CITIES OF MOWER COUNTY

Adams, Minnesota is a vibrant community of 787 people on the prairie just 5 miles north of the Minnesota-Iowa state line and about 15 miles southeast of Austin. The city of Adams was founded in 1868 and hosted a special 150th anniversary celebration in the summer of 2018.

The Shooting Star Bike Trail winds through Adams. Bikers and walkers are able to enjoy the vestiges of the native tall-grass prairie flowers, grasses, and herbs that pioneers encountered 150 years ago when they settled this area.

Adams provides lots of activities for visitors to the community. The city has a park with camper sites and hookups available. A swimming pool is located across the street from the park. An archery range is located south of the park that is free to visitors. An 18-hole golf course is located just outside of town. The First National Bank

CITY OF BROWNSDALE

CITY OF ELKTON

Brownsdale is the Garden Spot of Mower County.

A community of 676 with lots of caring supportive people.

We are proud of our newly renovated park equipment and wonderful new pavilion perfect for gatherings or a picnic in the park with your family.

We have a couple of unique eating places and 3 large house rentals for the travelers from near and far.

To the west of town visit a rocket that was part of a NASA program that locals experimented with in launching into space.

We have a small but very active Library with lots of character to visit.

Follow the Facebook page to learn of local activities and events.

Elkton is a tiny, quaint little town and community with approximately of 145 residences.

Elkton is surrounded by a large farming community and is 17 miles east of Austin and is in Marshall and Dexter Townships.

Elkton was platted January 25, 1887 and incorporated as a village on Building in downtown Adams is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, with the American Legion Veteran’s Museum located across the street.

Adams is home to the Southland Public School and hosts Southland Rebels athletic activities. Adams also is home to Sacred Heart School, a kindergarten through 8th grade facility.

February 6, 1906. It had a station of the Chicago Great Western Railroad in section 1 of Marshall Township, and its post office began in 1887.

The friendly residents of Elkton welcome visitors and new residents into their community. If you are in the area, be sure to check out Elkton and the surrounding area.

Dexter is a small community in the Eastern part or Mower County. Located at the intersection on Interstate 90 and State Hwy 16.

We celebrate our incorporation as a city with “Sunflower Daze” which is normally held every odd number year.

Dexter has a large area park that boasts many get togethers. You can play softball, basketball, volleyball or keep the kids entertained on our large interactive play area. We don’t charge anything to host an event at our park, we just want people to come out and enjoy it!

Dexter is proud to be served by a large volunteer Fire Department with 24 firemen and 13 first responders.

Many of our resident’s commute to either Rochester or Austin for work. However, we are very fortunate to host a wide variety of businesses including a grain elevator, auction company, bar & restaurant, RV park, financial institution, hair salons, countertop company, trucking services, underground boring company, daycare facilities and more.

Our community club hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt, Sunflower Daze (every other year), Turkey Bingo and community garage sales which are typically held during the city’s celebration.

We are a small community but growing and encourage people to come and visit our little corner of Mower County.

CITY OF GRAND MEADOW

The City of Grand Meadow, Minnesota has a population of 1,211 and is nestled along Highway 16, bridging the miles between I-90 and Highway 63 and a short commute of 30 minutes or less to Rochester, Austin and Spring Valley. Grand Meadow was established in 1862, four years after the statehood of Minnesota. Our quiet country town prides itself in offering a tranquil paradise off the beaten path.

Grand Meadow public schools, consisting of 4 domes is largest monolithic dome school in Minnesota with state of art, Legacy Athletic Facility/ gym added in 2017.

First Farmers & Merchants bank building was designed by Purcell, Feiek & Elmslie, students of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Prairie School bank design was the 1st of 3 built in Mower County.

In June, the city will celebrate its 160th anniversary when it holds it’s annual “Meadowfest” celebration. The three-day festivity runs from June 24-26 and provides numerous activities and events for adults and kids alike highlighted by live music on Friday and Saturday night.

CITY OF LANSING

We have Lansing Chateau Speedway 1956 LLC to enjoy family time at the races.

Also included in our wonderful businesses is Meadow Greens Golf Course.

Lansing Corners Prime Stein LLC is a family oriented Bar & Grill with entertainment, bean bag, poker, karaoke, and other fun events, and good food.

Across from Todd Park is the Windrift with good food and fun.

We even have our own live Santa that has pictures and events with Allasifoundit LLC (in the former Methodist Church).

Lansing is a great place to live and to bring up your kids!

