Forestville, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Forestville Townsite--Meighan Store
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Bridge to historic Forestville, Minnesota
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Preston, Minnesota |
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| Area | 425 acres (172 ha) |
| Architect | Foster, Robert; Meighen, Felix |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000976 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1973 |
Imagine a town that was once full of life, but now stands mostly empty. That's a ghost town! Forestville is one such place in Fillmore County, Minnesota. It's located near the towns of Wykoff and Preston.
Contents
The Story of Forestville
How Forestville Began
Forestville started as a settlement in 1852. It officially became a town in 1855. The town was named after Forest Henry, who was an important judge in Fillmore County. He moved to Forestville in 1854. The town even had its own post office from 1855 until 1902.
Two brothers-in-law, William and Felix Meighen, were among the first people to settle here. Felix Meighen saw that the new town needed a general store. In October 1853, he brought $700 worth of goods from Galena to open his store.
Growing the Town
As more people arrived in Minnesota, Forestville grew. Soon, the town had many different businesses. There was a blacksmith shop, where metal items were made. A cabinet shop created furniture. There were also sawmills, farms, other stores, and even hotels.
Why Forestville Became a Ghost Town
The town's population began to shrink after 1868. This happened because the railroad, which was very important for travel and trade, was built to bypass Forestville. Many families started to leave for other areas that were growing and had more opportunities.
By 1880, only 55 people lived in Forestville. Most of the businesses had closed down. As families moved away, the Meighen family started buying up the empty properties. By 1889, they owned the entire town and the land around it.
In the early 1900s, even the Meighen family left Forestville. Their general store, which had been so important, closed its doors in 1910. This marked the end of Forestville as a lively town.
Forestville Today
A Historic State Park
In 1949, the Minnesota State Legislature decided to protect what was left of Forestville. They created Forestville State Park. The goal was to preserve the abandoned townsite. Later, in 1987, Mystery Cave was added to the state park.
Today, Historic Forestville is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society. It is a special place where visitors can learn about what life was like in a Minnesota town during the 1800s.
