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Lanesboro, Minnesota facts for kids

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Lanesboro
Much of downtown Lanesboro is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Much of downtown Lanesboro is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Location of Lanesboro, Minnesota
Location of Lanesboro, Minnesota
Country United States
State Minnesota
County Fillmore
Area
 • Total 1.28 sq mi (3.33 km2)
 • Land 1.28 sq mi (3.33 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
968 ft (295 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 724
 • Density 563.42/sq mi (217.46/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
55949
Area code(s) 507
FIPS code 27-35450
GNIS feature ID 2395628
Website City of Lanesboro

Lanesboro is a small city in Fillmore County, Minnesota, United States. In 2020, about 724 people lived there. The city is named after F. A. Lane, who was one of the first landowners.

The South Branch of the Root River flows right through Lanesboro. You can even see a cool waterfall dam near Sylvan Park! The city is also a hub for outdoor fun, with the Root River State Trail and other bike paths. An Amish community lives nearby. Lanesboro has many unique shops, restaurants, and a professional stage theater.

History of Lanesboro

Lanesboro was officially planned out in 1868. A post office opened there in 1868. The city was named after F. A. Lane, one of its founders.

Geography and Location

Lanesboro covers about 1.32 square miles (3.42 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.

Main roads in Lanesboro include Minnesota State Highways 16 and 250. County Roads 8 and 21 also pass through the city.

Dam and waterfall

Root River State Trail Connection

Lanesboro is one of several towns connected by the Root River State Trail. This trail is popular for biking and walking.

Awards and Recognition

Lanesboro has received several special awards. In 1998, it won the Great American Main Street Award. This award recognizes great downtown areas.

Author John Villani called Lanesboro one of the "100 Best Small Art Towns in America." Sports Afield magazine also named it one of the "50 Best Outdoor Sports Towns." More recently, Outside Magazine featured Lanesboro as one of the "20 Best Dream Towns in America."

Art and Culture Scene

LanesboroTheatreBlock
Commonweal Theatre
Lanesboro Arts Gallery Restored Exterior Facade
Lanesboro Arts

Since 1989, Lanesboro has been home to the Commonweal Theatre Company. This is a professional theater group that tells stories through acting. Each year, they perform 4-6 plays. These plays range from classic works to family-friendly shows.

During the summer, they often have two plays running at the same time. This lets visitors see different shows during their trip. The Commonweal also hosts an annual Ibsen Festival. This festival celebrates Norwegian art and culture. It includes workshops, talks, and special foods.

The Commonweal opened a new theater building in 2007. It cost $3.5 million and seats 191 people. The building's outside design fits in with Lanesboro's historic look.

The Lanesboro Arts Council and Cornucopia Art Center joined together in 2010 to form Lanesboro Arts. Their gallery building is in downtown Lanesboro. It has a large gallery that shows art from over 100 regional artists. More than 20,000 visitors come to see the art each year.

Lanesboro Arts also owns and runs the St. Mane Theater. This theater is right next to the Commonweal. This makes Lanesboro a true "Theater District." The St. Mane Theater hosts local plays and other performances. It also shows independent films.

In 2013, Artplace America named Lanesboro one of the top twelve "small town artplaces" in the country. This means Lanesboro has a lot of art groups, art businesses, and creative jobs.

Lanesboro Public Library

The Lanesboro Public Library is part of Southeastern Libraries Cooperating. This is a group of libraries in southeast Minnesota.

Fun Events in Lanesboro

Lanesboro hosts many fun events throughout the year.

  • Art in the Park: Every Saturday before Father's Day in June, Lanesboro Arts organizes an art festival. It takes place in Sylvan Park.
  • Buffalo Bill Days: In early August, the city celebrates "Buffalo Bill Days." This event honors Buffalo Bill, a famous person who often visited Lanesboro.
  • Rhubarb Festival: In 2008, Minnesota's governor called Lanesboro the "Rhubarb Capital of Minnesota." The city hosts a Rhubarb Festival on the first weekend of June. In 2007, the radio show A Prairie Home Companion even broadcast from Lanesboro and featured stories about rhubarb.
  • Farmers' Market: The Lanesboro Farmers' Market is held every Saturday in Sylvan Park. It runs from the first Saturday in May to the last Saturday in October.

Population Information

OldTownHallLanesboroMN
The Old Village Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Lanesboro Historic District.
Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 655
1880 1,032 57.6%
1890 898 −13.0%
1900 1,102 22.7%
1910 987 −10.4%
1920 1,015 2.8%
1930 1,014 −0.1%
1940 1,100 8.5%
1950 1,100 0.0%
1960 1,063 −3.4%
1970 850 −20.0%
1980 923 8.6%
1990 858 −7.0%
2000 788 −8.2%
2010 754 −4.3%
2020 724 −4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2010, there were 754 people living in Lanesboro. About 97.7% of the people were White. The average age in the city was about 49.8 years old.

Famous People from Lanesboro

  • Duane Benson: He was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He also led both the majority and minority groups in the Minnesota Senate.
  • Katherine M. Cook: An educator and government official. She focused on education in rural areas.
  • Arthur B. Langlie: He served as the 12th and 14th Governor of the state of Washington.
  • Luke Miller: A businessman, doctor, and former state senator in Minnesota.
  • Edwin Vincent O'Hara: A leader in the Roman Catholic Church.

See also

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