Mississippi Bluff Country Region, Minnesota Attractions

Le Sueur (pop. 4,000) was named for Pierre Charles Le Sueur, a 17th C explorer of the Minnesota River Valley. The town began as three small settlements named Le Sueur, Middle Le Sueur and Le Sueur City, which were united in 1867 by the Minnesota Legislature.The Green Giant Company was established here in 1903 as the Minnesota Valley Canning Company. In 1950, its name was changed to Green Giant Company. The original plant and warehouse were in operation from 1903 until February, 1995.

Owatonna (pop. 22,000) is named after a spot where Native Americans camped on the banks of a river they called "Ouitunya," which means straight and is today the name of the major river. Legend has it that Owatonna, the sickly daughter of Chief Wabena, was restored back to health by the local curative waters. The Village of Yesteryear is a complex of 19th and early 20th century buildings.

In 1851 a treaty was signed between the Dakota Indians and the U.S. government in which 24 million acres in Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota were ceded by the Indians in exchange for reservation lands to be paid in annual annuities of goods and money. The center presents exhibits with displays relating to the treaty and regional history.

The Martin County Historical Museum in Fairmont is housed in a 1917 brick school building. It features displays on the history of the area including a 19th-century classroom, four rooms furnished as a pioneer home and a collection of local newspapers dating from 1874.

The Methodist Church Museum is housed in a Victorian Gothic church, built in 1876 in Spring Valley. It features Italian stained-glass windows made c 1715. Exhibits include displays about the Wilder family and Richard Sears as well as an old-time country store, an 1874 fire wagon and religious relics.

Wabasha is one of the oldest towns on the Mississippi River, it was established in 1826. There are a number of recreational opportunities such as boating, camping, miles of trails and birding. Eagles nest near Wabasha year round and the National Eagle Center houses two eagles.

The Arrowhead Bluffs Museum has a complete collection of Winchester firearms, including every model of Winchester sold from 1866-1982. Other exhibits include mounted displays of North American wildlife and a collection of Native American artifacts.

The Mystery Cave State Park is 3,000 acres of hardwood forests with oak, basswood, ironwood and sugar maple. Forestville Village is a late 19th C farming settlement with costumed guides. Hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and camping opportunities are available.

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 former home of James B Wakefield who was Blue Earth's co-founder and a former Minnesota lieutenant governor, features furnishings and other items that belonged to early settlers.

The Le Sueur County Museum is housed in an 1895 brick schoolhouse in Elysian. The art collection features works by Adolf Dehn, Lloyd Herfindahl, David Maass, Roger Preuss, and Albert Christ-Janer.

Faribault (pop. 21,000) was begun in 1826 when Alexander Faribault established a fur-trading post in the area. By 1853 he had built the first frame house in the area.

Niagara Cave near Harmony has a waterfall, nearly 60ft/18m high, stalactites, calcite flowstone, fossils that have been dated to over 400 million years old, and a wedding chapel.

Mankato (pop. 32,000) is named for a Dakota word that means "blue earth". It is located on the Minnesota River in the southern part of the state. The town name refers to the clay that lines the riverbanks.

Restoration House in Mantorville was built in 1856 and was used as the county office building with offices for sheriff, treasurer, and registrar of deeds. Exhibits include Civil War era furnishings and unusual, rare historic items.

Frontenac State Park is a gathering spot for more than 260 species of birds. The park has scenic overlooks, old limestone quarries and American Indian burial grounds.

Rochester is the seat of the celebrated Mayo Clinic, famed particularly for its heart operations. There are guided visits on weekdays.Rochester (pop. 97,000) is the third-largest city in Minnesota.

Albert Lea (pop. 18,000) became a settlement when a dam was constructed for a water-powered mill in 1855. The town has developed around Fountain Lake.

Oxbow Park features camping, hiking, fishing, a playground, and a nature center and the Zollman Zoo with more than 30 native animals.

Winona (pop. 27,000) was first settled by New Englanders and Germans as an early lumber town. Today it is a leading business and industrial center.