George Hormel opened a small butcher shop in Austin (pop. 23,000) in 1887. Hormel Foods now has its flagship plant and international headquarters in Austin. The town is also known as Spam Town, USA.
The JC Hormel Nature Center features plants and wildlife native to Minnesota. Canoe rentals are available in summer and cross-country ski trails and ski rentals are available in winter.
Address: J.C. Hormel Nature Center, 1304 21st Street NE, Austin, MN 55912-4104, United States
Phone: 1 (507) 437-7519, Fax: 1 (507) 437-8246
Located at the Mower County Fairgrounds in Austin the Mower County Historical Center has historic buildings including a working blacksmith's shop, a church built in 1867 and a schoolhouse. On-site museums display American Indian artifacts, pioneer items, equipment used by local fireman and a train depot with caboose.
Hours:
May 1 to September 30: 10am-4pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Sat