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Visit Bluff Country

A guide to Historic Bluff Country

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History

Advanced Search

Allamakee County Historical Society Museum & Genealogy Research Center

Business
Allamakee County Historical Society Museum & Genealogy Research Center
Street
121 Allamakee St. NW
City
Waukon
State
IA
563-568-2954
Website
allamakeehistory.org
Category
2025-2026, Historical Society and Genealogy, Iowa, Waukon
Tags
History, Museum

Canton Railroad Depot

Business
Canton Railroad Depot
City
Canton
State
MN
507-743-8338
Website
cantonmn.com
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Canton, Minnesota
Tags
History, Museum

Built in 1879. Original RR Wall Clock, Lobby, Bench, Lanterns, RR Oil Cans and photos. Free Guided Tours. Restoration in progress. The Milwaukee Road. Donations appreciated: Canton Historical Society, PO Box 15, Canton, MN 55922.

Decorah Genealogy Association

Business
Decorah Genealogy Association
Street
808 River St.
City
Decorah
State
IA
563-382-4197
Website
decorahgenealogyassociation.com
Category
2025-2026, Decorah, Historical Society and Genealogy, Iowa
Tags
History

Fayette County Historical and Genealogical Society

Business
Fayette County Historical and Genealogical Society
Street
100 N Walnut St.
City
West Union
State
IA
563-422-5797
Category
2025-2026, Historical Society and Genealogy
Tags
History

Fillmore County History Center

Business
Fillmore County History Center
Street
202 County Road 8 Hwy 52
City
Fountain
State
MN
507-268-4449
Website
www.fillmorecountyhistory.org
Category
2025-2026, Fountain, Historical Society and Genealogy, Minnesota
Tags
History, Museum

Museum & genealogy library. Willie's Grocery exhibit, country school house, Pietenpol hangar & aircraft, Oliver tractor collection, antique agricultural equipment, sinkhole exhibit. Near the start of the Root River Bike Trail. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-4pm. No admission charge to the museum.

Giants of the Earth Heritage Center

Business
Giants of the Earth Heritage Center
Street
163 W. Main St.
City
Spring Grove
State
MN
507-498-5070
Website
giantsoftheearth.org
Category
2025-2026, Historical Society and Genealogy, Minnesota, Spring Grove
Tags
History

Historic Forestville

Business
Historic Forestville
City
Forestville
State
MN
Website
www.mnhs.org/forestville
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Historical Society and Genealogy, Minnesota, Preston, Recreational
Tags
History, Museum, Tours

Tour this historic town as you explore the choices and changes that faced area inhabitants.

Historic Hixon House Museum

Business
Historic Hixon House Museum
Street
429 7th St. North
City
La Crosse
State
WI
608-782-1980
Website
www.lchshistory.org/hixon-house
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Tags
History, Museum

Hixon House was built in 1858 by pioneer Gideon Hixon, who went on to become a wealthy lumber baron in La Crosse. He and his wife Ellen raised their five sons in this home and expanded it to the size it is today. The family had for many years retained the home in close to the same state that Ellen Hixon left it when she died in 1913. In 1965, their descendants gifted the house to LCHS complete with its original Victorian and Arts and Crafts furnishings. Our knowledgeable docents will guide you through this piece of La Crosse history.

Houston County Historical Society

Business
Houston County Historical Society
Street
104 History Lane
City
Caledonia
State
MN
507-725-3884
Website
www.houstoncountyhistoricalsociety.org
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Caledonia, Historical Society and Genealogy, Minnesota
Tags
History, Museum

Located by Houston County Fairgrounds - Open year-round! Flatten-Swenson log home, Sheldon Presbyterian Church, Daley School, Agriculture Building, Mayville Town Hall. Other displays of Houston County in the new museum.

