Lanesboro, Minn.
By: Dr Jan Meyer
From: Lanesboro, MN
By: Dr Jan Meyer
From: Lanesboro, MN
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ONCE CHANGE STARTED, OUR TOWN HAS JUST KEPT ON Thornton Wilder’s 1938 play Our Town opens with the line “Change comes slowly to Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire.” That might also be said about Lanesboro, Minnesota, but then again, maybe not so slowly anymore. A very small town of just over 700 people, it did have a heyday in its past when the population swelled to more than 1500. However, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, it was slowly dying, and the main drag was mostly a lot of boarded-up, deteriorating, but once-beautiful old buildings.
Something happened.
In 1989, an asphalt bike trail was completed on the path of the old railroad tracks. Development followed, and the pace of change rapidly picked up. Now, there is a bevy of successful B&B’s, several campgrounds, restaurants, and an established art gallery and art center, part of which is housed in the old movie theatre and offers music, comedy, and film year-round. There are small shops, both professional and community theatres, an annual bluegrass get-together, a twice-weekly farmers’ market, horse-drawn carriage, Amish, and Molly the Trolley excursions, and annual celebrations like Holiday Fest, Buffalo Bill Days and the Rhubarb Festival.
There’s even been a song named after Lanesboro, composed and performed by Anat Fort, a New York City pianist who once did a concert in our town. The population in the summer can swell to 5000 and more on a weekend. Different seasons bring people with different interests. Biking the 60-mile trail is a three-season sport.
Fishing and turkey and deer hunting bring enthusiasts in the spring and fall. Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing is popular in warm weather. Turning leaves on the surrounding hardwood forests bring the “leaf peepers” in the fall.
The annual Drag Queen Show, cross-country skiing, and snow-mobiling bring winter crowds. And the theatres and art gallery attract folks who come for shopping, dinner and a show all year long.
There are so many happenings I cannot list them all!
The very active local Chamber of Commerce touts Lanesboro and the surrounding Bluff Country as “A short trip that will be long remembered.” That must be true: Among many other accolades, Lanesboro was included in Yahoo! Travel’s list “One of America’s Prettiest Towns,” and a choice for Mother Earth News’ “Great Places You’ve (Maybe) Never Heard Of.”
Change didn’t come so slowly to Our Town of Lanesboro, Minnesota. And maybe the best part is that it just keeps on changing.
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Comments (11)
Many claim tourism saved Lanesboro, MN. My question, saved it for who? Certainly not those who have to try and live here each and every day of the year. Long term, tax paying citizens are apparently viewed as second rate compared to those who disrupt our privacy, etc, etc. Since the town loves "official" monikers (i.e. B&B Capital of MN, Rhubarb Capital of MN, etc., etc.), I suggest another... B.S. Capital, maybe of the world!
Posted by John Levell on February 17,2013 | 09:49 AM
My Father, Virgil Jeffries grew up in Lanesboro. His Grandparents owned the Merchant Hotel on Coffee street where the firehouse is now. We went to Lanesboro for the first time in 1993 and I and my children fell in LOVE with it. Went back in 1995 and couldn't get enough. I can't wait to go back again some day.
Posted by Ann Jeffries on January 31,2012 | 06:08 PM
Thank you Smithsonian, Jan Meyer and Marv Eggert for this insightful piece on how this remote & lovely small town is surviving in 2011. Lanesboro has been reinvigorated with arts and recreation but remains as it has always been - a peaceful hamlet amid stunning landscape.
Posted by Maggie Molyneaux on April 25,2011 | 07:35 PM
I moved to Lanesboro two years ago and fell in love with the town and people. I am the Innkeeper at The Victorian house Bed and Breakfast and have never enjoyed anything as much as this. The town is different then anyplace I have ever lived or visited truly a gem. A destination you will not want to miss.
Posted by Mary Stream on April 22,2011 | 08:32 AM
Ah- yes. But. Least anyone think we have an abnormal village- there are aspects to life in Lanesboro that Sinclair Lewis would have loved, also. And little side dramas- like the fire chief - who set fires? http://tinyurl.com/4x6clcb
Oh, yes, there are warts, just as everywhere. How could there not be? But- even those of us who see the warts readily - do love the place. I find that more satisfying actually; and more durable- than the blind kind of love.
Posted by Ranklebiter on April 4,2011 | 01:01 PM
I totally agree with Juanita Ive lived in Lanesboro for 50 years were did it all go. Theres not much left for the people who live here.
Posted by Jeff on March 29,2011 | 04:14 PM
I grew up in Lanesboro during the 6o's. At that time there were 4 grocery stores, 2 clothing stores, 2 hardware stores, a shoe repairman, 2 dime stores(Mabel's Variety was the greatest), Hanson's Drug store, 4 bars, golf course, Bue Studio, 3 barbers, 3 beauticians, 2 doctors(Johnson and Westrup),1 drive-inn restaurant(Irene and Connie's). White Front Cafe, Jack's Cafe, and sooooo much more. The kids had places to go. We had the Burro Inn back then ran by a great lady, Maxine Haugen and her husband Milo. My Mom, Rose and my Dad, Leonard Semmen owned and operated Rose's Friendly Inn. There is so much history never talked about. I treasure the memories from those times.
Posted by Juanita Palmby on March 29,2011 | 01:42 PM
I also grew up in Lanesboro when it was a small agrarian village in the 40s and 50s. We're so proud of the "movers and shakers" who have done so much to promote the town.
Posted by Don Flattum on March 15,2011 | 02:31 PM
I too love Lanesboro! In 2007 we stayed at a B and B in a nearby town, and became friends with two couples from Des Moines. We now plan an annual trip to the same B and B with these folks. We're already planning to see the production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Comonweal theater. June can't come fast enough!
Posted by Jodi on March 2,2011 | 10:35 AM
Thank you Smithsonian and Ms. Meyer.
My breath was held as my mind imagined me actually being there. My heart is in Minnesota and your photos reaffirmed 'who I am.' A former Minnesotan, currently a "Mumforegonian", I send my gratitude with sincere appreciation for healthy small towns. Bravo!
Posted by Sherry TePoel Mumford on February 13,2011 | 06:26 PM
Love Lanesboro, and love this article!
Posted by Danielle on February 11,2011 | 06:08 PM