Find out about Lansing’s history at www.lansingtownshipmn.org

LeRoy, a progressive community, in addition to its proximity to Lake Louise State Park’s recreation, boasts an indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, two city parks with picnic shelters and playgrounds, and more. It is home to two buildings on the National Register of Historic Places; these include First State Bank, a prairie-style bank designed by Purcell and Elmslie, and LeRoy Public Library, the only example of the small-town Carnegie-type Classical Revival style library left intact in Mower County.

LeRoy is also home to the LeRoy-Ostrander School District; a full range of academic and extracurricular activities options are available for pre K-12 grade. The LeRoy-Ostrander Cardinal football team won the 9-man state championship in 2021.

Lake Louise State Park lures hikers, bikers, horseback riders, skiers, and snowmobilers to its trails, which wind through open landscapes and lush hardwoods. A Minnesota threatened species, Allium cernum, also known as nodding wild onion, can be found in the park.

The Shooting Star State Trail begins in LeRoy; it travels through Lake Louise State Park and heads west along Highway 56, which is also known as the Shooting Star Wildflower & Historic Route Scenic Byway. The trail goes through Taopi, Adams, Rose Creek, before entering Austin at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The native wildflowers and grasses are a highlight of this byway and trail.

LeRoy is also home to the Pioneer Prairie Wind Tower Lookout and Interpretive Center. LeRoy hosts its annual summer festival, Summer Fest, the third weekend of July each year. Many events fill this three-day weekend including a street dance, grand parade, many dining opportunities, tractor pulls, and many activities for the young and old alike. City-wide garage sales are offered each spring and fall.

Christmas in LeRoy is held the first weekend in December. Events include a cookie walk, craft sale, and soup luncheon. The LeRoy Farmers Market is held on Thursday’s during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The LeRoy Lions offer their Boulevard of Flags subscription program where American flags are put out in the boulevards around town on five different holidays showing the American pride of the community. The LeRoy Facebook page, City Of LeRoy MN, provides the most upto-date information about the activities and events of this community. The City’s website, www.leroymn.com, also provides information about the community.

CITY OF LYLE

Lyle boasts a beautiful city park with restrooms, picnic tables, playground area, tennis courts, basketball court, adjacent softball field and gazebo. Our beautifully maintained Memory Garden is located next to the Caboose and offers a quiet place to sit, take a break and enjoy the beautiful flower gardens.

Lyle offers a peaceful rural community for a visitor to enjoy or place to call home. Lyle is very proud of its excellent PreK–12 public school, several area churches, beautiful farms, scenic drives, businesses, recreation areas, and historic cemeteries. Lyle currently has spacious lots for sale at a reduced price, just waiting for someone to build on. You can contact city hall at 507325-2311 or email cityclerk@lylemn. org for more information.

The small town of Lyle proudly celebrated its 150th milestone in 2020. A long-standing tradition of celebrating Independence Day has continued annually in June. The celebration brings in a large crowd of participants and spectators. The weekend starts on Friday night with a street dance at the Lyle Legion. A 5K Run/Walk, Annual Car Show and Truck & Tractor Show are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The fun continues in the park with a parade, bingo, kid’s games, Talent Show, kids Peddle Pull and fireworks.

Mapleview is an independent city on the northside of Oakwood cemetery, right off of I90. We have a council of four and a mayor. There is a beautiful park on the hillside of Murphy Creek that runs through the city into the Cedar river running on the south east side of Mapleview. There is a second park on Clinton street. This park is called the Tot lot intended for smaller children. We have our own fire department that has recently updated equipment. Located in our newer facility combined with the city office, council chambers and city hall, the hall is rent-

Racine is a small hometown community with approximately 450 residents. Its location being 10 miles south of Rochester and 30 miles east of Austin provide for the small town atmosphere while being very close to two major cities in SE Minnesota. The friendly people of Racine welcome all new residents and visitors with open arms. The city was the original home of the Mayo founders prior to the Tornado of 1883 that relocated the Mayo family to nearby Rochester. The city boasts a City Park for travelers and locals alike. The numerous small businesses in Racine provide services from metal building construction, automobile sales and service, electrical repairs and services, motorcycle and snowmobile sales and service, home Improvement, banking and a bar and grill that is famous for its great food and atmosphere. The Racine Lions Club holds its annual chicken feed and street dance every summer in July which brings the rural community and the locals together for an allaround fun day and night. If you’re in the area, be sure to make a visit to this wonderful small town!

