Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway
Minnesota River Valley History Tour

Departure: Green Giant Marker, Minnesota
Destination: Samuel J. Brown Memorial, Minnesota
Time to allow: 2 days

This itinerary takes you through the natural heritage and historic preservation of the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway.

Day 1

  • Start: Green Giant Marker

    This marker marks the location of the original Minnesota Valley Canning Company (Green Giant Co.)

  • Stop 2: Sibley County Museum

    Housed in an 1884 brick mansion, this museum was established in 1948 when the August Poeler home was purchased. Exhibits include the remnants of early pioneer life in Minnesota.

  • Stop 3: Winter Warrior Sculpture

    This sculpture in front of the public library, commemorates the memory of 38 Dakota men who were hung after the US/Dakota Conflict of 1862 had ended.

  • Stop 4: Judge Lorin P. Cray Mansion

    This nationally registered Queen Anne style mansion was built in 1898 at the cost of $513,000.

  • Stop 5: Carnegie Art Center

    Originally a library, this renaissance revival-style architecture houses a gallery of local artists' work.

  • Stop 6: Old Main Village

    Built in 1924, Old Main was the adminstration building for the Mankato Normal School, now Mankato State University.

  • Stop 7: R.D. Hubbard House

    Built in 1872, the Hubbard is the oldest remaining example of a 19th century mansion in the area. The carriage house contains a collection of horse drawn vehicles and antique autos.

  • Stop 8: Williams Minneopa Learning Center

    Here visitors can explore the state's premiere accessible nature center.

  • Stop 9: Blue Earth County Heritage Center

    The Center has a new gallery with exhibits of all aspects of early life in Blue Earth County.

  • Stop 10: John Lind House

    The nationally registered, Queen Anne style Lind house was built in 1887 by Minnesota's 14th governor, John Lind.

  • Overnight Point: Mankato

    Find lodgings for the night in Mankato.

Day 2

  • Stop 1: Minnesota Machinery Museum

    The Minnesota Machinery Museum contains a marvelous collection of antique tractors, gas engines, implements, vintage automobiles, hand tools, and home items from early farm life.

  • Stop 2: Sacred Heart Area Museum

    This museum contains photographs and other memoribilia from the early pioneer days of the Sacred Heart and surrounding areas, up until today.

  • Stop 3: Historic Chippewa City

    Historic Chippewa City consists of replicas and restorations of 23 pioneer era buildings. The buildings contain artifacts and displays about life during the turn of the century.

  • Stop 4: Lac Qui Parle County Historic Center

    The Lac qui Parle Historic Center contains exhibits of American Indian artifacts, pioneer life, agricultural changes, and the Ethel Mehlum doll collection.

  • Stop 5: Norwegian Stabbur

    This traditional Norwegian Stabbur (sod roofed log building) is located on the Don Peterson homesite and was designed and built by Halvard Peterson of Vinstra, Norway.

  • Stop 6: Ortonville Commercial Historic District

    These nationally registered historic buildings are in the vicinity of Second Street, plus Madison and Monroe Avenues.

  • End: Samuel J. Brown Memorial

    This memorial has a restored log cabin built by Samuel`s father, Major Joseph R. Brown, which served as a trading post and stage coach stop and contains artifacts of pioneer life.