Dexter

A Town on the Prairie

Celebration: Sunflower Daze (June)

Dexter serves as the western gateway to the Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway. This small town on the prairie was named after pioneer Dexter Parritt, who came from Ohio in 1857. When Parritt arrived, he witnessed the broad plains as seen only by his predecessors: Native Americans who lived off the fertile hunting grounds and European fur traders who obtained furs to be used in the latest fashions. Today the people of Dexter invite our to visit their growing little community, especially during its Sunflower Daze celebration in June. (back)

Grand Meadow

Unique Architecture in a Small Town

http://cityofgrandmeadow.com

The town of Grand Meadow is home to two buildings of architectural note constructed nearly 100 years apart. Step inside the Exchange State Bank at the corner of Main and first Streets to get the best glimpse of this remarkable jewel box of a building. Minnesota architects William Gray Purcell and George Grant Elmslie designed the small bank building in 1910 in the Prairie School style. More recently the Grand meadow Independent School district opened its monolithic school - billed as a "school of the future."  Patented in 1979 and made of reinforced concrete, the unique dome structure provides an energy efficient, cost effective building that can withstand the force of tornadoes. (back)

Spring Valley

The Town That Agriculture Built

During the late 1800's towns like Spring Valley were an essential cog in the machine of agricultural trade, and evidence of their prosperity can still be seen. As soon as the railroads arrived in 1882, Spring Valley constructed grain elevators for the storage of wheat. The creation of reliable transportation routes and the location of grin elevators spawned other businesses, such as hardware stores, groceries and lumber yards, all of which contributed to this small town's industrial and agricultural legacy. As a result, numerous fine buildings throughout the community testify to the pride of the town's early residents and to the importance of Spring Valley to this farming region. These structures include handsome brick buildings downtown, a Beaux Arts Carnegie Library, the fine stained-glass windows of the Methodist Episcopal Church (where Laura Ingalls Wilder worshipped with her husband, Almanzo), the Washburn-Zittleman House, and the childhood home of Sears and Roebuck founder, Richard Sears. (back)

Preston

Down on the Farm

Regional Rural Architecture

Throughout the scenic byway, the countryside is dotted with remnants of the region's rural heritage. Massive barns, simple outbuildings, and tall silos often accompany modest frame and brick houses The 1890 Milwaukee Grain elevator, where farmers would store and trade grain to be shipped out on the early rail line, is a symbol of Preston's agricultural past. Preston serves as a hub for the Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail and the Root River State Trail, which connect just north of Preston. with high-quality trout fishing available around Preston, it is no wonder that the town celebrates an annual "Preston Trout Days." (back)

Lanesboro

In the Heart of the Valley

http://bluffcountry.com/lanesboro.htm

www.lanesboro.com

It was the rushing Root River that gave life to the small town of Lanesboro, where the community harnessed the power of this important water source. In 1868 the Lanesboro Town site Company constructed a stone dam which channeled water through a long canal to power flour mills. Boosted by the arrival of the Southern Minnesota Railroad line into town, these mills provided economic vitality for the city of Lanesboro. Evidence of this industrial prosperity can be seen in the brick and stone buildings of the downtown commercial district, the old single-track metal railroad bridge, and the Italianate brick home of James Thompson, who constructed one of the first three mills in town. Today, Lanesboro is rich with artistry and has been named one of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. Visitors are treated to art galleries and workshops, an arts center, and performances at the Commonweal Theatre. (back)

Whalan

The Town Is So Small . . .

http://www.rootrivertrail.org/whalan-main.php

This scenic town, with the Root River Trail running right down its center, enjoys its small town reputation. In fact, this town is so small that it is not big enough to have a moving parade. Instead, each year on the third weekend of May, Whalan hold its "Standstill Parade."  In this event, the parade stays stationary in the middle of the street and the spectators walk around and visit with the people on the floats! (back)