Rose Creek, Minnesota is a quiet, friendly community approximately 15 minutes from Austin. Rose Creek celebrated their Sesquicentennial in 2017. Roughly 300 residents live in the city limits in the middle of flourishing rural farmland.

Rose Creek has a very clean city park that includes tennis courts, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and a baseball diamond. The Creek Bar has an inviting restaurant and bar, and sponsors many community events.

CITY OF RACINE

ed out for venues, weddings, graduations, family reunion’s, ect. The old fire department is now the Public works department by our water tower. The water tower also marks the location of our popular watering hole, Mapleview Lounge nicknamed the Rock. Utilities are as water & sewer, City of Mapleview. Electric and gas are provided by the city of Austin. If looking Mapleview up by zip code it is 55912, this is a shared zip code. Broadway is a mix of Residential and Commercial properties. A few commercial properties are available presently. There is a plumbing/heating company named Pro Plumbing and Heating, The Rock liquor store, First Place Motors car dealership, Angry Hog Brewery, Rent and Save, Auto repair and well known Super Fresh bakery, produce and garden center. Mayo Clinic ambulance service within a block. Centrally located between a wide variety of commercial services. Restaurants, hotels, motels, Auto park, big box stores, grocery, strip malls, construction, walk-in medical & Pharmacy, storage facilities. Welcome to Mapleview enjoy our diversity & convenient location.

CITY OF ROSE CREEK

Rose Creek shares the Shooting Star Bike Trail that runs from LeRoy to Austin along beautiful State Highway 56. The Cedar River Golf Course is just a few miles down the road, and snowmobiling in the winter is a favorite pastime.

Rose Creek boasts the Southland Rebels school district and lays claim to its own volunteer fire department.

Rose Creek welcomes everyone any time of the year, but puts on their charm and grandest greeting during their annual Rose Creek Days, the weekend after the 4th of July holiday.

Come and spend some time or a lifetime in Rose Creek, Minnesota.

The City of Sargeant has approximately 65 residents, which includes the children but not the cats and dogs.

Sargeant is named for a pioneer farmer Harry N. Sargeant, a native of Quebec, Canada, who settled in Mower County in 1865. Sargeant was founded in 1876. In March 1901, there was a vote by ballot to determine the separation of Sargeant Township and Sargeant Village. 86 in favor and 12 against.

We have a Mayor and four councilmembers, city clerk and water/sewer maintenance man. For our businesses there is an automobile repair shop, welding shop, Nutrient Ag Service, Sargeant Grain Co. We have one church in town: Zion United Methodist, two others close by: St. John’s Lutheran and Evanger Lutheran. We have a Community Center with a park, volleyball court and basketball court. The Community Center serves as the town hall and also is available for rent for special occasions like birthdays, family reunions, graduation open houses etc.

When Sargeant lost its post office we were able to keep our name and zip code. All our mail goes through the Hayfield post office. Children attend school at Hayfield Public Schools Hayfield, MN. We have four internet companies that have come into town. Our telephone numbers are a Dexter Exchange. So yes, when people see we go to Hayfield schools, our address is Sargeant but our phone number is Dexter, it sounds like we are mixed up, but in reality we are a very unique little city.

CITY OF TAOPI

Taopi, Minnesota is located along Highway 56, designated as a Scenic Byway, near the source of the Wapsipinicon River. It is home to 58 residents.

Taopi was platted in 1875 by the Taopi Farming Company. The unusual name of the city derives from the Dakota War of 1862, named after “Taopi,” an Indian chief that befriended the settlers after the New Ulm massacre. “Taopi” a chief of the Mdewakanton Dakota tribe saved the lives of 250 settlers and earned the gratitude of the people and a city namesake.

Taopi is part of the four community joint powers tourist group called Prairie Visions. The group sponsors and helps maintain the Shooting Star Bike Trail that runs through Taopi.

The old Taopi railroad area on the west edge of the city is one of the few remaining native prairie sites in Minnesota. The area is home to original tallgrass prairie and many wild flowers.

CITY OF WALTHAM

Waltham, “Heart of the Farmland,” is a small town consisting of about 160 residents and is located right off of Highway 56. Waltham is a quiet town where everybody is your neighbor. If you’re looking for a great burger and beverage, than Cheers is the place to go. Located right on Main St., there is ample parking for the many motorcycle riders that come through town. Be sure to keep an eye on Facebook for the customer appreciation, street dance, and other events Cheers puts on. You can also take advantage of the Park, Pavilion, and wooded trails located on the South end of town. Waltham is a proud member of the Hayfield School District. Go Vikings!