Horses needed rest after about 10 miles of pulling a stagecoach. In Houston County, the Lorette House was either the first or the last stop for a stream of stagecoaches traveling between La Crosse and St. Paul, following what later became County Highway 25. When white settlers arrived in the mid-1900s, a stagecoach was the only public transportation and safer than traveling … [Read more...]
Early birthday present changes Ann Thacher’s life
Ann Thacher of Bristol Center (west of Harmony) received an amazing gift for her birthday this year. “It was like an early birthday present,” she said. On April 26, the week of her birthday, she received a phone call that would change and save her life. “When they called and said, you got a kidney, I was kind of in shock.” Thacher had waited four years for that call. On May 17, … [Read more...]
Summer fun in Lanesboro
Join the community of Lanesboro, Minn. at the 39th Annual Buffalo Bill Days, August 3 through the 6. Family movie night kicks off the four-day event. The Disney movie “Encanto” will start at 8:30 p.m. in scenic Sylvan Park. New this year, a dunk tank! On Saturday, August 5, from 12-2 p.m., take aim at the Lanesboro Fire Department, from 2-4 p.m. teachers will be waiting in … [Read more...]
Fillmore County Flashback Meet the stars of Hamilton!
By Sara Sturgis Executive Director Fillmore County Historical Society Surprise, it’s not Lin Manuel Miranda of the acclaimed Broadway play but rather Doctors Alfred and Henry Plummer, the two stars of our own village of Hamilton (not to mention the international medical community), Around 1867, following his service in the Civil War, Dr. Albert Plummer and his wife … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Putting more water into an already full cup
Part two They walked from the ridge down through the woods into a valley below. Their intention was sure - while swinging wooden bats, to challenge the yet unseen adversary. It was school year 1949-1950 in Houston County when two country grade school teachers had arranged for their one-room school students to meet for a picnic and softball game. It was a highly unusual and … [Read more...]
One step toward hope
Fillmore County towns are eager for the opportunity to host Relay for Life. Earlier Relay for Life events in Fillmore and Houston Counties were a joint venture; one year in Fillmore County, the following year in Houston County. Houston County no longer holds a relay event. Host communities must commit to hosting the event two years in a row. This is Fountain’s second year … [Read more...]
Never forgotten
The traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall was in Houston 19 years ago during the 2004 Hoedown Days and will be in town again this year in conjunction with the town’s well-known celebration. There will be plenty of time for Fillmore County Journal readers to visit the wall between July 27 and July 241 and pay their respects. Whether you have seen the … [Read more...]
Peterson gnomes make Quirky Minnesota Places list
At the July 12 Peterson City Council meeting, Councilwoman Gail Boyum shared that she’d been approached by visitors to the city as she worked in the garden in back of the museum, asking where the gnomes were throughout the city and if there were gnomes for sale. It turns out that Peterson has gained notoriety on Facebook in the group Quirky Minnesota Places; now people are … [Read more...]
Fair time!
Celebrate 165 years of tradition, food, entertainment, and exhibits at the 2023 Fillmore County Fair, July 17-23. The fairgrounds is located just minutes west of Hwy. 52 in Preston. Food is one of the top reasons fairgoers attend county fairs. Food, especially fair food, challenges all fiave senses. Whether it is a bag of fluffy sticky sweet cotton candy, grilled burger, … [Read more...]
Iowa Creative Places update
The state of Iowa has officially announced the Iowa Great Places redesignation as well as the newly designated Iowa Cultural & Entertainment Districts of which now Decorah is one. There are only 18 Cultural & Entertainment Districts in the State of Iowa. This year only two were added – Decorah and Burlington. (The 18 includes the two new communities) To receive the … [Read more...]