact about housing development and any relocation family from the cities loves visiting!" power and beauty - JOE GOETZKE of the river and its (Lanesboro resident & transplant) waters. Lanesboro "Lanesboro is a great place to work and live and visit. I grew up in Southeast Minnesota during the farming era. People were and are really willing to work together, support each other and understand that by doing so we all do better. Lanesboro is a beautiful little city with a sense of arts and history and agriculture. Bravo Lanesboro!" - DON LUKKASON (Resident)
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OUR NEIGHBORS
Hop in the car or on your bike. Go exploring—these trail towns are just a short trip from Lanesboro. » rootrivertrail.org
PRESTON
prestonmnchamber.com | 10 miles by bike | 8.4 miles by car
PETERSON
petersonmn.com | 13.5 miles by bike | 14.4 miles by car
FOUNTAIN
fountainmn.org | 11 miles by bike | 9.7 miles by car
RUSHFORD AND RUSHFORD VILLAGE
rushfordpetersonvalley.com | 18.3 miles by bike | 18.7 miles by car
HARMONY
exploreharmony.com | 22.5 miles by bike | 13.6 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