Howard-Winneshiek Genealogical Research Center

Business
Howard-Winneshiek Genealogical Research Center
Street
320 N Elm
City
Cresco
State
IA
563-547-2540
Website
cresco.lib.ia.us
Category
2025-2026, Cresco, Historical Society and Genealogy, Iowa
Tags
History

Cresco Public Library

La Crosse County Heritage Center

Business
La Crosse County Heritage Center
Street
506 Main Street
City
La Crosse
State
WI
608-782-1980
Website
lchshistory.org/lacrosseareaheritagecenter
Category
2025-2026, Historical Society and Genealogy, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Tags
History

Lanesboro Museum

Business
Lanesboro Museum
Street
105 Parkway Ave S
City
Lanesboro
State
MN
507-467-2177
Website
lanesboro.com
Category
2025-2026, Historical Society and Genealogy, Lanesboro, Minnesota
Tags
History, Museum

Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum

Business
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
Street
306 Third Street
City
Pepin
State
WI
Website
lauraingallspepin.com
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Pepin, Shopping, Wisconsin
Tags
Gifts, History, Museum

Open May 1 through October 231 in 2025. Museum and Gift Shop. Visit Laura's Birthsite.
10am-5pm Daily - 7 days a week. Including Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum

Business
Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum
Street
3603 236th Ave.
City
Burr Oak
State
IA
563-735-5916
Website
.lauraingallswilder.us
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Burr Oak, Iowa
Tags
History, Museum

Guided tours of the Masters Hotel, Laura's only childhood home still on its original site. Visitor center, gift shop, shelter house, & playground.

Lidtke Mill – National Historic Site

Business
Lidtke Mill – National Historic Site
Street
14969 Mill Road
City
Lime Springs
State
IA
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Iowa, Lime Springs
Tags
History, Tours

Lidtke Mill, also known as the Lime Springs Mill Complex, is a historic building located on the Upper Iowa River located in the "Old Town" area of Lime Springs, Iowa, United States. It is part of the 10 acres Lidtke Park (total camping facility). The mill is an L-shaped structure is composed of limestone covered with a yellow brick veneer.

1 mile north of Lime Springs, IA on Upper Iowa River.
Adults $5
Students $3
5 & under free

Open most weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day
Or by special appointment - school tours available

Join us for Harvest Fest on October 11, 2025
4-8 pm Soup Supper at Community Center
Hay Ride from Community Center to Mill
5-8 pm tour the haunted Mill

319-240-6059 or 319-929-5572

Oakenwald Terrace Bed and Breakfast

Business
Oakenwald Terrace Bed and Breakfast
Street
218 Winona St SE
City
Chatfield
State
MN
507-867-3806
Website
oakenwaldterrace.com
Category
2025-2026, B&B, Chatfield, Lodging, Minnesota
Tags
History

Treat yourself to a stay in this 1897 Victorian home which boasts of an elegance and romance unsurpassed in our modern times. Enjoy the library, fireplaces, porches, many collections and extravagant dining room. Take home with you memories and friendships for a lifetime.

  • 90 minutes from the Twin Cities. 20 minutes from Rochester and Lanesboro.
  • Six suites, each with a private bath. Full Breakfast. Free wireless internet. No pets. Children age 12+.
  • National Register of Historic Places.
  • Ask about Mayo Clinic Rates.

Old Main Cultural Center

Business
Old Main Cultural Center
Street
20869 College Ave.
City
Galesville
State
WI
608-582-4412
Website
www.oldmaingalesville.com
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Galesville, Wisconsin
Tags
History, Tours

The beautiful "Old Main" was founded by Judge George Gale in 1854 as the main building of Galesville University campus (later known as Gale College). It was one of the earliest institutions of higher education in Wisconsin. The building and grounds are open for tours by appointment.

Special Events: Concert Under the Stars - 4th Saturday in June, July and August. Main Event Annual Fundraiser - 3rd Saturday in September. Yoga & Fitness - 3x a week. Monthly game nights, concerts and events.

