Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway
Harkin Store, MN

Sit a spell and play checkers, enjoy the old-fashioned smells of camphor and cinnamon, chat with the costumed staff, and investigate the line of wares -- many of them original inventory -- at this 1870s general store. At the former town of West Newton still stands the Harkin's General Store. Founded by Alexander and Janet Harkin, the store was a very popular place to purchase supplies and trade for goods which were brought in by ferry on the nearby Minnesota River. Still with much of its original merchandise, costumed store clerks tell the story of the store to the byway traveler.The Harkin Store was important to early settlers arriving by steamboat to the town of West Newton, which flourished until the railroad passed the community by in 1873.

The Nicollet County Historical Society administers this Minnesota Historical Society site.