Peterson Station Museum

Business
Peterson Station Museum
Street
228 Mill St.
City
Peterson
State
MN
507-875-2415
Website
.petersonmn.com/peterson-museum
Category
2025-2026, Historical Society and Genealogy
Tags
History, Museum

Prairie du Chien Historical Society

Business
Prairie du Chien Historical Society
Street
717 S. Beaumont Road
City
Prairie du Chien
State
WI
608-326-6960
Website
fortcrawfordmuseum.com
Category
2025-2026, Historical Society and Genealogy, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Tags
History

Rushford Depot Museum

Business
Rushford Depot Museum
Street
401 S. Elm St.
City
Rushford
State
MN
507-864-7560
Website
rootrivertrail.org
Category
2025-2026, Historical Society and Genealogy, Minnesota, Rushford
Tags
History, Museum

Spring Valley Methodist Church Museum

Business
Spring Valley Methodist Church Museum
Street
221 W. Courtland St.
City
Spring Valley
State
MN
507-346-7659
Website
springvalleymnmuseum.org
Category
2025-2026, Historical Society and Genealogy, Minnesota, Spring Valley
Tags
History

The Arnold House at East Side Farm

Business
The Arnold House at East Side Farm
Street
19408 Silver Creek Rd.
City
Galesville
State
WI
608-865-1047
Website
www.eastsidefarm.org
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Galesville, Wisconsin
Tags
History, Tours

Built in 1874 by Captain Arnold and Mary Douglas Arnold.
Tours: June-August Sundays 12-4 p.m. or by appointment.
Special Events: Sweetheart Dinners, Spring Salad Luncheon and Style Show, Founders Day with Old Man, Holiday Soup & Sandwich Lunch, Holiday Tours & Treats, Victorian Christmas Dinners.

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

Business
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Street
502 W. Water Street
City
Decorah
State
IA
563-382-9681
Website
www.vesterheim.org
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Decorah, Iowa
Tags
History, Museum

A national treasure with the most comprehensive collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world, plus festivals, classes, store, group tours and more! Open all year in Decorah, IA. Preserving a heritage. Connecting us all.

Winneshiek County Historical Society

Business
Winneshiek County Historical Society
Street
302 S. Mill Street
City
Decorah
State
IA
563-382-4166
Website
winneshiekcountyhistoricalsociety.com
Category
2025-2026, Decorah, Historical Society and Genealogy
Tags
History

Winona County History Center

Business
Winona County History Center
Street
160 Johnson Street
City
Winona
State
MN
507-454-2723
Website
www.winonahistory.org
Category
2025-2026, Attractions, Historical Society and Genealogy, Minnesota, Winona
Tags
History, Museum

Three floors of exhibits, museum shop, research library and archives. Programs and events.

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136 St. Anthony Street | PO Box 496
Preston, MN. 55965

800-599-0481
A publication of the Fillmore County Journal

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Minnesota Towns

  • Brownsville
  • Caledonia
  • Canton
  • Chatfield
  • Fountain
  • Fremont
  • Harmony
  • Hokah
  • Houston
  • Kellogg
  • La Crescent
  • Lake City
  • Lanesboro
  • LeRoy
  • Mabel
  • Millville
  • Peterson
  • Plainview
  • Preston
  • Red Wing
  • Rushford
  • Rushford Village
  • Spring Grove
  • Spring Valley
  • Wabasha
  • Whalan
  • Winona
  • Wykoff

Iowa Towns

  • Bluffton
  • Burr Oak
  • Cresco
  • Decorah
  • Elkader
  • Hawkeye
  • Highlandville
  • Lansing
  • Lime Springs
  • Marquette-McGregor
  • Riceville
  • Waukon

Wisconsin Towns

  • Alma
  • Bay City
  • Fountain City
  • Galesville
  • La Crosse
  • Nelson
  • Pepin
  • Prairie du Chien
  • Warrens

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